Microsoft Excel Shape Search Powered by CADseek

iSEEK Corporation has developed an add-in for Microsoft Excel, as demonstrated in the demo movie below, to enable users to perform shape searches to identify duplicate or similar parts or assemblies. Performing the shape search function using Excel does not require any knowledge of CAD or PLM. The shape search is triggered inside Excel and the search results are displayed in an Excel spreadsheet.

iSEEK Corporation is once again introducing a new shape-based search application to complement the suite of products already available for the classification and identification of existing designs based on their geometric shape. This latest offering is a shape search add-in for Microsoft Excel, as shown in the demo movie at the end of this press release.

Once the company’s CAD database has been coded, classified and made available on a CADseek server installation, this new add-in allows Microsoft Excel to be used as the front-end or the interface to search for parts or assemblies based on attributes alone, shape alone or a combination of the two. 

The Microsoft Excel CADseek Add-in was designed and implemented with the goal of making CADseek's shape search capabilities and benefits accessible to users without requiring any CAD or PLM training.

Dr. David Lastine, Product Development Specialist

iSEEK Corporation has developed all of its applications for ease of use requiring very little formal training. Unlike complex CAD and PLM systems that require lengthy instruction and practice sessions, one can begin using present CADseek products in less than an hour. The CADseek Microsoft Excel Add-In takes that concept even further, building on the existing ability of so many in industry familiar with Excel to transition seamlessly to powerful attribute and shape search of 3D CAD databases. In particular, for those in such functions as supply chain management, production operations, and field replacement, search and identification of existing parts and assemblies quickly provides them with the information they need to make informed decisions.

Once the add-in has been installed, a CADseek icon appears on the Excel menu ribbon. Once the user selects the icon, a search panel appears down the right-hand side of the Excel spreadsheet to provide options for dataset selection, as well as for input of criteria for shape and attribute search. The functionality is clearly detailed in the accompanying YouTube video.

iSEEK Corporation has developed a number of shape-based products including CADseek Polaris and CADseek Connect which can operate in standalone mode or integrated with CAD and PLM for the classification and shape search of CAD datasets; CADseek Analytics for analysis of entire datasets for detection of duplicates and highly similar designs; CADseek Mobile that is able to search a 3D database using a 2D photo of a physical object as input; and ShapeID that can quickly identify a physical object and others with similar shape from a QR label. Each of these products can also incorporate attribute information to initiate a search or filter the final results of a shape-based search.

For more information or to request a web demo of any of these products, visit the website at www.iseekcorp.com or e-mail info@iseekcorp.com.

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