API Fundamentals

Length: 3 Days

Prerequisites: SolidWorks Essentials, Visual Basic programming.

Description: API Fundamentals teaches you how to use the SolidWorks API (Application Programming Interface) to automate and customize SolidWorks.

The topics covered in this course are:

Introduction

• About This Course
• Getting Started
• Macro Recording Tips

Lesson 1: Using the Macro Recorder

• Macro Recording
• Macro Toolbar
• Understanding How Macro Code Works
• Understanding How to Call Members on API Interfaces
• Passing Parameters
• Cleaning Up Code
• Adding Forms to a Macro

Lesson 2: The API Object Model

• SolidWorks API Object Model
• Application Objects
• Case Study: Connecting to New Documents
• Case Study: Connecting to Existing Documents

Lesson 3: Setting System Options and Document Properties

• User Preferences - System Options
• User Preferences - Document Properties
• Locating the Correct APIs and Enumeration Values
• UserPreference Tables For System Options
• UserPreference Tables For Document Properties

Lesson 4: Automating Part Design

• Case Study: Automation Tool for Parts

Lesson 5: Assembly Automation

• Case Study: Automation Tool for Assemblies

Lesson 6: Drawing Automation

• Case Study: Automating Drawing Creation

Lesson 7: Selection and Traversal Techniques

• Case Study: Programming With a Selected Object
• The SolidWorks BREP Model
• Case Study: Body and Face Traversal
• Case Study: Feature Manager Traversal

Lesson 8: Adding Custom Properties and Attributes

• Case Study: Custom Properties
• Case Study: Configurations With Custom Properties
• Case Study: File Summary Information
• Case Study: Document Attributes
• The Attribute Objects
• Case Study: Face Attributes

Lesson 9: The SolidWorks API SDK

• The API SDK
• Case Study: Creating a VB.NET Add-In
• Case Study: Creating a C# Add-In
• Case Study: C++ Add-Ins
• Choosing a Programming Language

Lesson 10: Customizing the SolidWorks User Interface

• Case Study: Customizing the UI With VB.NET
• Understanding The Add-in Code
• Property Pages
• Property Page Groups and Controls
• Removing Menus and Toolbars
• Other Areas of Customization

Lesson 11: Notifications

• Notifications
• Notifications in VBA
• Case Study: Simple Notification
• Case Study: Using Notifications in .NET

Appendix

• Macro Feature
• Batch Conversion 1
• Batch Conversion 2
• Assembly Traversal
• Custom Model View