Drawings Automation Tasks

• Save PDF

Task enables the user to save PDF files from SOLIDWORKS Parts, Assembly’s and Drawings. Provides the option to choose to save a 3D model as 3D or 2D PDF, and Drawings can be saved as 2D PDF only. The 3D PDF provides designers and engineers the extra bit of flexibility to Pan, Zoom and Orient while sharing the file. User can also choose to Zoom Fit and Open PDF File once it is created. User should deselect option ‘background model’ in #TASK settings if zooming is required. Option to Zoom Fit and Open PDF file once it is created. Deselect the option ‘background mode’ in #TASK settings if zooming is required.

• Save DWG/DXF

The task helps in saving SOLIDWORKS Drawing files to DWG/DXF format. This is performed using the default export options in SOLIDWORKS settings. User can set these options each time while saving the file to DWG / DXF format. The task provides user with options during export. Users can choose to select placeholders to construct the file naming or directly insert the Output file name into the field. Extension: Users can choose to output the file in DWG or DXF format. Destination Folder: Users can enter the path as text or use the browse folder control to choose the target folder. Multiple Sheet Options: Options to Export specified sheets, export all sheets to separate files or export all sheets to one file. Export Specified Sheets: Users can specify sheet names to export or use asterisk symbol to process all sheets.

• Save Drawing DWG/DXF

This task is useful to save SOLIDWORKS Drawing files to DWG/DXF format. These formats are useful to share the design with external stakeholders. Provides an option to save specified sheets. Users can choose to save all Drawing Sheets into a single file. Users can also choose to save each Drawing Sheet into a new DWG/DXF file. To process all sheets, ‘Run macro on each configuration’ should be enabled.

• Replace Sheet Format

This task helps to change drawing sheet format for all SOLIDWORKS Drawing files listed in Items scope. Uses the Find and Replace function to search for the present sheet format and replace it by the new one. User can choose to process all files irrespective of the currently applied Sheet Format template to be replaced with the new one by setting the “Find” field to “*” and Replace with field, to contain the full path to the new sheet format template.

• Generate Drawings

This task helps to create SOLIDWORKS drawing files for the selected SOLIDWORKS Parts and Assemblies. User can Specify a Drawing Template with Sheet Format to generate a default Front View with 2 Projection Views. If template with pre-defined views is specified, then the model is inserted into it. User can choose a standard Sheet Size and select a projection type. Deselect ‘Background Mode’ from #TASK Settings.

• Insert Overall Dimensions

This task helps users dimension the model present within the drawing view against each sheet and it can traverse through all sheets. Provide users with the option to set horizontal and vertical distance and the position where the dimension should be placed, Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right. The units, decimal places and other settings are based on document settings. The tool will not identify if a dimension is already present and will insert a new one, hence overlapping it. Axonometric views like Isometric, Dimetric and Trimetric will be ignored. Enable “Run on each Configuration”.

• Shop Drawings

The task can be used to generate shop drawings from SOLIDWORKS models. It can automatically generate Drawing Views for each body in a multibody part. User can provide an Output file name: Can be composed of Current Date, Custom Property Value, SOLIDWORKS Title or Configuration Name. Select a destination folder by path or using the folder browse control. Choose full path to the template (including extension .drwdot). User can also choose to “Place All views on Single Sheet”. User can choose to “Process Each Body”. Select a paper size from a list of Standard Sizes.

• Auto Arrange Dimensions

This task allows the user to arrange the dimensions in SOLIDWORKS Drawing files. This can be used after user has processed the files through automatic dimensioning. User should have dimensions in the drawing files. Choosing ‘Run on all configurations’ executes on all sheets. Outcome is like using Tools> Align > Auto Arrange. Files being processed should be in write mode.

• Sheet Metal Drawings

This task provides the feasibility to create SOLIDWORKS Drawings for Sheet Metal components.  A single SOLIDWORKS drawing file is generated from all SOLIDWORKS part files present in items scope. Option to specify a name for the Output File. User can type in the name for the new file or choose from a list of placeholders like Current Date, Custom Property Value, SOLIDWORKS Title, SOLIDWORKS Configuration or Sheet Name. Choose a destination folder where the Output files must be stored. Choose a path to the template file.

• Add Revision

This task can be used to add a Row of data into a Revision Table. Data will be inserted on the active Drawing Sheet. User can optionally set to “Run task on each configuration” if they need revision table on each sheet. If Revision table is not present, then both table and data will be inserted.

• Insert Hole Dimensions

This task is helpful when inserting hole diameter and the position of hole from an edge. Considers Drawing Views which contains reference to parts only. Assemblies are not dimensioned. Holes with the same diameters are grouped together. Threads are dimensioned by referencing to its inner diameter. Edge Chamfers are dimensioned as inner and outer diameters. Holes that are linear patterned are dimensioned by their centers. The units and accuracy (decimal places) are controlled by the document properties. Task works with SOLIDWORKS Drawings only [*.SLDPRT].

• Merge Drawings

This task can be used to merge different SOLIDWORKS Drawing files into a single file. It adds all sheets from each file into a single output drawing file. Provide an option for the user to specify the path to save the merged file. Allows to rename drawing sheets in the new file. Drawing template for the new file will be assigned from the first drawing in the items scope.

• Rename Sheets

This task helps to process Drawing Sheet names 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 the Sheet name using numbers such as ‘Current Sheet’ of ‘Total Sheets’. User can enable ‘Run macro on each configuration’.

• Drawing Splitter

This task processes each drawing sheet and saves it as a new SOLIDWORKS Drawing file. The input drawing file is not modified. Recommended to use “Open Read Only” setting in #Task. Use “Run macro on each configuration” to save each sheet present in a multi sheet drawing as a separate SOLIDWORKS Drawing file. By default, Output Drawing name is set as [title]_[configuration] and saved as SLDDRW format. It may contain text or placeholders. User can directly enter the path to destination folder or use the browse control to choose one.

• Dangling Dimensions

This task can be used to produce a report of dangling dimensions. User may also choose to remove these dimensions from the drawing sheet. By default, a report name is present in the field, however user can specify a Report name with extension CVS. If user wants a report of such dimensions, then it can be set to ‘Do Not Remove Dimensions’. Task works with SOLIDWORKS Drawing files only.

• Scale Drawing Views

This task is useful when Drawing views must be scaled to an optimal fit in the space that is available in the Drawing Sheet. Scales the drawing views based on pre-defined values and allows the user to execute against the set of Drawing files. Only parent views are modified, and projected views are left unchanged.

• Add Angular Dimensions

This task helps in inserting angular dimensions between the horizontal and extreme edge keeping horizontal edge as a reference. Drawing views containing SOLIDWORKS Parts are processed whereas views containing SOLIDWORKS Assemblies are ignored. Values are calculated and decimal places are assigned using document units (Options/Document Properties/Units/Decimals). It does not identify dimension if they are already present. Axonometric views like Isometric, Dimetric and Trimetric will be ignored.

• Insert Note

This task can be used to insert a note to SOLIDWORKS Drawing. User can choose to insert the same note into multiple sheets based on enabling setting to ‘Run on each configuration’. User can choose to insert text into a note. User can specify formulas to be resolved into a note. User can specify a X and Y distance from bottom left corner. User can type in multiline text into #TASK and the same will be shown. Cannot filter sheet by name and does not validate for presence for a note.

• Scaling Views/Sheets

This task can be used to process each Drawing view or sheets to scale them upwards / downwards. Task works with SOLIDWORKS Drawing only [*.SLDDRW]. User can choose to specify a value against Scale Views or Scale Sheet. It can be parameterized using placeholders. Input values as Decimal or Ratios. Set to “Run macro on each configuration” if user wants to process on each sheet, otherwise the macro processes on the active drawing sheet only.

• Load Drafting Standard

This task provides the ease to load a chosen drafting standard against selected items in Items scope. User can choose to have a [*.sldstd] template. User must provide a full path to the template file. Task works with SOLIDWORKS Parts, Assemblies and Drawings.

• Renumber Drawing Sheets

This task can be used to specify Sheet Numbering by excluding Sheets using a filter to identify them by Name or Number. Task breaks the link to drawing properties and replaces sheet counting equation by a note. Can be useful when drawing sheets containing GA, Cover Sheets, Pricing/Materials, calculations, etc. are to be excluded from count. Inserts Sheet count using the general format of Sheets X of Y. Sample: Sheet 2/4. Note: Sheets are not counted towards the total of [4] in the above equation.

• Detach Drawings

This task enables to save Drawings as a new document and breaks the link to the reference model file. Works on both Part and Assembly Drawing files. Can be used to share Drawing files without sharing parametric model. Output file loads faster than drawing with active link to the SOLIDWORKS Part [*.sldprt].

• Remove Note

This task provides the option to remove notes from SOLIDWORKS Drawing files. User can specify what to find within the notes. Options for find by ‘Match Case’ and ‘Match Whole Phrase’. User can enable ‘Run macro on each configuration’ to process each sheet within Drawing file.

• QR Code Generator

This task helps users generate a QR Code [Quick Response Code] and insert it into drawing sheet format.  Task works with SOLIDWORKS Drawings only. QR Code Value: User can choose to enter a Text to Place into Sheet. QR Code Location: User can choose a predefined reference location to place the QR Code: Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left or Bottom Right. User can also specify the offset from reference location. The units are taken from document properties X and Y offset. Offsets can be specified in terms of X and Y Distances: For Top Left > X is Positive, and Y is negative. For Bottom Left > Both X and Y are positive. For Top Right > Both X and Y are negative. For Bottom Right > X is negative, and Y is positive. Width and Height of the QR Code to be placed on the drawing sheet. Task works with SOLIDWORKS Drawings only. Enable “Run macro on each configuration” to place on each sheet.

• Drawing Scale Report

This task helps in generating a report containing scale ratio for each Drawing Sheet and Drawing View within the file. To improve readability, one blank row is inserted to mark the difference between two sheets and two blank rows are inserted to identify a new file. The output file is named as ‘ScaleReport.csv’ by default, user can change this.

• Insert Breaks

This task can be used to insert Breaks in Drawing Views. Breaks are placed into Drawing Views by considering existing geometry within the model. Task does not work with Assembly files. Task will not work with Isometric Views. Vertical breaks will be inserted for horizontally aligned models and vice versa. Parts with cuts covering its height or width (for horizontally or vertically aligned) will not be processed. Requires continuous geometry to produce cuts.

• Activate Sheet

The task can be used to Activate a specific sheet in SOLIDWORKS Drawing file and save it. Ensure that “Run on active configuration only” is enabled. Provides user an option to specify the Sheet Name or Sheet Number. User can provide reference to a custom property value which contains the intended Sheet Name or Number. Optionally can use Zoom to Fit Sheet.

• Reload Sheet Format

This task can be used when the Sheet format templates have changed or a new set of formats has rolled out in the organisation. Task performs the function to reload sheet format using the template from previous location. The modified Sheet format template should exist in its initial path [*.slddrt]. Enable “Run macro on each configuration” to process against each file. Task would with SOLIDWORKS Drawings only.

• Insert Hyperlink to the Balloons

This task provides ease to incorporate the feature to link files to each item balloon. As an example, user may want to set a hyperlink to the PDF file to each item number represented in a drawing view containing item numbering within a balloon. The result would enable the user to open the linked pdf file directly from balloon with a single click. User can compose the hyperlink using Component’s name, Full path to the Model, Location to the directory or text. User can use this to provide link to a webpage or to open component drawings (in pdf format) from an Assembly Drawing.

• Remove Block

This task will help in removing and/or deleting blocks from SOLIDWORKS Drawing files. Task provides user with options to filter using search fields. Find what > User can specify Text to find. Options > Further User can select where the text should be looked for: Find the specified text by Match case. Find the specified text by Matching Whole Phrase. Search text in Block Name. Enable “Run macro on all configurations” to process all Drawing Sheets.

• Attach Annotation

This task produces Annotations attached to Drawing Views. Annotation can be composed of text. User can use placeholders like Current Date, Custom Property Value, SOLIDWORKS Active Configuration Name, Referenced Model Configuration Name, SW Model Title, Referenced Model Title or Referenced Model Path. Which View: User can Select Specific Views to attach Annotation. Choose a reference location to place the note related to the Drawing View. Specify X and Y Offset distance with respect to Drawing View box. Choose the Leader Style to use. User can choose to align the Leader Side towards Right / Left or Smart.

• Insert BOM

This task is used to process SOLIDWORKS Drawing files. At least one Drawing View should be present to Insert a BOM Table. Default BOM Table from SOLIDWORKS is inserted into processed files. Can Process BOM on Multiple tables if user selects ‘Run on all Configurations’. Provides user with some options. How the Table should be aligned with the Anchor Point. Should BOM data be indented, parts only, top level only. Should there be no Numbering, Detailed Numbering, Flat Numbering. When processing Weldments, the task provides option to define Detailed Cutlist. If Drawing files containing empty views or with no drawing views are processed, #TASK will not process them and shall notify the user regarding the status.

• Generate Exploded Drawing

The task assists in automatically generating a new Drawing file containing exploded view. Output file Name: user can provide a preferred file name for the drawing to be saved as. It can also be composed using placeholders like Current Date, Custom Property, Regular Expression, Scripts, SOLIDWORKS Configuration / Sheet Name, SOLIDWORKS Title, SOLIDWORKS Part Number and Model Location path. User can specify the target folder using a path or browse folder control. User can specify a path to the Template or select using the browse file control [.drwdot]. User can choose a paper size for the drawing. User can choose from one of the available views. Scale will be applied to all Drawing Views on Drawing Sheet. Value can be entered as a ratio or decimal number.

• Copy Drawing with New Reference

This task allows users to create a new Drawing file per item present in the Items Scope. User has the option to create drawings for each Item in Items Scope by specifying a Drawing template using a SOLIDWORKS Drawings file. Drawing created using SOLIDWORKS Part will generate drawings using SOLIDWORKS Part file. Drawing created using SOLIDWORKS Assembly will generate drawings using SOLIDWORKS Assembly file. Task works with SOLIDWORKS Drawing files only.

• Show/Hide Layer

This task allows to hide or show specified layers in Drawing documents. Task changes layer visibility both for printing and SOLIDWORKS window.

• Display Sheet Format

This task allows users to hide/show sheet template on active Drawing Sheet. The visibility could be changed for all sheets on Drawing by selecting an option in #TASK to run for each sheet. Optionally could be nominated specific sheets (by name, number or template) for which this task should work. If conditions were specified in several tables (“Which Sheets” and “Which Formats”) then the task will work only if conditions from both tables were met.

• Drawing Sheets Configurator

This task could be useful when it is required to use template drawing and replace files and configurations in each sheet. Task updates drawings sheet names and referenced documents and configuration based on the sheets configuration table in CSV format. CSV file can be exported from Excel and contains 3 columns: sheet name – name of the sheet; referenced document path – document name to be replaced in the sheet; configuration – referenced document configuration to be set for Drawing sheet. Headers should not be exported to CSV file. Each row in the CSV file represents different Drawing Sheet. #TASK will reuse existing sheets or create new one (remove unused) based on the copy of last sheet if needed. Both relative and absolute paths are supported in the second column (document path).