14 Replies Latest reply on Jul 22, 2011 4:39 PM by Wayne Matus

How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?

Scott Young Jul 22, 2011 11:06 AM

Hello All,

I would like to add a new tab where Assembly, Layout, Sketch, Evaluate, and Office Products are at the top left side of my screen. I would like to add my own custom macro(s) to this tab.

Anyone out there had experience or know how to do both of these?

Thank you,

Scott

Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?

Scott McFadden Jul 22, 2011 11:19 AM (in response to Scott Young)

Hi Scott,
You cannot add a blank tab to the command manager, but if you RC on one of the tabs
and select "customize Commandmanager" then you can add a toolbar/tab.
As far as adding a macro to a toolbar, turn on the macro toolbar and drag this button
to a specified toolbar and fill out the pathing and name of the macro in the next dialog box.
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- Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
  
  Scott Young Jul 22, 2011 11:50 AM (in response to Scott McFadden)
  
  Scott,
  
  At the last place I worked our temp made a blank tab somehow. He made our logo into an icon and that was our macro for archiving old drawings and bumping revs. I would like to do the same thing. It really worked well and as a tab it was a constant reminder to use the macro.
  
  Scott
  
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  - Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
    
    Scott McFadden Jul 22, 2011 12:01 PM (in response to Scott Young)
    
    Scott,
    I just figured it out.
    RC on the command manager and select
    Then at the top you will see "Empty tab"
    The before closing this sequence, drag the new macro icon over
    and this dialog box will come up.
    This is where you can add you logo icon and map to your macro routine.
    Hope this helps you.
    
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    - Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
      
      Scott Young Jul 22, 2011 12:48 PM (in response to Scott McFadden)
      
      Thanks. That will do what I want exactly!
      
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      - Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
        
        Scott McFadden Jul 22, 2011 12:58 PM (in response to Scott Young)
        
        No problem. I have to say this was a fun thread. I enjoyed and learned something my self from this thread.
        
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Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?

Wayne Matus Jul 22, 2011 12:18 PM (in response to Scott Young)

You would have to create an add-in to add another tab to the command manager. As Scott mentioned, you can add macro buttons to existing command manager tab.
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- Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
  
  Scott Young Jul 22, 2011 12:57 PM (in response to Wayne Matus)
  
  Wayne,
  
  How to create an add-in?
  
  Scott
  
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  - Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
    
    Wayne Matus Jul 22, 2011 1:12 PM (in response to Scott Young)
    
    It requires one of the Microsoft Visual Studio products. VB, C#, or C++. There are free versions that you can download called Xpress Editions. If you installed the SolidWorks SDK (Software Development Kit), you would have a template to create a generic add-in for SolidWorks that could be modified to your needs.
    
    You would need to be an expert Macro programmer before you should attempt creating add-in. Since an add-in is running inside SolidWroks, when it crashed it takes SolidWorks with it.
    
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    - Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
      
      Scott Young Jul 22, 2011 1:16 PM (in response to Wayne Matus)
      
      What is Scott McFadden doing above? It looks like he right-clicks and adds a tab.
      
      I am not getting the same options that Scott McFadden is seeing. Why?
      
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      - Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
        
        Wayne Matus Jul 22, 2011 1:26 PM (in response to Scott Young)
        
        It may not work in SolidWorks 2010, but in 2011 Scott left out the first step. First you have to right mouse on one of the tabs and "Customize CommandManager". Now with that dialog box up when you right mouse on one of the tabs you should see the "Add Tab".
        
        Thanks Scott, I did not know you could do this.!
        
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        Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
        
        Scott McFadden Jul 22, 2011 1:31 PM (in response to Wayne Matus)
        
        You're welcome Wayne. Assuming I am the Scott you are thanking.
        
        I did say you have to RC on the command manager in my post above.
        I am not sure if this is new functionality for 2011 or not. If it is, Scott
        are you able to upgrade to 2011?
        
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        Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
        
        Scott Young Jul 22, 2011 1:40 PM (in response to Scott McFadden)
        
        I am on 2010. Not sure when we are making the move to 2011.
        
        Thanks to both of you for your help.
        
        Scott Young
        
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        Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
        
        Jim Wilkinson Jul 22, 2011 3:48 PM (in response to Scott McFadden)
        
        FYI. Adding a new blank tab is not new functionality. It has been available since SolidWorks 2008 when we first introduced the tabbed CommandManager. It is documented in the help here:
        http://help.solidworks.com/2011/English/solidworks/sldworks/legacyhelp/sldworks/ui/commandmanager.htm
        and I documented it in a blog post about the CommandManager here:
        Technical Tip: SolidWorks CommandManager
        
        I found both of these pretty easily by searching the help and forum respectively for "add CommandManager tab".
        
        Adding a toolbar button for a macro is covered in the following help topic which I found by searching the help for "add macro button" (which results in only one topic):
        http://help.solidworks.com/2011/English/solidworks/sldworks/legacyhelp/sldworks/ui/hidd_customize_macro_button.htm
        
        I just wanted to clarify when the new blank CommandManager tab functionality was added and also to promote searching both the help and forums for answers. When searching, I recommend using just a couple or few keywords for best results.
        
        Thanks,
        Jim
        
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        Re: How Do I Add a Tab with Macro to the Command Manager?
        
        Wayne Matus Jul 22, 2011 4:39 PM (in response to Jim Wilkinson)
        
        JIm,
        
        Thank you for this information.
        
        As a long time SolidWorks user, evaluated Solidworks 95 and first purchased 96, I have a tendency to keep using what works for me. You can teach an old dog new tricks, but I have to see or read about the new trick and determine if I want to use it. The What's New should be the first place to look since it is condensed into one document for each version. So if I do not remember seeing something about it in the What's New, I assume we still cannot do it. If you do remember something about it, then you search the help file and this forum for more info in it.
        
        I am not complaining, just making comments. One thing that could benefit users is a more detailed What's New presentation either by the VARs or SolidWorks. Maybe short videos of the little things on your web site. I can better remember what I see than what I read.
        
        Thanks,
        
        Wayne
        
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