Auto-run Macro

Hi all,

I've created a macro that my CAD users can run to fill in the tedious
data like who created a file and what date it was created. I was just
wondering if there was any way I can get SolidWorks to run this macro
every time someone starts a new document.

At the moment the use needs to press a hotkey to run the macro (which
is better than having to manually enter in the data themselves) but it
would be nice if it was fully automated.

Cheers,

George.

 

You would need an addin to do this properly.

It is technically possible to have a macro running in the background
perpetually to monitor for new document creation, but doing this long
term has shown to have adverse effects on performance and is not very
reliable.

 

Another option is to include the swApp.NewDocument line in the
beginning of your macro, which you would run prior to making a new
document. Of course, you would probably need some sort of dialog box
to select which template to use.

 

Download Microsoft VisualBasic.Net 2005 express edition for free then
download the SolidWorks addin template. Add a call to your macro on
the new document event and register the dll using regasm.exe \codebase
myAddin.dll (this will be necessary on client machines) then your
addin will always run the macro on new document and it is much more
reliable than doing the same thing with a macro and best of all the
software needed to do this is free.

Regards,

Corey

 

The express edition can make an add-in .dll? I thought the express editions
could only compile executables.

 

I have successfully written about 10 addins using the SolidWorks addin
template and VB.Net express. I don't know if I am supposed to be able
to do it but I am.

 

I have successfully written about 10 addins using the SolidWorks addin

Oh, thank you for that information. If I ever have the time again, I can
put that to work.

 

Corey,

I'm an old school VB users and am upgrading my custom property tool
XMLPropWorks. How different is VB.net than the old VB? Are the
migration tools provided any good?

I ask in that if I'm going to continue development of XMLPropWorks, I
might as well get out of the stone age.

Thanks

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Chris