Hi All,
I apologise if this question is easy. If so, hopefully the answer will be easy as well.
A few months ago I started learning how to create simple Macro's in VBA. The VBA platform I used was through solidworks "New Macro" feature. I then started to research how to create Macro Features in VBA such as Multi Sketch Extrude macros, etc. I could then use this knowledge to make long design tasks (with multiple features) into single custom Solidworks Features. this saves alot of time. What I also found was that I was able to send my models , which utilize my custom features, to a colleague and they would be able to use it too. Even if they did not have the macro.
I assumed that this was possible because Solidworks has a built in VBA editor, and the custom feature can convert to VBA when used on my colleague's Computer. Therefore it somewhat piggybacks on the model since the macro feature is within the feature tree of the model. Therefore, they can use and edit the custom feature as if the feature was a standard Solidworks feature by right clicking on the feature in the feature tree and "Edit Feature".
Now I have started to learn how to code macro's in C# since I know the language, it drastically reduces the amount of lines of code, and it is more powerful than VBA. However, before I continue to learn to code macros in C# I wanted to know the following:
1. If my colleague does not have Visual Studio, how can I send my created macro to him/her to use? (I could do this with VBA macros of file type .swp files.) ?
2. If the above is possible, can my colleauge add my custom c# macro to their toolbar as a shortcut macro button? (Without having Visual Studio) - This could also be done with VBA?
3. My main question is that. If I create an Add-in feature using c# that, say creates multiple spiral sweep cuts on a part, can I send this part to a person who does not have VS on their pc, and will they be able to edit this feature on their solidworks WITHOUT having to install my custom add-in?
If using c# to code macro's cannot do the above, then I do not see the point of continuing to learn how to use c# to code my macros.
Any help will be appreciated.
Thank you!
Kind Regards
Scott