REXDESK: download and export your logs

Download the logs from a REXGEN and turn them into the files your analysis tools read, raw or decoded with a DBC.

Raw and decoded formats

A REXGEN records raw frames into a log file on its internal storage. REXDESK converts that file in two ways: as raw frames, for trace tools, or as physical values decoded with a DBC file, for analysis.

The data log window can also export XML and Parquet. When exporting to CSV or MAT, REXDESK can resample the data. Resampling is optional and does not apply when you merge files.

Internal storage window

Connect the logger over USB and select Internal Storage on the toolbar. The window lists every log on the logger with its start time, end time and size. The bottom of the window shows the storage version and type, the free space and the number of files.

Refresh

Reads the list again.

Download

Copies the selected logs to the PC in the format you choose, or opens Advanced export.

Show datalog

Opens the selected log in the data log window, to view and export it.

Format SD

Formats the logger's internal storage.

Find

The box and magnifier search the list for log files.

Download raw logs

1. Open Internal Storage. Connect the logger over USB and select Internal Storage on the toolbar.
2. Select the logs. Select one log, or hold Ctrl or Shift to select several.
3. Choose a format. Open the Download menu and select a format. Each selected log is converted to its own file.

   

4. Save the files. Choose a folder and save.

Watch: Retrieve raw data from a REXGEN series logger (0:52)

One-click export with a linked DBC

Link a DBC to the buses once, and every download in MDF4, CSV or MAT comes out decoded.

1. Import the DBC. In the Library panel, select Import DBC and choose the file.
2. Link it to the buses. A window asks which buses to link the DBC with. Tick the buses it describes and select OK.

   

3. Download the logs. Open Internal Storage, select the logs and select Download.
4. Save the files. Choose the format and the folder, then select Save. REXDESK converts the raw data to physical values with the DBC you linked.

Watch: Export files using the DBC file (0:48)

Export selected signals with a DBC

To export only some messages or signals, assign them to the buses in the Export data window.

1. Open the export window. In Internal Storage, select the logs, open Download and select Advanced.
2. Set the output. On the General tab, choose MDF4, MAT or CSV as the Output format. For CSV you can tick Use full date/time format. Tick Merge all input files into single output file to join several logs into one file. Set the Output location.

   

3. Load the DBC. On the Database tab, select the load DBC button and choose the file.
4. Assign messages or signals. Drag the whole DBC, a message or a single signal from the left onto the bus it belongs to on the right.

   

5. Process the logs. Select Process. REXDESK decodes the raw data and saves the result to the output location.

Watch: Advanced export options for multiple files in REXDESK (0:56)

View and export a log

Select a log in Internal Storage, then select Show datalog. To open log files already on the PC, use File > Import Recorded Data. The data log window has three tabs:

• Trace shows the raw frames: time, bus, identifier, flags, data length and data.
• Config is the export configurator. Use it to import a DBC, assign it to the buses and export decoded data as MDF4, CSV or MAT.
• Chart plots the data.

Export saves the loaded log as MDF4, CSV, MAT, ASC, BLF, XML, TRC, RXD or Parquet. MDF4, MAT and CSV carry decoded physical values. MDF4, ASC, TRC and BLF carry raw CAN and CAN FD frames.

Watch: Import RXD files in REXDESK and convert them with or without a DBC (1:38)

Export settings window

Export Settings on the toolbar sets the same assignment for the whole project. Import a DBC, then assign all its signals, or only the messages and signals you choose, to each CAN or CAN FD bus. Exports to MDF4, CSV and MAT then carry physical values.

To convert many logs without opening REXDESK, use the command line. See REXDESK: convert, configure and reflash from the command line. For a primer on DBC files, read Understanding CAN DBC.

Next: REXDESK: filter CAN IDs, J1939 PGNs and UDS requests.