Overview of Database Explorer
Your library is likely going to be uniquely different from that of another company. It is essential to back up your data as often as you feel necessary to maintain the integrity of your data. After all, your data is YOUR data. Microvellum does not keep a backup of your library data. This feature is considered an advanced area of the platform and any changes need to be thoughtfully made. Use under your own discretion.
Database Explorer is the quickest way to access your library data. From Database Explorer, you can export, import, and edit products, subassemblies, specification groups, and room components.
To access Database Explorer, open the Microvellum Options and click on the Database Explorer button under the Utilities tab. You can also add a Database Explorer button to your Microvellum Toolbox Custom Toolbar for easier access.
Database is comprised of three windows. The window on the left displays the Microvellum data. The center window is used to browse the drives/folders on your local machine. The window on the right displays the contents of the selected folder.
The Options menu allows you to load project data to the selection set in the left window. You will notice that there are options to show global images, product prompt images, machine token images, and AutoCAD drawings. These are available for backward compatibility. Newer libraries do not have those items stored in a database; they have been moved to a file directory.
Expanding a category from the data window will display the subcategories and the files contained. Files can be exported by selecting a category, or files within a category, and then dragging the selection to the window on the right side.
Dragging files or folders from the right window back to the database window will import the selection.
When right-clicking on a selected category, the following menu will be
displayed:
1. Delete Selected Item(s) – Allows you to delete categories and files.
2. Restore Items(s) – Allows you to restore items to their previous state.
3. Set New Image – Allows you to specify a new image file for a product or subassembly.
4. Set New Name – Allows you to rename a category or file.
5. Set as Default Library Category – Allows you to set the selected category as the default category displayed when the Draw tools are accessed.
6. Cut – Allows you to cut a category or file.
7. Copy – Allows you to copy a category or file.
8. Paste – Allows you to paste a category or file.
9. Add Category – Allows you to add a new category under a parent category.
10. Find – Allows you to type the name of a product and browse to its stored location.
The files contained in the categories can be opened in Workbook Designer. Double-click on a file to open its contents. Saving changes through Database Explorer are being saved directly to your library data. It is recommended to create a backup of your data before making changes to files.
Database Explorer can also be used to create backups of your library and/or
project files.
Specification Groups
Library Specification Groups are included in the database by default. These are your template specification files. Any time you create a project these are the files that are going to be cloned. Double clicking on any of the Specification Groups opens the Workbook Designer to give you the ability to make changes. It is recommended to make changes such as a name or setting change in the Toolbox User Interface as the workflow is more user-friendly.
Project Specification Groups are only available by loading
them. Select Options in the top left and select Load Projects from the drop-down
menu. Project Specification Groups are left out of the Database by default as
it increases loading time with the more projects present in the database. It is useful to be able to load projects to the Database to have the ability to save project specific settings to your local machine.
Moving Products from the Library to a Local copy
To pull multiple products out of the database, select the
first product you want to transfer and while holding down the shift key select
the second product. All products between these two will now be highlighted. Drag
and drop the products into the right window after designating the desired
folder location in the center window.
Related Articles
Overview of Workbook Designer
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the Workbook Designer feature. How to Access the Workbook Designer The most commonly used method for accessing Workbook Designer is through the Edit Design Data feature, which can be accessed ...Database Management Utilities (Reference)
NOTICE: The Database Management Utility is a powerful tool that modifies large sections of data in the current configuration. ALWAYS back up your data before performing a data import. The Library Import functionality of Database Management is ...Database Management Utilities (Overview)
NOTICE: The Database Management Utility is a powerful tool that modifies large sections of data in the current configuration. ALWAYS back up your data before performing a data import. The Library Import functionality of Database Management is ...Overview of Custom Calculators
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the Custom Calculators feature. This tool allows you to quickly and accurately calculate the widths that are within your products or subassemblies, such as bay openings or drawer fronts. How to ...Using Library Designer - Beginner's Guide
Microvellum's Library Designer provides users with an impressive amount of power and control over their product data. It's a tool used by engineers to quickly make sweeping changes to groups of prompts, sub-assemblies, parts, products, and more. It's ...
Recent Articles
Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1105.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1105.641 Nesting Fix Fig. 1: The fatal error that would occur during processing. There was reportedly an issue that occurred when clients attempted to process a work order using the nesting ...Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 24.1025
The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 24.1025. Additions Added new global variable “Remove Stop Dado On Bottom Edge” for wood drawer boxes. Check this option to run the dado through at the bottom of the sub front ...Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1030.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1030.641 Routing and Profile Fixes Several issues were found with routing and polyline paths: Fig. 1: Horizontal routes off of a part disappearing (left) and appearing correctly (right). When ...Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1010.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1010.641 Biesse Winstore Fix Several issues with the Biesse Winstore plugin have been resolved: There was an issue that would sometimes occur wherein materials that were intended to stack wound ...Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1001.641
The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 24.1.1001.641 HBore Toolfile Fix Fig. 1: The location in the Toolfile UI where the error would occur. There was an issue reported with the functionality of the Horizontal Boring Machine setting in ...