Library Performance refers to the speed at which products are rendered in 2D and 3D, as well as the speed of creating and processing work orders. There are multiple factors that can affect Library Performance, as the spreadsheets product libraries are hosted in are a powerful tool and the sheer number of formulas and variables in one’s Library can take time for your computer to process. To help mitigate slow performance times multiple measures can be taken.

Skip Spreadsheet Sync

Hardware materials in the Foundation Library can be set to skip spreadsheet synchronization. For greater detail on spreadsheet synchronization, visit the following article on the topic. All Microvellum materials automatically synchronize between the database and the spreadsheet when their respective specification group is accessed, to ensure the data remains accurate. Depending on the number of materials in one's library or project, this can slow down performance. To remedy this, hardware materials (exclusively) can be set to not synchronize between the database and the spreadsheet, which can speed up the processing time of one's specification groups, and thus, increase library performance.

Avoid Volatile Functions

When working in a product's spreadsheet, various different functions can be added to the formula for usage with the data. However, volatile functions run the risk of slowing processing speed when added to a product's spreadsheet. Volatile functions are functions with results that change every single time they are recalculated, even if their arguments remain unaltered. This is usually due to the argument itself being based on an external factor that doesn't remain consistent, such as the date or time. Some examples include arguments like OFFSET, NOW, TODAY, SUMIF, or INFO. For more information on volatile functions, visit the following Microsoft support article. As such, any volatile arguments in formulas or cells should be used sparingly.

Reduce Custom VLOOKUP Options

The Foundation Library's VLOOKUP tables allow users to manually add custom options for parts, hardware, prompt options, and more. For more information about Lookup Tables and their function within the Foundation Library, visit the following article. A high number of additional columns and rows in the VLOOKUP Table of a workbook can slow down performance speed. As such, be aware of the number of custom entries you add, as fewer additional VLOOKUP options will enhance the loading speed of one's library of products.

Database Management Tools

The Database Management utility has a number of tools available that can speed up the performance of the product library, if used. 3 of these options' focus on cleaning up orphaned files, files that refer to or are coded to tie to a parent category/file/record that no longer exists. Orphaned records in Microvellum may be the result of long-term management of one's database, as categories are deleted, moved, renamed, etc. As such, removing these orphan records can increase the processing speed of the software. For more information about the Database Management utility tools, visit the Database Management Utilities (Reference) article.

• The Clean Up Materials in Spreadsheet: This option removes orphaned materials in the spreadsheet, marking them for deletion.

• Clean Up Orphan Records: This option locates orphaned records, then allows you to delete them selectively.

• Clean Up Orphan Categories: This option locates and deletes any orphan categories in the library.

Delete Old Work Orders

Deleting and exporting old Work Orders is another measure to take to improve the performance of Microvellum. Old work orders that are not intended to be used again or modified can be safely deleted after being processed.

To do so, one can navigate to the Database Management utility (Microvellum Settings > Options > Utilities > Database Management) and click on the "Work Order Properties" option. This will open an interface displaying all work orders marked with the "Manufacturing Active" status (the default status of work orders). Work orders that are no longer needed can be safely deleted by right-clicking and selecting "Delete Work Order".

If there is any uncertainty about whether a work order is obsolete and will never need to be used again, it is recommended to back up the work order before deleting it. Backing up a work order can be done in the Database Records interface, by simply selecting the "Work Orders" category. Export the work order to the desired location using the 'Export from to Selected Target' feature (select the ellipses button to select the location) and then clicking 'Transfer'.