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Help with automation (macro)??
2

Help with automation (macro)??

Help with automation (macro)??

(OP)
Can anyone help me? im using solidworks and PDM. i have several hundred drawings all of which i need to put a logo/stamp on. ive looked at using ole objects or inserting the details into the boader but i want to speed up the process and also not make it to difficult to change. ideally i want to run an automated tool/macro from explorer where i can pick all my drawings!

has anyone done this before?  

RE: Help with automation (macro)??

I think I have seen a macro somewhere on here that replaces or updates your drawing template/border.  Maybe if you add the logo/stamp to your drawing you can update all drawings with that macro.  

Flores
SW06 SP4.0

RE: Help with automation (macro)??

You could change your drawing sheet formats and templates to include a date stamp. You would have to open each drawing and right click, then select SHEET/PROPERTIES/UPDATE.
Then save your work.
Of course, "SW-CreatedDate" is available. This can be short form or long, with or without time. Does that do it for you?
"works for me"

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson
SW 2005 SP 4.0 (reluctant to change)
Matrox Millenium G550
AMD Athalon 1.8 GHz 512 Meg RAM

RE: Help with automation (macro)??

I posted a FAQ which could help you.  Take a look at  FAQ559-1164.  This routine works from VBA and will create a common dialog window from which you can select the files.  You can customize the file extension filter to only show .slddrw files if desired.  After selection (you can use control-A to quickly select all the drawings in the folder) the file names are read into an array.  From there you can add the code to open each drawing, add the necessary details, save the drawing, close and then go to the next drawing.  Let us know if you need help with that part, but everything you will need is in the API help.


RE: Help with automation (macro)??

If you do as smcadman suggested (place logo in the sheet format) you can use a program called Propa-Gator from www.CustomSolids.com to esaily update (change) the sheets. The free version allows changes to only four files at a time, but the paid for version is unlimited. It will also change/add/delete custom & config specific properties.

cheers
Helpful SW websites  FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: Help with automation (macro)??

(OP)
stoker, sounds like your experience could help me a great deal, i am a virgin to VB though?!?!? im contracting to a company who want this job doing and im looking for a quick solution to adding the details they want. i can use any format for the details. eg(txt, doc.jpg etc on to each drawing but would love to automate the process. could you guide me setting this up??? eg what to do with the code you have posted! how to add to it etc etc

top bloke for your sugestions so far

cheers

RE: Help with automation (macro)??

Kersh,
[suggestion]
Given that you're a "virgin to VB" you would probably spend almost as much time or more learning the VBA to automate the job as you would actually doing the job manually.  It sounds to me like your quickest option would be the one suggested by smcadman and CBL.  $50 for PropaGator is probably worth the time saved.  
[/suggestion]

[editorial]
You mentioned that you're contracting with this company.  This is going to sound very management-like, but unless you're a pretty long-term contractor the best thing for the company would be to go the PropaGator route.  When you've headed off to your next job they'll still have the software as an asset they can re-use.  If you were a regular employee they could probably justify the time spent learning VBA as education, and then you would be additional asset for further automation tasks.  Otherwise they're paying you to add an asset to your own skill set that you will take with you when you leave.
[/editorial]

RE: Help with automation (macro)??

I agree, better to get an off-the-shelf solution in this case.  

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