Macro Tasker is a SOLIDWORKS PDM task addin that allows administrators to run SOLIDWORKS macros on PDM-managed files via workflow transitions, context menu actions, or scheduled tasks. How is this better than the alternatives available?

  • More structure and reliability than a Dispatch script. Use existing VBA standards rather than creating the functionality in Dispatch.
  • Faster setup and more features than a standard PDM task addin. No need to modify macro code in a scripting window — just pick an existing macro file and go.
  • Less development time than a custom .NET addin. No need to write, compile, and deploy a full .NET addin to mimic the functionality of an existing macro.

Key Features

  • Runs Standard Macros: Executes any .swp VBA macro with a public procedure
  • Flexible Triggers: Works with workflow transitions, right-click tasks, and scheduled jobs
  • SOLIDWORKS Integration: Launches SOLIDWORKS in the background, opens files, runs macro, closes cleanly
  • Decoupled Logic: Macro logic is stored and maintained separately from the add-in
  • Structured Logging: Each run is logged to a text file in the user’s AppData folder
  • Clean Deployment: Installed via .cex with no custom installation steps or COM registration

Common Use Cases

  • Exporting files to STEP, IGES, DXF, etc.
  • Cleaning up or standardizing custom properties
  • Verifying drawing references or part associations
  • Enforcing design rules before file state promotion
  • Scheduled batch processing of legacy files

Feature Comparison

Feature Macro Tasker Dispatch Full Add-In
Runs SOLIDWORKS macros Yes No Possible (custom code)
Requires .NET development No No Yes
File-level automation Yes No Yes
Deployment complexity Low Low High
Logging & error handling Yes Minimal Developer-defined
Macro logic testable outside PDM Yes N/A N/A

Deployment and Usage

  • Deployment: Via .cex file imported in the PDM Administration Tool
  • Execution Context: Runs on the PDM Task Host using the credentials of the task host user
  • Macro Requirements:
    • Must be a .swp (VBA) file
    • Procedure must be declared Public Sub and accept no arguments
    • Module name and procedure name must be specified during task setup
  • Logging Location:
    • %AppData%\cadsharp-pdm-macro-task\cadsharp-pdm-macro-task.txt
  • Error Handling:
    • Task fails cleanly with logged error
    • Errors inside the macro are captured if raised as standard VBA runtime errors

Prerequisites

  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional 2021 or later
  • SOLIDWORKS installed on the Task Host system
  • SOLIDWORKS license available at runtime

Licensing

  • License Type: Per-vault, perpetual license
  • Initial Cost: 999 USD per vault with three months of free updates and technical support
  • Optional Subscription: 299 USD per vault per year. This includes technical support and new versions of the software

Ready to Purchase?

Contact our Technical Director, Keith Rice, to discuss payment options.