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A few newbie questions regarding Stand-Alone Applications

Question asked by Rainer Schätzlein on Oct 6, 2017
Latest reply on Oct 8, 2017 by Ivana Kolin

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Hi Everyone,

i'm totaly new to SolidWorks API development, hovewer experienced when it comes to .NET (C#, WinForms, WPF etc) stuff. A few word about my enviorment:

We're a automation company with around 15 SolidWorks workstations. Im trying to use the SW API in a Stand-Alone App to exract informations about componentrefernces and parent-child relations automaticaly (which is done by hand right now). Right now, its really hard for me to find a good point to start.

Could you help me with some hints and tips? Most of the example code in the official API-Help doesn't execute on my pc.

I have some questions where i'm having a hard time to find answers:

Which .dll / namespace is the right one when i'm just trying to crawl throught the object tree of SW and gather some information like componentreference e.t.c?
Do i have to have the full solid works software installed on my local pc to run such a stand alone application that utilizes the dlls?
Can i just reference to the interop dlls that i can find in the api/redist folder of solid works or do they need to be registered anywhere?
I've tried to install the Solid Works API SDK, but absolutely nothing happend. No new folder unter C:/Program Files/ e.t.c

I'm really grateful for any information right now, since i've spend already a day with this topic without making any progress.

Thanks guys!

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John Stoltzfus Oct 6, 2017 1:35 PM

Not totally your answer but a start to do some searches are see who works with API

Go to...

Forum SEARCH RETURNS - Over 189,000 Search Returns - 120 Categories - Excel (6/10/2020) Updated "API - Appearances & Bug" Searches

Download the Excel File and look under the API and or Macro Search returns, the information that is in the Excel File is from this forum, so the Search Term use will return anything within the body of the Thread or Reply. Using Excel you can now use the Search or Find feature to narrow down the Search Returns. One major thing is most people don't know how to form a question so some good posts get lost etc..

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Amen Allah Jlili Oct 9, 2017 9:58 AM

Rainer,

Which .dll / namespace is the right one when i'm just trying to crawl throught the object tree of SW and gather some information like componentreference e.t.c?

SolidWorks.Interop.SldWorks is the namespace. Contains API objects. Looked at the IFeatureManager. You can access that from the IModelDoc interface. You find this in the API/redist folder in the soliworks installation folder. If you're going to develop an application for .NET 2.0 or 3.0 (up to framework 3.5), you shoud look for the same dll in a folder called CLR2 inside Redist. This should work with SW 2013 and older.

Do i have to have the full solid works software installed on my local pc to run such a stand alone application that utilizes the dlls?

Yes. SOLIDWORKS interops are merely interfaces that point to the SOLIDWORKS core functionalities. You'll need SOLIDWORKS installed at all times.

Can i just reference to the interop dlls that i can find in the api/redist folder of solid works or do they need to be registered anywhere?

Yes, you can. Actually that's all you need to do. These interops already have their types registered when SOLIDWORKS is installed. Your application by default will always use the latest version available of the API types in the production environment so be mindful what methods you have use.

I've tried to install the Solid Works API SDK, but absolutely nothing happend. No new folder unter C:/Program Files/ e.t.c

SDK should add a template to your VS templates. If that doesn't happen contact the API support. Meanwhile, you should take a look at the following resources:
SOLIDWORKS Forums API/Macros: How to write a SOLIDWORKS AddIn in C#? - YouTube
SOLIDWORKS API C# STANDALONE - YouTube

Best,
Amen
CADHERO consulting SUARL – SOLIDWORKS API/PDM Design Automation & Training – SOLIDWORKS VBA MACROS, SOLIDWORKS Addins an…

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Ivana Kolin Oct 8, 2017 5:22 AM

Component references and parent/child relations can you retrieve with 2016 SOLIDWORKS API Help - SOLIDWORKS Document Manager API Help

Document Manager API can be used without SW installed. SWDM needs license key, you have to obtain it first.

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3 Replies

John Stoltzfus Oct 6, 2017 1:35 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Not totally your answer but a start to do some searches are see who works with API

Go to...

Forum SEARCH RETURNS - Over 189,000 Search Returns - 120 Categories - Excel (6/10/2020) Updated "API - Appearances & Bug" Searches

Download the Excel File and look under the API and or Macro Search returns, the information that is in the Excel File is from this forum, so the Search Term use will return anything within the body of the Thread or Reply. Using Excel you can now use the Search or Find feature to narrow down the Search Returns. One major thing is most people don't know how to form a question so some good posts get lost etc..
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Amen Allah Jlili Oct 9, 2017 9:58 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Rainer,

Which .dll / namespace is the right one when i'm just trying to crawl throught the object tree of SW and gather some information like componentreference e.t.c?

SolidWorks.Interop.SldWorks is the namespace. Contains API objects. Looked at the IFeatureManager. You can access that from the IModelDoc interface. You find this in the API/redist folder in the soliworks installation folder. If you're going to develop an application for .NET 2.0 or 3.0 (up to framework 3.5), you shoud look for the same dll in a folder called CLR2 inside Redist. This should work with SW 2013 and older.
Do i have to have the full solid works software installed on my local pc to run such a stand alone application that utilizes the dlls?
Yes. SOLIDWORKS interops are merely interfaces that point to the SOLIDWORKS core functionalities. You'll need SOLIDWORKS installed at all times.
Can i just reference to the interop dlls that i can find in the api/redist folder of solid works or do they need to be registered anywhere?
Yes, you can. Actually that's all you need to do. These interops already have their types registered when SOLIDWORKS is installed. Your application by default will always use the latest version available of the API types in the production environment so be mindful what methods you have use.
I've tried to install the Solid Works API SDK, but absolutely nothing happend. No new folder unter C:/Program Files/ e.t.c
SDK should add a template to your VS templates. If that doesn't happen contact the API support. Meanwhile, you should take a look at the following resources:
SOLIDWORKS Forums API/Macros: How to write a SOLIDWORKS AddIn in C#? - YouTube
SOLIDWORKS API C# STANDALONE - YouTube

Best,
Amen
CADHERO consulting SUARL – SOLIDWORKS API/PDM Design Automation & Training – SOLIDWORKS VBA MACROS, SOLIDWORKS Addins an…
Like • Show 2 Likes2
Actions
Ivana Kolin Oct 8, 2017 5:22 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Component references and parent/child relations can you retrieve with 2016 SOLIDWORKS API Help - SOLIDWORKS Document Manager API Help
Document Manager API can be used without SW installed. SWDM needs license key, you have to obtain it first.
Like • Show 2 Likes2
Actions

A few newbie questions regarding Stand-Alone Applications

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