[M-Connector V2] DB Manager Guide

Introduction

The DB Manager facilitates the seamless import and export of analysis model databases in table format. MIDAS M-Connector allows users to create data tables with headers that strictly follow the MIDAS API format. By parsing modeling data via the API, the DB Manager enables you to integrate your own Excel-based calculation files with MIDAS CIVIL NX.

Pre-Configuration Steps

• Authentication: You must log in with MIDAS MEMBERS and enter the MAPI-Key before performing any Import/Export tasks.
  Note: You can generate or copy the MAPI-Key directly from the MIDAS CIVIL NX API settings.
• Data Consistency: When editing cell data in Excel, ensure the table structure and headers remain unchanged to facilitate a successful Export process.
• Analysis Results: To extract analysis results (Displacements, Forces, etc.), the analysis must be completed in MIDAS CIVIL NX first. Use the specific "Result Table" menu for these tasks.
• Advanced JSON Input: For flexible API usage or complex filtering, users can either directly enter the JSON body or convert table settings to JSON format via the UI.

Please refer to here for details of each button: [M-Connector V2] DB Manager Specifications
Please start with these files:

Import DB from MIDAS NX

Quickly retrieve modeling information from MIDAS CIVIL NX into Excel for review or bulk editing.

• Import example Components: Node, Element, Material, Section, Support, Static Load Case.

Step-by-Step:

1. Access the DB Manager via the M-Connector ribbon menu.
2. Complete the login and MAPI-Key authentication.
3. Create a Folder: Create a new folder and rename it (e.g., "Node/Element").

Open DB Manager, change the sheet name to "Node", and add a folder to control Node data. 

4. Change the spreadsheet name to Node and select the node data category in the table data.

5. Just create a spreadsheet, add folders, and data tables for each component.

Add all different tables and sheets on the Excel.

6. To import all data at once, click the Import all button.

Import all data from MIDAS NX to the Excel.

7. You can check all the spreadsheets filled with your designated components.

The tables will be created based on MIDAS NX modeling information.

Export DB to MIDAS NX

Send edited or newly created data from Excel directly to your MIDAS CIVIL NX model.

1. Export for Modeling: Generate new modeling components such as Nodes, Elements, Materials, and Sections based on numeric data organized in Excel.
   1. The add data method is the same as the import DB manager. The difference is: click the Export button instead of the Import button.
      1. Open a new project and click the Export all button. (Keep the API connection active.)
      2. Be careful: data order is essential. Create elements after creating nodes.

Create a new model based on previously imported model data.

Revise Properties (Recommended for Beginners)

This is the safest workflow for updating existing models.

1. Workflow: Import existing model data > Modify properties (e.g., Section dimensions or Material constants) in Excel > Click Export or Export All to update the model.

Update node Z coordinate from 12 to 20.

Change the value and update only the node table; the model will be updated accordingly. 

2. This method ensures data consistency and is highly efficient for large-scale model updates.

Create Table

Set up the environment for initial data entry.

1. Use this function when generating data for the first time or when managing a specific database category.
2. Click the Create Table button to generate the standard header notes and format required for API compatibility, preventing manual input errors.

The Create Table function generates DB table headers and notes, so you only need to enter proper values.