API in Soildworks

Can anybody suggest the best way to get started in API of Solidworks?
And may I add, from scratch.

Thank You,

S.Dheeraj

 

I always recommend that one first learns VBA or VB6 (or C++) before
attempting to do much with SolidWorks API. It will be a long slow
struggle to learn SW API if you do not know the basics of one of these
programming languages. I recommend start with VBA, as it is the
language of macro programs. There are many books and websites that can
help you learn.

To make an add-in you need a full version of VB or C. I have a lesson
for making addins in VB6 <http://www.esoxrepublic.com/devtools/>.
Again, I recommend you understand VB before you attempt to do this.

 

Hi.

I would recommend first becoming familiar with VBA. If you use
Microsoft Excel, thats a great place to start. The Excel API is
probably easier to learn than the SolidWorks API, and there are a host
of good books out there to teach you VBA programming in Excel
step-by-step.

Once you have a handle on VBA, you might want to find a training course
if your SolidWorks VAR has one. Where are you located?

Other than that, find something you want to automate in SW and just get
started. You'll run into many problems, and can resolve them through
research and by asking questions here. The more you do it, the easier
it will become.

Mike Spens has a book out called "Automating SolidWorks 2006 using
Macros". I've never read it, but it would probably be helpful.

Good luck. I was in your shoes 5 years ago, and know how difficult it
can be to know where to start.

Regards,

- Luther

 

I have this book and it is very helpful.

There are also several examples in the Help files and on the SW Web
site etc. These can be helpful.

Hope this helps,

Ed

 

Thank you all for your advise.As I understand from your mails it would
be better if I get a working knowledge of any VBA or more specifically
Excel VBA because it is comparatively easier, before I dip my hands
into Solidworks API. I can understand the spirit behind the advise.

However I do feel Autocad VBA would be more ideal if it comes to
learning some VBA..

And would C be of any help?

Finally I would appreciate if you can post the addresses of some web
sites which cover VBA basics (if those are of Autocad it would be that
much more helpful)

Thank you once again for replying to my query.

S.Dheeraj

 

Excel VBA is about the same as any other VBA.

There are two aspects to consider:

1. Visual Basic (VBA and VB6) as a pure programming language. Learn
how VB works to accomplish simple programming tasks. Get a solid
understanding of objects and object-oriented programming.

2. VB interacting with other applications like Excel or SW. The macro
editors in Excel and SW are basic VB editors with templates that
provide some default connections to Excel or SW. Learn how VB is
connecting to the applications and accesing the application's
functions.

You can use either SW or Excel's VB (macro) editor to learn basic VB,
even if your initial programs do not interact with Excel or SW.

 

True, but the Excel object model is a bit more intuitive and very well
documented. I think it's easier to develop your first project in Excel
than SW. And I would recommend against starting in AutoCAD. I think the
SW API is better documented then AutoCAD's.

I agree. But for me it was easier to learn when I was trying to
accomplish something rather that doing purely academic exercises.

Cheers.

- Luther

 

Thanks once again

I am proceeding in the direction you have suggested.For starters I am
going to concentrate on learning VB till I am comfortable in it.It may
take some time.This will I believe give solid grounding in objects and
object oriented programming.

After that I will go in for Solidworks API.

Comment solicited

S.Dheeraj