Customizing catalogs

You can customize the catalogs for Simcenter 3D Thermal/Flow, Simcenter 3D Electronic Systems Cooling, and Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal only when the catalog files are located on a computer drive or network drive to which you have write permissions.

Set the MAYA_TMG_CATALOG_DIR environment variable to specify your custom folder in which you want to store these catalog files. Ensure that the catalog files have the same names as the catalog files in the default folder, which is: [software_installation]\NXCAE_extras\tmg\if\catalogs.

The names of the catalog files in the default folder are:

• component.xml for the PCB component catalog

• correction.xml for the duct correction catalog

• fan.xml for the fan catalog

You also need to copy the femcatalog.dtd file to your custom folder.

Note:

If the catalog names in the XML files located in the default folder and in your custom folder are the same, the catalog that is located in the default folder has precedence and is loaded in this software. To have both catalogs loaded in this software, modify the name of the catalog stored in the XML file located in your custom folder.

Editing using a spreadsheet application

You can directly modify the XML files using an XML editor, or you can modify catalog items using a spreadsheet application, such as Excel. To modify catalogs using a spreadsheet, right-click the catalog name and choose Edit using spreadsheet.

There are three sections of data when you edit the catalog file in the spreadsheet application.

Header

The header contains the first three rows. The first two rows tell the software which data in the catalog should be presented in the spreadsheet and which data should be brought into the model. You should not typically modify these rows. The third row contains the catalog name.

Multiline data rows

The multiline data rows are primarily used to reference a series of fan curve data points in a table of fan curves. These rows allow you to define a longer description across multiple lines. However, the multiline rows clutter the spreadsheet view of the catalog. Consider using short descriptions that fit directly into the item data.

Catalog data

This is the main section of the catalog that contains all the data entries. Each row corresponds to an item that can be selected in this software's dialog boxes. You typically modify and add data to the catalog data section of the spreadsheet.

When you enter new data in the spreadsheet, avoid using commas or any special characters so that the XML file converts correctly to the CSV file that is modified by the spreadsheet application.

While you modify the catalog in the spreadsheet application, this software is locked and you cannot use it. When you close the spreadsheet in Excel, this software converts the CSV file to the XML file and updates the value in the catalog dialog box.

Note:

You cannot use the following characters in the catalog files: <, &, >, ", ', #, and the carriage return.

When you modify a catalog using a spreadsheet application, the software removes all comments from the original XML file. The catalogs folder also contains component(Commented).xml, correction(Commented).xml, and fan(Commented).xml, which contain comments to help you understand different parts of the files if you want to modify them manually.

Where do I find it?

Opening the catalogs

Application	Pre/Post
Command Finder	(PCB component catalog) PCB Component (Duct correction catalog) Modeling Objects → Duct Convection Correction → Create(Fan catalog) Flow Boundary Condition
Menu	(Duct correction catalog) Insert → Modeling Objects → Duct Convection Correction → Create
Simulation Navigator	(PCB component catalog) Right-click the Simulation Objects node→New Simulation Object→PCB Component(Fan catalog) Right-click the Simulation Objects node→New Simulation Object→Flow Boundary Condition
Location in dialog box	(PCB component catalog) Component Model group→Component Catalog (Duct correction catalog) Properties group→Correction Catalog (Fan catalog) Magnitude group→Mode list→Fan Curve→Fan Catalog

Editing catalog content

Location in dialog box	Item group→right-click the catalog name→Edit using spreadsheet

Learn more

Simcenter 3D Thermal/Flow

Simcenter 3D Electronic Systems Cooling

Simcenter 3D Space Systems Thermal

Thermal solver features

Flow solver features

Duct Convection Correction modeling object

Working with fan curves

Look up more details

Supported features in Simcenter 3D Thermal/Flow, Space Systems Thermal, and Electronic Systems Cooling solutions

Thermal and flow solver reference manuals

PCB Component catalog

Sample PCB component catalog file in a spreadsheet application

Quick links

Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

Simcenter 3D tutorials

Browse Simcenter 3D help by product area

Simcenter 3D Thermal/Flow, Electronic Systems Cooling, and Space Systems Thermal boundary conditions

Customizing catalogs, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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