Any VBA macro, whether for SolidWorks or an Microsoft Office product, can have be locked using a password. The password is required to view the source code but not run the macro. This creates a neat little safeguard against tampering on the part of curious users, but it is not, in my opinion, a safeguard…
Read MoreWarning: I am not a software security expert. Please do not use this blog post as the basis for protecting highly sensitive code. This past week I presented twice at SolidWorks World 2017 on SolidWorks API topics. In my first presentation, I demonstrated and discussed the pros and cons between macros, addins, and stand-alone programs…
Read MoreBounding boxes are used constantly in engineering for a variety of reasons. Amongst SolidWorks users, I frequently see them used to optimize plant floor layouts, packaging sizes, and stock lengths. In this blog post, I want to cover the pros and cons of the various techniques available in the SolidWorks API for determining them. GetBox…
Read MoreIt’s that time of year again, folks. Let’s look over some of the most notable enhancements to the SolidWorks API, as well as some tips for using the API Help most effectively. Create and access selection sets. (ISelectionSet) Traverse the Manager Pane and activate the FeatureManager design tree, PropertyManager, ConfigurationManager, DimXpertManager, DisplayManager, or custom tab….
Read MoreAnother year, another round of SolidWorks API enhancements. Let’s run through the most notable: Get corresponding sketch contours, sketch segments, and annotations for a specific instance of a component in the context of an assembly. Get or set the properties of paragraphs in note annotations. Get or set cross break feature data in sheet metal…
Read MoreThis year’s SolidWorks API programming contest, sponsored by CADSharp, brought in five fascinating submissions. This may seem like a low number, but I quite pleased considering the complexity of the contest. If you aren’t familiar with the contest rules, visit here. My intention with the contest is that entrants would use geometry/topology traversal techniques to…
Read MoreI am pleased to announce the second CADSharp.com SolidWorks API programming contest! (See results of first contest here.) In this edition, we’re going to test your skills involving assemblies. Here’s how to win one of three Amazon.com gift cards or a 3-month premium membership to CADSharp.com. How To Enter and Win Download the example file…
Read MoreThe SolidWorks 2015 API contains quite a few enhancements that I am excited to share with you. Here are some of the most significant: Access scenes. Insert a table-driven pattern feature. Get or set the components and transforms for interferences. Specify more document printing options. Create and access local curve- and sketch-driven patterns. Get type…
Read MoreIf you’re even the least bit serious about SolidWorks API programming, then you need to have a game plan for efficiently doing each of these: Finding code for use in a macro you are currently writing or plan to write Organizing code so it can be easily found and re-used Tips for Finding SolidWorks API…
Read MoreIf you’re interested in automating some or all of your company’s workflow on your own or with the help of CADSharp’s automation services, you need to answer this very important question: Is this problem best solved using a macro, add-in, or stand-alone? Answering this question requires us to answer several other questions: What are the…
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