XML File Format

Dr. Frame3D uses XML for its native file format. This opens up many possibilities for data exchange and reporting, particularly with web-based databases. The easiest way to examine the file format is to save a simple model, and the open the file with any text editor, or with an xml-aware application like a web browser.

Geometry Import

In addition to its native file format, Dr. Frame3D can import geometric data according to either of two simple XML formats:

1. The example file shown below illustrates a relatively verbose xml-based input file format intended for importing basic geometry and connectivity information:

   <?xml version="1.0" ?>
   <DrFrameGeometry1a>
   	<Units>
   		<LengthUnit> ft </LengthUnit>
   	</Units>
   	<JointList>
   		<Joint>
   			<xyzLoc> 0.0 0.0 </xyzLoc>
   			<ID> 0 </ID>
   		</Joint>
   		<Joint>
   			<xyzLoc> 0.0 10.0 </xyzLoc>
   			<ID> 1 </ID>
   		</Joint>
   		<Joint>
   			<xyzLoc> 15.0 10.0 </xyzLoc>
   			<ID> 2 </ID>
   		</Joint>
   		<Joint>
   			<xyzLoc> 15.0 0.0 </xyzLoc>
   			<ID> 3 </ID>
   		</Joint>
   	</JointList>
   	<MemberList>
   		<Member>
   			<EndJoints> 0 1	</EndJoints>
   			<EndFixity>	fixed-fixed </EndFixity>
   		</Member>
   		<Member>
   			<EndJoints> 1 2	</EndJoints>
   			<EndFixity>	fixed-fixed </EndFixity>
   		</Member>
   		<Member>
   			<EndJoints> 2 3	</EndJoints>
   			<EndFixity>	fixed-fixed </EndFixity>
   		</Member>	
   	</MemberList>
   	<SupportList>
   		<Support>
   			<atJoint> 0 </atJoint>
   			<Fixity> fixed </Fixity>
   		</Support>
   		<Support>
   			<atJoint> 3 </atJoint>
   			<Fixity> pinned </Fixity>
   		</Support>
   	</SupportList>
   </DrFrameGeometry1a>
            
            

   Importing this file gives the following simple frame:

   
2. An alternative format, more amenable for hand editing is illustrated below:

   <?xml version="1.0" ?>
   <DrFrameGeometry_Short3D_1a>
   
        <Units> 
             <LengthUnit> ft </LengthUnit>
        </Units> 
   
        <JointList> 
             A    20	24	0  
             1    20	24	20  
             2    20	12	20  
             3    0	12	20  
             4    20	0	20  
             5    0	0	20  
             6    20	12	0  
             7    0	12	0  
             8    20	0	0  
             9    0	0	0  
        </JointList> 
   
        <MemberList> 
            3 2  fixed-fixed
            7 3  fixed-fixed
            5 3  fixed-fixed
            6 2  fixed-fixed
            4 2  fixed-fixed
            7 6  fixed-fixed
            9 7  fixed-fixed
            8 6  fixed-fixed
            1 A  fixed-fixed
            2 1  fixed-fixed
            3 1  fixed-fixed
            6 A  fixed-fixed
            7 A  fixed-fixed
        </MemberList> 
   
        <SupportList> 
   	4	fixed	0 1 0
   	5	fixed	0 1 0
   	8	fixed	0 1 0
   	9	fixed	0 1 0
        </SupportList> 
   
   </DrFrameGeometry_Short3D_1a>

   Note that these file formats allow arbitrary labeling for node ID's. Importing this file gives the model shown below: As can be seen, this model has the same geometry as the default start-up structure.
In each case, the idea is to do the majority of the model editing within the Dr. Frame3D environment itself once the basic model data have been imported.