Question

How do I start using the Solidworks API?

Asked by: Naerwen

All,

I am not a programmer in anyway. However, I have been tasked with the project of using the Solidworks API to automate the quoting process here. What they want is to read the dimensional data from a simple object in Solidworks [physical, not related to programming] and the run it through an algorithm that spits out a $ value and prints it out all pretty.

Questions:

1.) Where do I start? I.E can I use the VBA Editor in DWG component ... if so how the hell does that thing work?? ... Or should I use MS VB Express IDE...? By this question I mean, where/how do I bang out the code, compile (or interpret) to see some kind of result?

Thank you,

Naerwen

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Asked On
2008-10-27 at 07:56:27ID23850628
Tags

Dassault Systems

,

Solidworks

,

2008

,

API

Topics

SolidWorks CAD Software

,

AutoCAD Software

Participating Experts
1
Points
500
Comments
1

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Answers

 

by: meintsiPosted on 2008-10-28 at 07:54:15ID: 22822435

There are several places you can use to get started ..

1. WIth SolidWorks running, there is an "API Help" in the HELP menu containing sample projects, examples and tips.
2. You can access the VB interface via TOOLS - MACRO - NEW.
3. You access the SW API if you add the following references to the VB Express project.
          SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks
          SolidWorks.Interop.swcommands
          SoildWorks.Interop.const
(I think think you only need to add these 3 for basic programming.)
4. Info at the SW website  Http://www.solidworks.com/pages/servicess/APISupport.html

You will need to traverse the SW Feature Manager Tree of the assembly, and pull relevent component information for data manipulation.
Printing the data 'with no programming experience' will become the biggest hurdle.

Overall, not a small or easy task for a person WITH programming experience.

Alternate Option:  There may be a "Partner Product" availiable to do this.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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