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Training - SolidWorks API Fundamentals and Intro to VB Programming
| 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
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| Duration: |
3 days |
| Prerequisites: |
SolidWorks Fundamentals
Programming experience with modern languages such as vb.net |
| Topics: |
The topics for this course include ...
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1/2 day Introduction to the Visual Basic programming language
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Using the SolidWorks Macro Recorder to create baseline automation projects
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Connecting to SolidWorks from outside applications like Excel or a VB form
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Understanding how the SolidWorks API Object Model is structured, searched and accessed to incorporate in your applications
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Navigating the tree-structured, API help file to find needed functions
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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
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