Create Setup Project to Distribute SolidWorks Add-in
To create the Windows Installer setup project and files:
Create a new add-in using a SolidWorks
API SDK template in Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2005 or later.
Open the add-in’s solution file in Microsoft Visual
Studio .NET 2005 or later.
Click File, Add,
New Project to open the Add New
Project dialog.
Expand Other
Project Types in Project Types.
Click Setup
and Deployment in Project Types.
Click Setup
Project in Templates.
Type the name of your project in Name.
Click OK.
Select your new setup project in the Solution
Explorer.
Click Project,
Add, Project Output to open the Add
Project Output Group dialog.
Select your add-in’s project in Project.
Select Primary
Output in the list.
Click OK.
To display your add-in in the SolidWorks Add-ins manager:
Click View, Editor,
Registry.
Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Right-click Software,
select New, Key, and type SolidWorks as the new key’s name.
Right-click SolidWorks,
select New, Key, and type Addins as the new key’s name.
Right-click Addins,
select New, Key, and type {Your
add-in’s GUID} as the new
key’s name.
NOTE: You must enclose your GUID in curly braces.
Right-click the GUID key, select New,
DWORD Value.
Type Default
in Name and type the value set
by your add-in’s RegisterFunction function in Value.
Right-click the GUID key, select New,
String Value.
Type Description
in Name and type the value set
by your add-in’s RegisterFunction function in Value
(e.g., “MyNewAddin description”).
Right-click the GUID key, select New,
String Value.
Type Title
in Name and type the value set
by your add-in’s RegisterFunction function in Value
(e.g., “MyNewAddin”).
Save and build the setup project.
A setup.exe file and a .msi file are created that you can use
to distribute your add-in.