Creating Serial Numbers (C#)

This sample shows how to generate serial numbers for file data cards using an add-in written in Visual C#.

NOTES:

• Because SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM 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 Enterprise PDM 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. Write an add-in to generate the serial number only 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 (C#) 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 void GetAddInInfo(ref EdmAddInInfo poInfo, IEdmVault5 poVault, IEdmCmdMgr5 poCmdMgr)
   {
          //Return information about this add-in to the Administrate Add-ins dialog
          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;
    
          //Notify that a serial number needs to be generated
          poCmdMgr.AddHook(EdmCmdType.EdmCmd_SerialNo);
   }

3. Implement IEdmAddIn5::OnCmd as follows:

public void OnCmd(ref EdmCmd poCmd, ref Array ppoData)
{
       //Check the upper and lower bounds of the array 
       int Index = ppoData.GetLowerBound(0);
       int last = ppoData.GetUpperBound(0);
 
       if (Index <= last) {
           int cnt; 
           cnt = last - Index + 1 ;
 
           //Create a temporary array to which you have full access
           EdmCmdData[] tmpArr; 
           tmpArr = (EdmCmdData[])ppoData; 
 
           //Generate serial numbers for all of the affected files 
           String CounterVal; 
 
           while (Index <= last) {
               CounterVal = tmpArr[Index].mlLongData1.ToString() ;
               String s;
               s = "My serno(" + CounterVal + ")" ;
                    tmpArr[Index].mbsStrData1 = s ;
                    Index = Index + 1 ;
           }
 
           //Return the updated data 
            ppoData = tmpArr;
       }
}


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 Enterprise PDM Administration tool:
    
   1. Open the SOLIDWORKS Enterprise PDM 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 File.
    
    The file data card displays a serial number in Title of the newly added file.