Let’s discuss about Types of SolidWorks API Applications here. SolidWorks API can be divided into following 4 types. Choose one which is suitable as per your requirement.
1. SolidWorks Macro
This is simple and quick way to use SolidWorks API to automate your tasks. SolidWorks Macro can be divided into 2 types.
- Microsoft VBA (.swp)
- Microsoft VSTA: Vb.NET (.vbproj) and C# (.csproj)
We can Record and Run Macro inside SolidWorks from Tools > Macro. This will save recorded macros in any of the programming above languages.
2. SolidWorks Add-In (.dll files)
We can create compiled dll Add-in in VB.NET,C# and C++ from Visual Studio projects. We need to add references to SolidWorks Type libraries.
We need to first register Add-in compiled dll and then load inside SolidWorks . You will see these loaded add-ins in Tools > Add-ins(Othe Add-ins) along with SolidWorks Add-ins.
SolidWorks provides .NET Add-ins Template in SolidWorks API SDK from this you can create dll Add-ins.
3. SolidWorks Standalone (.exe files)
Standalone exe can be created using VB.NET, C# and C++ from Visual Studio Projects. Standalone .exe can run outside of SolidWorks. Hence, No need to load or register this exe like Add-in.
4. VBA-enabled Applications: MS Excel, Ms Access & MS Visio.
We can connect SolidWorks from Microsoft applications such as MS Excel, Ms Access & MS Visio. Also we can access running instance of MS Excel to use in SolidWorks.
So which type of SolidWorks Application are you using? Share your views on that in below comment section. 🙂
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