Creating Serial Numbers (VB.NET)

This sample shows how to generate serial numbers for file data cards using an add-in written in VB.NET.

NOTES:

• Because SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional cannot force a reload of add-ins if they are written in .NET, all client machines must be restarted to ensure that the latest version of the add-in is used.

• SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional recommends that serial numbers be generated using the built-in format strings or lists. They provide better performance than serial numbers generated by add-ins or serial numbers from files. Only write an add-in to generate the serial number if built-in format strings or lists are insufficient.  

• The differences between serial number generation and other types of hooks are:

  • Hook you register in your IEdmAddIn5::GetAddInInfo method.

  • Contents of your IEdmAddIn5::OnCmd method.

1. Follow Creating Menu Commands (VB.NET) to create a basic add-in.

2. Register a hook to notify your add-in when a serial number needs to be generated. Implement IEdmAddIn5::GetAddInInfo as follows:

Public Sub GetAddInInfo(ByRef poInfo As EdmLib.EdmAddInInfo, ByVal poVault As EdmLib.IEdmVault5, ByVal poCmdMgr As EdmLib.IEdmCmdMgr5) Implements EdmLib.IEdmAddIn5.GetAddInInfo

  'Specify add-in information
  poInfo.mbsAddInName = "My serial number generator"
  poInfo.mbsCompany = "The name of my company"
  poInfo.mbsDescription = "Implements serial numbers"
  poInfo.mlAddInVersion = 1
  poInfo.mlRequiredVersionMajor = 5
  poInfo.mlRequiredVersionMinor = 2

  'Register that a serial number needs to be generated
  poCmdMgr.AddHook(EdmCmdType.EdmCmd_SerialNo)

End Sub

3. Implement IEdmAddIn5::OnCmd as follows:

Public Sub OnCmd(ByRef poCmd As EdmLib.EdmCmd, ByRef ppoData As System.Array) Implements EdmLib.IEdmAddIn5.OnCmd

  'Check the upper and lower bounds of the array
  Dim index As Long index = LBound(ppoData)
  Dim last As Long last = UBound(ppoData)

  If index <= last Then
    Dim cnt As Integer
    cnt = last - index + 1

    'Create a temporary array to which you have full access
    Dim tmpArr(cnt) As EdmCmdData
    tmpArr = ppoData

    'Generate serial numbers for all of the affected files
    Dim CounterVal As String

    While index <= last
      CounterVal = tmpArr(index).mlLongData1
      Dim s As String
      s = "My serno(" + CounterVal + ")"
      tmpArr(index).mbsStrData1 = s
      index = index + 1
    End While

    'Return the updated data
    ppoData = tmpArr
  End If

End Sub

The second argument to OnCmd is an array of EdmCmdData structures. There is one element in the array for each file that is affected by the call. See EdmCmdData for a complete list of members and their descriptions.

4. Click Build > Build Solution to build the add-in.

5. Install the add-in through the SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Administration tool:
    
   1. Open the SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Administration tool.
       
   2. Expand the vault where you want to install this add-in and log in as Admin.
       
   3. Right-click Add-ins and click New Add-in.
       
   4. Browse to project_path\project_name\project_name\bin\Debug, click project_name.dll and Interop.EdmLib.dll.
       
   5. Click Open.
       
   6. Click OK.
       
   7. Click OK.

6. Right-click the Serial Numbers node in the tree and click New Serial Number.

7. Create a new serial number in the Name field and select Serial number from add-in in the Type dropdown.
   
   

   The name of your add-in is displayed in Name of add-in.

8. After ensuring that your add-in is selected, click OK.

   Now you can connect the add-in serial number to controls in your file data cards.

9. Click Cards > File Cards, double-click Text Card, and click the Title control.

10. In the Default value group box on the Edit-box properties panel, click Serial number and select the serial number that you created in step 7.

    

11. Save the card and exit the Card Editor.

12. Create a new text file by right-clicking in a Windows Explorer vault view and clicking New > Text Document.
    
    The file data card displays a serial number in Title of the newly added file.