Restricting Characteristics with a Variant Table 

Purpose

You can use variant tables, containing valid combinations of values, to restrict the allowed values of a characteristic. You refer to the variant table in a constraint.

You need not define value assignment alternatives to restrict values in the variant table.

Prerequisites

The characteristics (of the class) whose allowed values you want to restrict must be defined as restrictable.

Process Flow

1.         You create a variant table, entering the characteristics with the valid combinations of values.

In each table line, enter at least one valid value for the characteristic you want to restrict. If a table line does not contain a value for the characteristic, the value set inferred during configuration is empty, which triggers an inconsistency.

2.         Create a constraint.

In the RESTRICTIONS section, you link the characteristics of the class to the characteristics of the table.

In the INFERENCES section, you enter the characteristic whose allowed values you want to restrict.

3.         Assign the dependency net with the constraint to the configuration profile of the material.

Result

When you configure the material, only the valid values are displayed for the restrictable characteristic.

You cannot manually extend the restricted allowed values of the characteristic later. To extend the allowed values again, you must delete the characteristic value that restricted them.

To display the hidden values, choose View -> Scope and select Excluded.