Parts & Assemblies Automation Tasks

• Update and Save

The task can be used to save an existing SOLIDWORKS file from a current version to a future version if there are multiple versions of SOLIDWORKS installed. The macro automatically saves the original model. It is recommended to use this macro after creating a backup copy of input files. Files can be backed up using Backup Options > Always Enabled. User should enable the option “Allow to resave to newer versions”. User can Resize the model to Zoom – Fit the window and saves. User can also choose to “Rebuild” files and save.

• Sort Feature Manager Tree

This task helps in arranging parts, subassemblies and toolbox components alphabetically within the feature manager design tree of main assembly. Task works only with SOLIDWORKS Assembly files. It does not consider files in patterns. Toolbox components will be grouped into a folder named as “Toolbox”.

• Add Overall Dimensions

The task helps in capturing and storing bounding box dimensions of the model present in a Part or Assembly File. Stored as properties against the respective configuration names. The property names are captured as Overall Dimensions, Lx, Ly and Lz. Here the Lx, Ly and Lz are the Dimensions measured along X, Y and Z axis. Values are saved as static text and will not be update if the model is changed. The task should be re-run to update the values that are already present. The Units specified against these values are captured from the document units.

• Configuration Splitter

This task helps user to process Part or Assembly files containing configurations to save each configuration as an individual SOLIDWORKS file. To generate from active configuration only, choose “Run on Active Configuration Only”. To process all configuration, choose “Run on each configuration”. Saves the output in same format as the input files. User can specify an Output File Name by either typing in the name as text or by using placeholders. Input file is not modified, however it is recommended to use “Open Read Only” setting in #TASK.

• Assign Material

The task provides the flexibility to assign material to SOLIDWORKS Parts. Any assigned material can be replaced by a new material. Specified material can be replaced by a new material. Only considers SOLIDWORKS Parts that are assigned with a Material. Material can be assigned to the whole part or specific configuration. Material should exist in material database, while Database name should be unique.

• Change Document Units

The task helps in Setting / changing the Document Units for the selected SOLIDWORKS files. User can Set the units to ‘MKS’, ‘CGS’, ‘MMGS’, ‘IPS’ or ‘Custom’. When setting to predefined units, user can enter values against System Unit, Length and Dual Dimension Length. If a value is not set, then the same will not be modified. However, when ‘Custom’ units is selected, user has the provision to specify the values against all fields. This task works with all SOLIDWORKS native files [*.SLDDRW, *.SLDPRT, *.SLDASM].

• Orientate to Isometric

This task can be used to change the orientation of SOLIDWORKS model to isometric. User can select files or folders and #TASK will ensure that the tool executes the procedure against each file present in the target folders. User must ensure that the ‘Background Mode’ is deselected within #TASK.

• Add Mass Custom Property

This task can be used to create new custom property “Mass” and add them against each configuration for the selected SOLIDWORKS Part files [*.SLDPRT]. The value is calculated based on the body present within the configuration. Considers the density of material assigned to the configuration and the geometric volume. Values are always presented in Kilograms (Kgs). Task works with SOLIDWORKS Parts only [*.SLDPRT].

• Save Bodies as Assembly

The task can be used to save each body within a multibody part as a separate SOLIDWORKS part file and then insert them into a new SOLIDWORKS Assembly. The following points are to be noted: User can specify Part Names using text or placeholders. Assembly names can be specified using placeholders. User can choose a destination folder using the browse control or enter path directly into the field. User has an option to specify if custom properties against each body in a multibody part is copied into individual parts, or/and choose to consume bodies in multibody parts. Can be used with other tools like Export 3D (STL, Parasolid, Step, etc.) when imported, it can be saved as an Assembly.

• Rename Bodies from Custom Property

This task helps to rename the bodies present in SOLIDWORKS file by using a Cut List property value.
The search sequence is to look at:  Cutlist properties folder. Document Level Properties. Configuration Specific Properties.

• Report Part Material

This task can be used to generate a report of parts where the materials is not assigned. By leaving the Material field blank, report is generated to identify the part with no material assigned. Task works with SOLIDWORKS Parts [*.SLDPRT]. Task can be used to compare the assigned material with one that is entered in Material field.

• Rename Configurations

This task helps to process configuration names for SOLIDWORKS Part and Assembly files using placeholders. Allows user to choose place holder for Current Date. User can specify the data in various formats as presented in the link: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/8kb3ddd4(v=vs.110).aspx. Allows user to specify a custom property value. User can also choose to name the sheet from SOLIDWORKS title. User can choose to name the sheet from Active Sheet Name. User can set to generate numbers such as Current Configuration, Current Parent Configuration, Current Derived Configuration as well as Total Configuration Number. Option to Rename All, Rename Parent Configuration, Rename Derived Configuration. Users should enable “Run macro on each configuration” if all configuration must be processed.

• Automatic Recognition

This task launches FeatureWorks for automatically recognises the imported geometry. User can preselect setting for automatically recognising features. Can process both single and multibody geometry. FeatureWorks Add-In should be present and be enabled in SOLIDWORKS Add-ins. Task works for both SOLIDWORKS Parts and Assemblies.

• Replace/Add Global Variable

This task helps to add or modify an existing global variable. The macro uses “Find and Replace” method. User should specify a global variable name and a corresponding value. If global variable name is found, then the value is replaced otherwise it will be created and will be assigned with the value. User can specify formula against the value field. New global variable is added for all configurations.

• Configuration for Each Body

Task can be used to create Configurations for each body within a multibody. Can be used to generate custom properties specific to the geometry of the body. User can insert properties like “Mass”, “Volume”, “Surface Area”, etc. to calculate automatically. Task uses Delete/Keep body feature to enable a specific body for selected configuration. Task works only with SOLIDWORKS Parts [*.SLDPRT].

• Assign Appearance

This task can be used to assign appearance to SOLIDWORKS part and assemblies using ‘*.p2m’ template. By default, appearance is applied to active configuration only. Enable “Run task on each configuration” to apply new appearance for each configuration. User must specify the path to p2m, file using browse file control or can consist of text. User can specify configuration names to which the setting has to be applied.

• Change Toolbox Flag

Task allows users to change the toolbox flag for components. User can choose to enable Toolbox Flag which means that the component will be set to Read-Only and cannot be modified. User can choose to disable Toolbox Flag which means that the component will be set to have write access and can be modified. Task works with SOLIDWORKS Parts only and is compatible with SOLIDWORKS 2018 or newer versions.

• Export Design Table

This task will help to export design table in excel format. User can specify a folder to save the output file. User can specify a file name either by typing in the output file name as text along with .xls extension. User can use placeholders likes Current Data, Design Table Name, SOLIDWORKS Title, Configuration Name and Custom Property Value. Task works with SOLIDWORKS Parts and Assemblies. Task works best with ‘Import Design Table’ as they can be used to quickly update variables.

• Import Design Table

The task is used to import design table into SOLIDWORKS Part or Assembly. The file against which it is executed should have a Design Table Feature existing in the Configurations Tab. The task works best with “Export Design Table”. Excel can show additional popup messages which require user input during process. Pop up could be disabled using the method from this article: https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/kb/948615 Task can works with SOLIDWORKS Part and Assembly files.

• Remove Configuration

This task can be used to remove / delete configurations from the selected SOLIDWORKS files.
Works with SOLIDWORKS assembly and part files. Uses a find and delete method to remove the configuration. Can specify partial or exact name of configuration to remove. Options available for flexibility to perform necessary operations. Perform case sensitive search. Choose not to ignore parent configurations. Toggle settings to search from active or all configurations.

• Activate Configuration

The task is useful to activate a specific configuration in SOLIDWORKS. Task works with *.SLDPRT and *.SLDASM files only. Configuration Name can be composed of Text or Placeholders. Option to Zoom Fit the model once the configuration is found. Option to Ignore Case while searching for a match.
Option to Match full configuration name. This task can be used along with various other tasks to achieve a wide range of outcomes.

• Configuration for Each Display State

This task allows to add a configuration for each display state of the model. Task works with *.SLDPRT and *.SLDASM files.

• Dimensions Variator

This task allows to variate the values of the nominated dimensions to find the optimal configuration of the model. The criteria for variation include volume, mass, centre of gravity.

• Bounding Box

This task allows to insert a bounding box for a standard part. Represents the smallest area or volume in which a design can fit. Creating a bounding box for a part also generates several file properties automatically, which can be linked to drawings. Task uses native SOLIDWORKS functionality from reference geometry.  Task works with part documents [*.SLDPRT].

• Insert Components

This task helps insert sub components (part [*.SLDPRT] and assembly [*.SLDASM] documents ) into SOLIDWORKS assemblies.

• Replace Components

This task is used to replace the components from the items scope in the specified target assembly using the specified new name and configuration mapping. This task can be used in conjunction with Split configurations task.

• Add Configuration

This task adds new configuration to the model with an option to specify name, comment and description. Configuration can be added either as derived or top level one.