Set Tolerances and Compare Geometry Example (VBA)

This example shows how to set the tolerances and then compare the volume and geometry of two versions of the same part using the SOLIDWORKS Utilities API.

'----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Preconditions:
' 1. Add the SOLIDWORKS Utilities as an add-in
'    (in SOLIDWORKS , click Tools > Add-Ins > SOLIDWORKS Utilities).
' 2. Add the SOLIDWORKS Utilities type library as a reference
'    (in the SOLIDWORKS Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications IDE, click
'    Tools > References > SolidWorks Utilities <version> Type Library).
' 3. Verify that the specified parts exist.
' 4. Verify that C:\test\ exists.
' 5. Open the Immediate window.
'
' Postconditions:
' 1. Creates a geometry comparison report, C:\test\Report\gtReportIndex.htm.
' 2. Gets position and angular tolerance statuses.
' 3. Gets face and volume comparison statuses.
' 4. Examine the Immediate window, graphics area, and C:\test\Report\gtReportIndex.htm.
'
' NOTE: Because the parts are used elsewhere, do not save changes.
'-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Option Explicit
 

Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks

Dim Part As SldWorks.PartDoc

Sub main() 

Set swApp = Application.SldWorks

Set Part = swApp.ActiveDoc
 

Dim swUtil  As SWUtilities.gtcocswUtilities

Dim swUtilCompGeom  As SWUtilities.gtcocswCompareGeometry

Dim OUtils As SWUtilities.gtcocswUtilOptions

Dim file1 As String

Dim file2 As String

Dim reportname As String

Dim errorcode As gtError_e

Dim longStatus  As gtError_e

Dim posTol As Double

Dim angTol As Double

Dim AddToDesignBinder As Boolean

Dim OverwriteReport As Boolean

 

reportname = "C:\test\Report"

AddToDesignBinder = False

OverwriteReport = True

 

' Get pointer to SOLIDWORKS Utilities interface

Set swUtil = swApp.GetAddInObject("Utilities.UtilitiesApp")
 

' Get pointer to SOLIDWORKS Utilities Compare Geometry tool

Set swUtilCompGeom = swUtil.GetToolInterface(gtSwToolGeomDiff, errorcode)
 

' Get SOLIDWORKS Utilities options

Set OUtils = swUtil.Options

posTol = 0.0001 ' Meters

angTol = 0.000001 ' Radians
 

' Set position tolerance

errorcode = OUtils.SetPositionTolerance(posTol)

Debug.Print "Position tolerance set." & " gtError_e: " & errorcode
 

' Set angular tolerance

errorcode = OUtils.SetAngularTolerance(angTol)

Debug.Print "Angular tolerance set." & " gtError_e: " & errorcode

Debug.Print ""

Dim volDiffStatus As gtVolDiffStatusOptionType_e

Dim faceDiffStatus As gtVolDiffStatusOptionType_e

file1 = "C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2018\samples\tutorial\swutilities\bracket_a.sldprt"

file2 = "C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2018\samples\tutorial\swutilities\bracket_b.sldprt"
 

' Compare the geometry of the faces and volumes and save results to a report

errorcode = swUtilCompGeom.CompareGeometry3(file1, "", file2, "", gtGdfFaceAndVolumeCompare, gtResultSaveReport, reportname, AddToDesignBinder, OverwriteReport, volDiffStatus, faceDiffStatus)

    If Not longStatus = gtNOErr Then

        Debug.Print "Error comparing geometries. Inspect gtError_e = " & longStatus & " in the API help."

    End If

    

    Call diffStatus("Volume comparison", volDiffStatus)

    Call diffStatus("Face comparison", faceDiffStatus)

    

' Perform any necessary cleanup

errorcode = swUtilCompGeom.Close()
 

End Sub

Sub diffStatus(ByVal name As String, ByVal diffCode As gtVolDiffStatusOptionType_e)

    Debug.Print name

    Select Case diffCode

        Case gtSuccess

            Debug.Print "Succeeded"

        Case gtNotPerformed

            Debug.Print "Not performed"

        Case gtCanceled

            Debug.Print "Canceled"

        Case gtFailed

            Debug.Print "Failed"

        Case gtIdenticalParts

            Debug.Print "Identical parts"

        Case gtDifferentParts

            Debug.Print "Different parts"

        Case gtNoSolidBody

            Debug.Print "No solid body found"

        Case gtAlreadySaved

            Debug.Print "Already saved"

    End Select

    Debug.Print ""

End Sub