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Block Definitions and Block Instances

 

The ISketchBlockDefinition and ISketchBlockInstance interfaces replace the now obsolete and not supported IBlockDefinition and IBlockInstances interfaces.

 

Blocks have definitions and instances. You can use block definitions and block instances in:

  • parts and assemblies for laying out key design components in 2D, analyzing kinematic motion in 2D, analyzing tolerance stack-ups between mating parts or features, etc.

  • drawings for items that you use often, such as standard notes, title blocks, label positions, etc.

In parts and assemblies only, block instances appear in the FeatureManager design tree under sketch features. In drawings only, block definitions appear as features in the FeatureManager design tree.

Edits to block definitions apply to all blocks instances of the same block definition, but changes to block instances apply only to the selected block instance.

The ISketchManager interface includes methods for creating, inserting, getting, and editing block definitions and block instances.

Block definitions

To...

Use...

Instead of using the now obsolete and not supported...

Create block definitions

ISketchManager::MakeSketchBlockFromFile

- or -

ISketchManager::MakeSketchBlockFromSelected

- or -

ISketchManager::MakeSketchBlockFromSketch

IDrawingDoc::MakeBlockDefinition

Edit block definitions

ISketchManager::EditSketchBlock and ISketchManager::EndEditSketchBlock

IDrawingDoc::GetEditBlock

Explode block definitions

 

ISketchManager::ExplodeSketchBlockInstance

IDrawingDoc::ExplodeBlockInstance

Get block definitions in parts or assemblies

ISketchManager::GetSketchBlockDefinitions

- or -

Traverse the FeatureManager design tree to get the sketch under which the block instance appears, get the block instance from the sketch using ISketch::GetSketchBlockInstances, and from the block instance get its block definition using ISketchBlockInstance::Definition

 

None

Get block definitions in drawings

ISketchManager::GetSketchBlockDefinitions

- or -

Traverse the FeatureManager design tree to get the block and then use IFeature::GetSpecificFeature2

 

IDrawingDoc::GetBlockDefinition and IDrawingDoc::GetBlockDefinitions

Get notes in block definitions

ISketchBlockDefinition::GetNotes

IBlockDefinition::GetNotes

Get sketch and sketch entities in block definitions

ISketchBlockDefinition::GetArcs, ISketchBlockDefinition::GetEllipses, ISketchBlockDefinition::GetLines, ISketchBlockDefinition::GetParabolas, ISketchBlockDefinition::GetSketch, ISketchBlockDefinition::GetSplines2, and ISketchBlockDefinition::GetUserPoints

IBlockDefinition::GetSketch

Identify sketch block definitions ISketchBlockDefinition::GetFeature and IFeature::GetTypeName2

For example, in VBA:

Dim swFeature as SldWorks.Feature

Set swFeature = swSketchBlockDefinition.GetFeature

Debug.Print swFeature.Name & [" & swFeature.GetTypeName2 & "]"

swFeature.GetTypeName2 returns SketchBlockDef.

None

Link block definitions to files

ISketchBlockDefinition::FileName and ISketchBlockDefinition::LinkToFile

IBlockDefinition::GetExternalFileName, IBlockDefinition::GetUseExternalFile, IBlockDefinition::SetExternalFileName, and IBlockDefinition::SetUseExternalFile

Save block definitions to files

ISketchBlockDefinition::Save

IDrawingDoc::SaveBlock

 

Block instances

To...

Use...

Instead of using the now obsolete and not supported...

Edit block instances

ISketchBlockInstance::SetAttributeValue

IBlockInstance::SetAttributeValue

Explode block instances

ISketchManager::ExplodeSketchBlockInstance

IDrawingDoc::ExplodeBlockInstance

Get attributes and set attribute values for block instances

ISketchBlockInstance::GetAttributes, ISketchBlockInstance::GetAttributeValue, and ISketchBlockInstance::SetAttributeValue

IBlockInstance::GetAttributes, IBlockInstance::GetAttributeValue, and IBlockInstance::SetAttributeValue

Get block instances

ISketchBlockDefinition::GetInstances

IBlockDefinition::GetBlockInstances

Insert block instances

ISketchManager::InsertSketchBlockInstance

IDrawingDoc::InsertBlock

- or -

IBlockDefinition::InsertInstance

Examine ISketchManager, ISketchBlockDefinition, and ISketchBlockInstance to see all of the methods and properties available for blocks. See the SolidWorks Help for additional details about blocks.

 

 

 



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