I am a ME Intern but have been picking up API and VB on the way this summer. We are transitioning to GP Dynamics and our first steps are to deal with our purchased parts. The following is the algorithm for my Macro Project:

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Preconditions:

1.       User has located Part or Assy on Vendor Website

2.       User has Active Doc in SolidWorks as the desired Assy or Part to put in GP

1. For a SldWrks Part, take no action
   
2. For a SldWrks Assy
   

a)       Make all Parts virtual

b)       Excludes all virtual Parts from BOM

c)       ‘Copy Of ‘ prefix string deleted from each virtual part name (in order to have virtual part with [{OriginalName}^{VendorPartNumber}])

3. Call out Microsoft Access run-time form (Part Number Generator)
   

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Right now my macro can physically select the child components of the assembly but I am having trouble figuring out how to break the external file link to each one and save the existing parts as virtual. I have tried multiple things but I am aware in top-down design the goal is to create a new part as virtual or take that virtual component and save it externally.

This is for an assembly found by the designer on the vendor website, downloaded, and then have all parts virtual in order to save one file to the correct file directory based on our new semi-intelligent part numbering system. The Access run-time Form called out in my macro will generate a part number based on user populated data, save the Assy or Part, and update the SQL server for GP. (Would appreciate any help on calling out the run-time form as well)

Please let me know if I am dreaming to make all this happen in a Macro as well. The run-time form is made already and I just need these connecting pieces to finalize it.