Create and Modify Distance Chain Pattern Feature Example (VBA)

This example shows how to create and modify a distance chain pattern feature.

'--------------------------------------------------------
' Preconditions:
' 1. Verify that the assembly to open exists.
' 2. Open the Immediate window.
'
' Postconditions:
' 1. Opens the specified assembly.
' 2. Selects entities to create a distance chain pattern feature.
' 3. Creates the distance chain pattern feature.
' 4. After examining the graphics area and FeatureManager design
'    tree, press F5.
' 5. Modifies the distance chain pattern feature.
' 6. Examine the graphics area to verify step 5.
' 7. Examine the Immediate window.
'
' NOTE: Because the assembly is used elsewhere, do not save
' changes.
'--------------------------------------------------------
Option Explicit

Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks
Dim swModel As SldWorks.ModelDoc2
Dim swModelDocExt As SldWorks.ModelDocExtension
Dim swFeatureManager As SldWorks.FeatureManager
Dim swFeature As SldWorks.Feature
Dim swChainPatternFeatureData As SldWorks.ChainPatternFeatureData
Dim status As Boolean
Dim errors As Long
Dim warnings As Long
Dim fileName As String

Sub main()

    Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
    fileName = "C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2018\samples\tutorial\api\distance linkage.sldasm"
    Set swModel = swApp.OpenDoc6(fileName, swDocumentTypes_e.swDocASSEMBLY, swOpenDocOptions_e.swOpenDocOptions_Silent, "", errors, warnings)

    'Select entities to create distance chain pattern feature
    Set swModelDocExt = swModel.Extension
    status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("Belt Drive Path", "SKETCH", 0, 0, 0, True, 0, Nothing, 0)
    status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("Mount Base-1@distance linkage", "COMPONENT", 0, 0, 0, True, 0, Nothing, 0)
    swModel.ViewZoomTo2 1.03935160466665, -9.95602294424154E-02, 0.846177052265487, 1.16810340243326, -0.261325308687639, 0.846177052265488
    status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("", "FACE", 0.187298652259415, -0.193039676915248, 0.113419833821467, True, 0, Nothing, 0)
    status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("Right Plane@Mount Base-1@distance linkage", "PLANE", 0, 0, 0, True, 0, Nothing, 0)
    swModel.ClearSelection2 True
    status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("Belt Drive Path", "SKETCH", 0, 0, 0, False, 2, Nothing, 0)
    status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("Mount Base-1@distance linkage", "COMPONENT", 0, 0, 0, True, 1, Nothing, 0)
    status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("", "FACE", 0.187298652259415, -0.193039676915248, 0.113419833821467, True, 256, Nothing, 0)
    status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("Right Plane@Mount Base-1@distance linkage", "PLANE", 0, 0, 0, True, 16384, Nothing, 0)    

    'Create distance chain pattern feature
    Set swFeatureManager = swModel.FeatureManager
    Set swFeature = swFeatureManager.FeatureChainPattern(swChainPatternPitchMethod_e.swChainPatternDistance, False, False, 4, 0.427720330394804, True, False, True, swChainPatternAlignment_e.swChainPatternAlignToSeed, swChainPatternOptions_e.swChainPatternDynamic)        

    swModel.ClearSelection2 True
    swModel.ViewZoomtofit2    

    Stop
    'Examine the graphics area and FeatureManager design tree
    'Press F5    

    'Modify distance chain pattern feature
    Set swChainPatternFeatureData = swFeature.GetDefinition
    status = swChainPatternFeatureData.AccessSelections(swModel, Nothing)
    swChainPatternFeatureData.Spacing = 0.078
    swChainPatternFeatureData.FillPath = True
    Debug.Print "Number of instances calculated by SOLIDWORKS to fill the path: " & swChainPatternFeatureData.InstanceCount
    swFeature.ModifyDefinition swChainPatternFeatureData, swModel, Nothing    

    'Examine the graphics area    

End Sub