Skip to main content

SwEx.MacroFeature - advanced framework for SOLIDWORKS macro feature

SwEx.MacroFeature framework for SOLIDWORKS

SwEx.MacroFeature provides utilities for simplified development of SOLIDWORKS macro features based on the data model.

{% youtube { id: 3qLUvlFZIek } %}

Source code is available on GitHub

What is macro feature?​

Macro feature is a custom element which could be added into Feature Manager Design tree using SOLIDWORKS API. This element will behave in exactly the same way as any other standard feature (e.g. Boss-Extrude, Move-Copy Body, Mate, etc.)

Macro feature in the feature manager tree{ width=250 }

Macro feature supports parametric nature of SOLIDWORKS and could regenerate if any of the parents changed.

Macro feature provides 3 main handlers

  • Regeneration - called when feature is rebuilt (either as a result of model force rebuild operation or as a result of the updated of any of the dependencies). Macro feature can create new body or bodies or be only a metadata element.
  • Edit - called when feature definition is requested to be edited by the user
  • State update - called every time state is updated (i.e. feature is selected, refreshed etc.)

Macro feature can store additional metadata parameters (including dimensions and selection references).