Reversing Reference plane direction (API) 1

[cpretty]

Does anyone know how to change the direction of a reference plane. I have a reference plane (say "Plane4&quot that I would like to reverse direction. It will always be this plane so I would prefer to reference it directly eg SelectByID.

I can't even find any help by recording a macro of the process, as when run it creates a new plane instead of modifying it.

 

[dsi]

From the Feature, you'll use these methods:

Feature.GetDefinition
RefPlaneFeatureData.AccessSelections
RefPlaneFeatureData::ReverseDirection
RefPlaneFeatureData::ReleaseSelectionAccess

From Help > SolidWorks API Help Topics, look under:
SolidWorks Objects
  Feature Objects
    Reference Geometry
      RefPlaneFeatureData

DimensionalSolutions@Core.com
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[Whiplash]

I've had a bit of a bash at this sort of thing for work. It sounds like you are having very similar problems with the incomprehensibly incomplete help files available. In truth I only got this going through trial and error!

My only hint, use Set lots!

Sub main()

Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
Set Part = swApp.ActiveDoc

'This sets the handle for the plane and gets back it's definition.
Set PlaneFeature = Part.FeatureByName("Insert your plane name here&quot
Set PlaneObject = PlaneFeature.GetSpecificFeature
Set Plane_DEF = PlaneFeature.GetDefinition

'This turns on the access to the feature (rolling back)
Plane_DEF.AccessSelections Part, Nothing
flip = Plane_DEF.ReverseDirection

'This finds out what flip is and changes it
If flip Then
flip = False
Else
flip = True
End If

'This re-enters the infor into the feature definition, updates the feature definition and then closes the access (rolls down).
Plane_DEF.ReverseDirection = flip
PlaneObject.ModifyDefinition Plane_DEF, Part, Nothing
Plane_DEF.ReleaseSelectionAccess
End Sub

 

[cpretty]

Thankyou very much. The solution works. Who would have thought that so many set commands were required.