ODBC Compatibility - Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL)

Required knowledge before using ODBC in Vectorworks:

Vectorworks 2011 introduced the ability to use an ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) interface to communicate with external databases. To use this functionality; ODBC drivers and an ODBC manager are required.

Windows:

There is an integrated ODBC manager and the ‘Microsoft ODBC Driver Pack’ is available with the OS. To use databases like FileMaker Pro, MySQL, Oracle, FoxPro, etc., additional driver packages must be installed. The ODBC manager is available in Control Panel\Administrative Tools\ and it is called ‘Data Sources (ODBC)’. Take into consideration that in 64bit Windows there are two applications – one 32bit and one 64bit. They work with different ODBC drivers. The ‘Microsoft ODBC Driver Pack’ is not available in 64bit version and by default the list of drivers is empty. So, use the 32bit version of the ODBC manager for common purposes.

The 32bit version is located at \Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe and the 64bit version is located at \Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe.

Mac OSX:

There is no integrated ODBC manager, nor drivers. Additional packages must be installed. Here is an article about ODBC drivers and managers: http://kbase.vectorworks.net/questions/858/ODBC+Driver+Information

Before you start using Vectorworks a DSNs (Data Source Name) must be created. It is the name that applications use to request a connection to an ODBC Data Source. In other words, it is a symbolic name that represents the ODBC connection. It stores the connection details like database name, directory, database driver, UserID, password, etc. when making a connection to the ODBC.

There are various types of ODBC Data Source Types such as System DSN, User DSN, FIle DSN. The differences between is in the store location and user privileges. Some drivers may not support all types of DSN, so be careful when create one.

On Mac some keywords Establishing ODBC connection in Vectorworks consists of three steps:

1) Connect to DSN: Tools > Database > Manage Databases. On Macintosh use username ‘admin’ with no password if you don’t have one.

2) Create Record Format Database Connection: Tools > Database > Create Record Format Connection.

3) Create Object Database Connection: Tools > Database > Object Connection.

Windows - Using ODBC to connect to MSSQL files:

Microsoft SQL Server is required, screen shots in the article are made using MSSQL Server 2008 with sample table called ‘New Table:

odbc mssql win1.png

Start ODBC Administrator:

- 32bit version: \Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe;

- 64bit versiom: \Windows\System32\odbcad32.exe.

On the ‘System DSN’ tab click on ‘Add…’ and a dialog ‘Create New Data Source’ will open. Choose ‘SQL Server’ and click ‘Finish’. A wizard will start and enter a name for the data source, e.g. ‘SQL Test’ and enter the server name and the machine where it is located.

odbc mssql win2.png

Click Next, choose the authentication mode, click Next and change the default database and finish the wizard.

Close the ODBC Administrator with OK. Start Vectorworks and go to Tools > Database > Manage Databases. Click on Connect button and choose the DSN ‘SQL Test’ from the popup. Close the dialog with OK and the connection is established. Mark a column as a key and close the dialog with OK.

odbc mssql win3.png

Create the following record format and map its fields to the database columns:

odbc mssql win4.png

Close the dialog with OK and draw a rectangle. Go to data pane in the OIP and attach record Space to it. Go to Tools > Database > Object Connection and select a row from the table:

odbc mssql win5.png

Close the dialog with OK and execute Tools > Database > Update Vectorworks Document and look at the data pane. The record instance is updated. Use Tools > Database > Update External Database to update data in the external database.

odbc mssql win6.png

Mac OSX - Using ODBC to connect to MSSQL files:

Microsoft SQL Server is required, installed on machine in the network. Additional SQL driver and ODBC Manager are required also, For purposes of this demo MSSQL Server 2008 is running on machine with address 192.168.180.45 and a sample database 'Test' with one table called ‘Spaces' are created. On Mac is installed Actual SQL Driver.

odbc mssql mac1.png

Start ODBC Manager and on the ‘System DSN’ tab click on ‘Add…’ and choose 'Actual SQL Server' driver. Click OK and a wizard will start. Enter name for data source, e.g. 'SQL Test', server address and name, choose type if the database (in our case Microsoft SQL Server) , turn on 'Connect to SQL Server' and set the default base to 'Test'. Finish the wizard.

odbc mssql mac2.png

Start Vectorworks and go to Tools > Database > Manage Databases. Click on Connect button and choose the DSN ‘SQL Test’ from the popup. Enter user name with the domain name and password is it is required and close the dialog with OK.

odbc mssql mac3.png

and the connection is established. Mark a column as a key and close the dialog with OK.

odbc mssql mac4.png

Create the following record format and map its fields to the database columns:

odbc mssql mac5.png

Close the dialog with OK and draw a rectangle. Go to data pane in the OIP and attach record Space to it. Go to Tools > Database > Object Connection and select a row from the table:

odbc mssql mac6.png