Description:
The SolidWorks API (Application Programmer's Interface) is a
group of functions that provides direct access to SolidWorks
functionality such as creating a line, extruding a boss, or
outputting a certain file format.
Everyday SolidWorks users perform repetitive tasks that could be
eliminated through the use of automation - Batch plotting, custom
property access, assembly "configurators" are just a few examples.
The SolidWorks API is the gateway to automating these tasks. This
course will teach the use of Visual Basic, VBA and SolidWorks
macros to access the API and focus on the fundamental skills and
concepts central to successfully building automation tools.
Some examples of what's possible using the SolidWorks API:
- Create an application that can take any sheet metal part,
generate its flat pattern and output it as a DXF file for use in a
manufacturing environment.
- Create an application that can take all the drawings associated
with a project and print them at one time with no user
interaction.
- Create an application that controls the custom properties of a
part within the company standards that you define. For example,
create pull-down lists for applying materials, use check boxes to
indicate whether the part should be heat treated or not or select
the parts Created By name from a List Box.
- Create an application that would take the input of a sales
person, build a custom design and automatically generate an
eDrawing of the new product for delivery to the customer.
- Create an application that could access any project, query the
design, generate a Bill of Material and output it in a format
suitable for MRP integration.
- Create an application that could generate a custom hole chart
based on a coordinate system and any part
Duration:
3 days
Prerequisites:
SolidWorks Fundamentals
Programming experience with modern languages such as vb.net
Topics:
The topics for this course include
- 1/2 day Introduction to the Visual Basic programming
language
- Using the SolidWorks Macro Recorder to create baseline
automation projects
- Connecting to SolidWorks from outside applications like Excel
or a VB form
- Understanding how the SolidWorks API Object Model is
structured, searched and accessed to incorporate in your
applications
- Navigating the tree-structured, API help file to find needed
functions
- Students are guided through the following automation case
studies focusing on specific areas of the API:
- Working with System and Document Defaults
- Part Automation - automatic building of parts completely
outside the SolidWorks interface
- Drawing Automation - creating automatic detail drawings from
any model
- Working with Custom Properties from your own application
