I have written a .Net application to centrally manage our Company's Materials Database. This application writes out a replacement "solidworks materials.sldmat" file containing all of our approved Materials. This works great so far, with all users pointed to this main database.
I would like to utilize the Physical Properties section to show a reference to the Material ID in the SQL database used by the .Net application. This will allow us to write an add-in that accesses data in our Agile CM system.
The problem is that I can't seem to find a unused "physicalproperties" element (in the sldmaterials.xsd) where SW doesn't convert the value. Both the Poissons (NUXY) and Thermal Expansion (ALPX) elements are presented in the Physical Properties window without conversion. I have tried all of the unused elements, but all end up as converted values.
Example: Becomes: Material ID 0.0341935 N/in^2 Instead of: Material ID 53
I have also created a new complextype in the .xsd, and assigned the Material ID value to this type. Same result! SW seems to want to convert everything but Poissons and Thermal Expansion!
I have searched high and low trying to find where SW "maps" which values to perform conversions on - no dice. So, I am asking for your help - how can I make this program behave?!?
Thanks in advance for your assistance! Eric