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Blog2023-10-15T01:29:24-04:00

Block Commands With the SOLIDWORKS API

CADSharp is pleased to present a new free tool called Command Blocker that blocks specific commands from running in SOLIDWORKS. Optionally, you can also run a macro in lieu of the default behavior, effectively overriding the command with your own custom functionality. This tool might be used by both users and CAD admins to prevent intentionally or accidentally using certain commands:

<> Custom property dialog

<> Addin dialog

<> Copy to Adobe Illustrator

<> Edit title block

As demonstrated in the video above, this is made possible by listening for the values of commands and then entering them in a settings dialog. This means that any command in SOLIDWORKS can be blocked — use with caution!

Download

Download the Command Blocker installer here.

How It Works

The secret sauce to this addin isn’t a secret for anyone who has taken one of CADSharp’s Advanced Program Development Using .NET training course. If you haven’t taken that class, I’ll still let you in on the secret: CommandOpenPreNotify event. By listening for this event, you can cancel the default the behavior and replace it with your own. You can see a open source example of such a listener here. The class containing the event listener is shown below:

The Next Level

If you can envision this tool being useful for your organization in some modified form then please reach out to us to discuss your needs. For example, if this were to be used by a CAD administrator then additional features might include:

1. Preventing users from accessing the Settings dialog

2. Allowing the Settings dialog to import blocked commands from a list kept on a server.

Reach out to us if you’re ready to take Command Blocker to the next level. Until then, thanks for checking out this tool and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter below so you can learn about more products like this.

By |March 2nd, 2020|0 Comments

Download 3DExperience World Presentations

3DExperience World, formerly known as SOLIDWORKS World, has come and gone. We exhibited at booth 118 and had a fantastic time meeting hundreds of you from around the world. Keith Rice, our Technical Director, presented three times on SOLIDWORKS API topics. You can download the files for the presentations below:

<> Macros vs Addins vs Stand-Alones – [files][video]

<> SOLIDWORKS API for Total Beginners – [files][video]

<> Write A SOLIDWORKS Addin From Scratch – [files]

If you missed us and want to chat, please reach out to us.

See you next year in Nashville!

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By |January 24th, 2020|0 Comments

New PDM Product: Convert DWG Task

Overview

CADSharp is partnering with EhCanadian and is pleased to present one their flagship products, “Convert DWG Task”. Formerly called, “Convert With DraftSight”, Convert DWG Task is a SOLIDWORKS PDM task add-in that converts DWG files to PDF and DXF. This program comes with its own built-in PDF generator but also supports DraftSight and AutoCAD scripting.

SOLIDWORKS includes a DWG to PDF add-in using DraftSight but its functionality is quite limited compared to Convert DWG Task, as you can see in the table below.

Features Comparison DRAFTSIGHT OUR ADDIN
Output file in or out of vault type Yes
Variables in the filename Yes Yes
Secondary output paths No Yes
Secondary output paths can be relative Yes Yes
Duplicate file handling Yes Yes
Create reference from the destination file Yes Yes
Custom menu command Yes Yes
Use DraftSight for conversion Yes Yes
Use AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT for conversion No Yes
Includes built-in PDF generator No Yes
VB.NET scripting No Yes
C# scripting No Yes
Page setup by default, layout, block, file name, etc No Yes
Export all or specific sheets No Yes
Export sheets based on file name or sheet name No Yes
Export sheets to one or seperate PDFs No Yes
Ignore model layout when exporting all No Yes
Combine all PDFs from the task into one file No Yes
Full API for scripting No Yes
Watermark PDF on export with image or text No Yes
Apply password protection to PDFs No Yes
Separate email notifications with PDF attachments No Yes
Email notification supports SSL No
Full logging No Yes

 

Requirements
  • SolidWorks EPDM/PDM Professional.
  • DraftSight or AutoCAD must be installed on the computer running the task if you’re using scripting.
  • .NET 4.5 is required, so as of version 201, this add-in will not run on EPDM 2013 and earlier.
Pricing

999 USD sign-up fee, followed by 150 USD per year

Please visit EhCanadian for more details.

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By |October 1st, 2019|0 Comments
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