The SolidWorks API allows users to automate tasks in SolidWorks, thereby increasing productivity. Nevertheless, the learning the SolidWorks API can be a challenge if you don’t know where to start. In this post I want to answer the question, “What does it take to learn the SolidWorks API?”
Those interested in the SolidWorks API typically fall into one of two categories:
- Those wanting to hire someone who knows the SolidWorks API to write custom macros and addins.
- Those wanting to learn the SolidWorks API on their own, in order to write custom macros and addins.
As with any other discipline, there is always a tradeoff between time and money. If you have money but not time, you need a consultant. If you have time but not money, you may consider learning the discipline yourself.
Most engineers interested in the API fall into the second category. Then again, what engineer really has gobs of time to spend learning a new discipline? Not many of us do. Nevertheless, I can help you develop a general idea of how long it will take you to learn the API—assuming you use the best resources available.
Continue reading ‘What does it take to learn the SolidWorks API?’
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Redlight forever!
I’m pleased to see that some people are still looking for the “RedLight” tool I developed at DynaBits back in 2003. I therefore decided to make it available again here, especially because it has a button that points to my PayPal account which is still valid, and, just to mention, no one never ever paid a single $, € or CHF for RedLight …
Technically, since this is a blog about API, the trick is to stop a rebuild when it starts by handling the RegenNotify event and exploiting this information from the API help : “Return S_FALSE to stop from proceeding with the action that caused the notification.”
Below is a copy of the (old) page about RedLight on DynaBits’ web site:
“RedLight” is a FREE add-in for SolidWorks to avoid (automatic) rebuilds and measure edit/idle time.
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Tags: solidworks api
OBJ+MTL exporter
This macro exports parts and (simple) assemblies to Alias OBJ format, generating a corresponding MTL material file at the same time.
This will evolve towards an exporter to Hyperion soon …
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Tags: solidworks api
Layers
SolidWorks macro to organise segments from an imported dxf/dwg by color on layers
Imagine you get a large dxf or dwg which has been colorized by hand, without using layers. This macro will let you edit the drawing cleanly in SolidWorks, by placing all segments with the same color on specific layers.
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Tags: solidworks api
ViewSize
Macro to resize the model view for screen captures
Saving your models as pictures for documentation ? Then you know the problem : the images will have 912×534 pixels one day and 1143×712 the day after. If you don’t want to edit your images in a second step, here is a macro that sets the graphic area to a specified size:
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Tags: solidworks api
AddWeldMass
Solidworks macro to add mass/weight custom properties for cut lists
If you want to list weights of welded parts in a cut list, you’ll have to add properties to weldments by hand, one by one …
Here is a macro that does it automatically.
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Tags: solidworks api
Scale Texture
SolidWorks Macro to adjust texture scale to configurations sizes
If you need to adjust the material texture to many different sizes (configurations) of a part, here is a macro for you:
Continue reading ‘Scale Texture’
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Tags: solidworks api
About DynaBits
DynaBits is now out of business. Read its story, achievements and my personal (bitter) thoughts about this defunct startup.
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Tags: solidworks api
SolidWorks API 