Object Linking and Embedding

You can embed an OLE object from another program into the active SolidWorks document. You can:

• Open another program from within SolidWorks and create a new object.

• Insert an existing file.

• Embed or link the object.

• Edit an object in its original application from within SolidWorks.

• Display objects in front of or behind annotations and dimensions.

 To create a new OLE Object:

1. Click Insert, Object.

2. In the dialog box, select Create New.

3. In the Object Type box, click the type of document you want to create (for example, Microsoft Excel Worksheet). Only documents from OLE-compliant applications that are installed on your computer appear in the list.

4. Select Display As Icon for the new object to appear as an icon.

5. Click OK. A new document appears inside the active document. The toolbars and menus for this new document appear in place of the SolidWorks toolbars and menus.

   If you chose Display As Icon, an icon appears in your SolidWorks document, and the parent application opens in another window.

6. Edit the object as though you were working in the parent application.

7. When you finish editing, click in the SolidWorks document window anywhere outside the embedded object. The SolidWorks toolbars and menus become available again.

   If you chose Display As Icon, click File, Exit or File, Close & Return to <part_name> in the parent application.

To insert an existing file as an OLE object:

1. Click Insert, Object.

2. In the dialog box, select Create from File.

3. Click Browse, locate a file, and click Open.

4. Select from the following:

5. • Link. The object is linked to the original document, and changes made to the original document are reflected in the SolidWorks document. If the object is not linked, it is embedded.

   • Display As Icon.

   If you select both options, the new object is displayed as an icon, and the software creates a shortcut to the original document. If you select neither, the new object is displayed in the SolidWorks document, but it is not linked.

6. Click OK to insert the file.

   To change the display of the OLE object, click Edit, Object, Display Content , Display as Icon , or Reset Size . To view the object properties, right-click the object and select Properties .

To edit an OLE object with its application:

1. Right-click the OLE object and select Edit with <application_name>.

   The OLE object opens in its parent application, such as Visio, Microsoft Word, or Microsoft Excel.

2. Edit the OLE object, then close it and return to the SolidWorks document.

To display objects behind or on top of annotations and dimensions:

Right-click the object and select Send To Back or Bring To Front.