SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part I: SolidWorks Basics

SolidWorks gave these special actions a new page in the Options dialog, shown in Figure 2.33.

FIGURE 2.33

SolidWorks special settings for multi-touch controls

Accessing macros .............................................................................................

Macros are short snippets of programming code that have a particular function. Most macros are

small and intended for simple tasks that are repeated many times, such as changing selected

dimensions to four decimal places or zooming the screen so that it is sized 1:1 (actual size). Macros

may be recorded, written from scratch, or a combination where you record a particular action for

use as a starting point and then embellish it manually from there. Recorded macros may not always

record the parts of the action that you want to make into a macro, but you can edit them manually

to include anything that you can program with VBA (Visual Basic for Applications), which is

included with the base SolidWorks package at no extra cost.

To access macros by using hotkeys, follow these steps:

1. Make a folder in your SolidWorks installation directory called “macros.”


2. Copy macros into this folder.


3. Start (or restart) SolidWorks.


4. Choose Tools ➪ Customize ➪ Keyboard.


5. Scroll to the bottom of the list under the Macros category and then assign hotkeys
   as you would for standard SolidWorks commands.

Whether you are skilled at writing or recording macros, or you are just using macros collected

from other people, they can be huge time-savers and offer functionality that you would not other-

wise be able to access.