About the Data Structure
The data structure in Creo Expert Moldbase Extension 10.0 and later is different from the data structure in earlier releases. In Creo Expert Moldbase Extension 10.0 and later, there is a separate *.dat file for each component. The *.dat file contains all information required for the following:
• The component data such as assembly constraints, nominal values, and instances
• The entire cut-information such as UDFs and UDF options
The comp_data.txt file contains a listing of available component types so that you can sort the order in the selection list and change the description text.
The advantages of using .dat files are listed below:
• Less content for each file, making it easier to manipulate and organize.
• Individual files make it easy to transfer components from one custom configuration to another.
• The UDF section can be changed for each component individually.
You can migrate comp_data.txt and udf_data.txt files to *.dat files or continue to use the data structure from previous releases.
Data Structure in Creo Expert Moldbase Extension 9.0 and Earlier
The data structure in Creo Expert Moldbase Extension 9.0 and earlier is also supported. In Creo Expert Moldbase Extension 9.0 and earlier, the component data of component types such as the cooling and locating component types for suppliers, are listed in comp_data.txt files. Additionally, the user–defined feature (UDF) information for each component is hosted for all component types in the udf_data.txt file. From the Component Editor dialog box, EMX administrators have direct access to the comp_data file.txt, but not to the udf_data.txt information. Therefore, manual editing of udf_data.txt in Creo Expert Moldbase Extension 9.0 and earlier is required. As the result of rising demands in new components and UDF flexibility, the following occurs in Creo Expert Moldbase Extension 9.0 and earlier:
• The comp_data.txt and udf_data.txt files are more complex.
• There is a higher–level of effort for EMX administrators to edit components.