How to add custom Frame Values to your Structures

A little while ago, we had a Reseller that was looking to change the Frame value for her Structures.  They were using this Frame data in their Labels and wanted to be able to add specific data in here.  Hmmm.  This was a good one.  With some help from Jason, we found out how to edit this data, as needed. 

The Frame data is stored in the original XML file. This is set up as having a single value of “standard” and needs to be manually edited to show more options.  However, it is pretty easy to edit this XML file to give you as many Frame value options as you need.

1. First, you need to download an application to edit the XML file. Microsoft provides a free utility called XML Notepad 2007. This can be downloaded here:
   http://www.microsoft.com/DownLoads/details.aspx?FamilyID=72d6aa49-787d-4118-ba5f-4f30fe913628&displaylang=en
2. Once installed, we will need to edit this file: AeccSharedPropertyLists.xml
   It can be found here (I would suggest making a copy of the original as a backup.):
   
   XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Autodesk\C3d 2009\enu\pipes catalog
   
   Vista: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\C3D 2009\enu\Pipes Catalog
   
3. In the Tree View, expand out LandPart, and then expand out ColumnConstList. There will be several of these. It should be the first one, but you can confirm the correct one by looking at the value for “desc” – it will be “Frame” (on the right side). See screenshot:
   
   
4. Expand “Item” and you will see that the value for #text is “Standard”
   Right-click on “Item” and select Copy. Now right-click on ColumnConstList and select Paste.
5. You should now have 2 Item folders. In the second one, go to the #text and change the value from Standard to whatever you want. See screenshot:
   
   
6. Rinse, lather, repeat. Save when finished.
7. Now when you add a new part you will have drop-down menu of your new Frame values. I tested this out by adding a new part, labeling it, and then going back to edit the part. This stuck fine and I did not see any issues.

So that’s it in a nutshell.  I know this probably won’t be used by most of you.  But hopefully there was a few of you out there who were wondering if this was possible.

Enjoy the weekend!