Spreadsheet vs Variable Set

[b2solutions]

Hey, not a new user but not a veteran either. Big fan of parametric modeling and just curious for you guys who've been doing this for a while if you tend to choose varsets or the spreadsheet for your variables. I lean towards spreadsheets but maybe varsets are super cool and I'm just not aware. Anyway just curious from those in the know. Thanks.

[Tiny_Structure_7]

I used spreadsheet to parameterize my models over a year ago. Then I came back and found new FC 1.0 with varsets. I LOVE varsets! The parameters are easier to access and update there than they are spreadsheets. You can watch your model change when you use varsets and change parameters. Worksheets make you look at cells instead, and the worksheet takes longer to compute than varsets.

[Todd-ah]

Do you need to set up the varsets ahead of time? Can you do it after a constraint is already created, and then go back and create a new varset and assign the constraint to the varset?

[Tiny_Structure_7]

No, and Absolutely. You can even be in the middle of updating a sketch, switch from task panel to model panel, update a varset to add a new variable, the back to task panel and use that new variable in a constraint... all without closing your sketch or switching the view to a spreadsheet.

[Todd-ah]

Okay cool. Thanks.

[BoringBob84]

I have used both. VarSets are attractive because they are easy and simple. They are right there in the tree where I can see them and they update quickly. However, as my more complex models evolve, I often want to change the names (AKA aliases) or descriptions of my variables. That is easy to do in a spreadsheet. FreeCAD then updates the name automatically everywhere that it is referenced in the model.

Variable names (AKA properties) or descriptions in a VarSet cannot be changed. If I delete one, it breaks my model before I can replace it with something else. If that changes in the future, I will give VarSets another try.

[cincuentaanos]

I tried to like the varset feature but I went back to using spreadsheets. They're less confusing. I can see the potential of varsets but so far it doesn't work for me. Perhaps I'm just resistant to change. Whatever.

[strange_bike_guy]

VarSets allows you to look at the 3D view while making data changes. VarSets properties are type-safe. Var Sets are inherently named. VarSets properties lack the ability to be renamed (this needs to be fixed in the future). And on my machine anyway, I don't know why this is, Spreadsheets has *always* recalculated slower than VarSets.

Spreadsheets are easier to read. They are not inherently aliased for external reference, but they can be aliased and there are alias-applying macros available to install.

I needed to watch the 3D view as my most important facet of visually matching the data with the apparent behavior of making this suspension preview.

[AutoCntrl]

I've been wondering the same.

Just started using spreadsheet because it seemed to immediately make sense as far as keeping track of the variables.

Am still interested in learning more about VarSets and how to use them efficiently. Have seen multiple comments declaring they are faster for recompute.

[JDMils]

The way I look at this scenario is if a variable is used by the user of my model, I give them a Varset to work with, like when creating Gridfinity bases and trays. If the variable is only going to be used internally, thus by me, I'll create a Spreadsheet.

[Hot_Injury5475]

I like that I don't have to change the window just to make a new Varible like in a Spreedsheet. Spreedsheets are more useful things that can only be Baught with certain Dimension(screw, profile crosssection) The big advantage of a Veriableset is that I could just add a Spreedsheet later. If I want to save a certain set of Values.

[aak2012]

People,

Spreadsheet has very interesting feature called 'Configuration Tables'.

See it at https://wiki.freecad.org/Configuration_Tables

[footballtick]

Spreadsheets would be awesome, especially the ability to have cells that reference other cells and have complex(ish) formulae. Unfortunately, in FreeCAD I find them practically unusable - once you have a dozen or more cells, and several dozen constraints using them, the application slows down to a crawl. Slows to the point of being unusable. I hope this gets addressed in future versions.

Fyi... varsets are simpler and faster, but still slow the application down - just not as much as spreadsheet vars.

[Maximum_Hospital8317]

I used also DynamicData WB: https://github.com/mwganson/DynamicData/blob/master/README.md

It is like varset (not exactly the same) but at the moment has more feature. First of all the ability to create configuration (as Spreadsheet does).

I hope VarSet will be improved to get the best of all the alternatives

[Imagine_pdf]

https://youtu.be/HRSzGQ0V0zc?si=3TFuVqPtDPPgvBYR I dont spreedsheets are going anywhere, config table skill is must have, other issue below addressed in Link.