Insert Variable Pattern Feature Example (VB.NET)

This example shows how to insert a variable pattern feature.

'----------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Preconditions:
' 1. Verify that the specified part to open exists.
' 2. Verify that c:\temp exists.
' 3. Open the Immediate window.
'
' Postconditions:
' 1. Inserts a variable pattern feature.
' 2. Exports the table to a Microsoft Excel file.
' 3. Examine the graphics area, Immediate window, and c:\temp.
'
' NOTE: Because the part is used elsewhere, do not save changes.
'----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Imports SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks
Imports SolidWorks.Interop.swconst
Imports System.Runtime.InteropServices
Imports System
Imports System.Diagnostics
 
Partial Class SolidWorksMacro
 
    Public Sub Main()
 
        Dim swModel As ModelDoc2
        Dim swModelDocExt As ModelDocExtension
        Dim swFeatureManager As FeatureManager
        Dim swFeature As Feature
        Dim swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat As DimPatternFeatureData
        Dim fileName As String
        Dim status As Boolean
        Dim errors As Integer, warnings As Integer
        Dim nbr As Integer
        Dim dimNbr As Integer
        Dim i As Integer
Dim j As Integer
Dim controllingDimNames() As String
Dim controllingDimName As String
Dim instanceName As String
Dim instanceNames() As String
Dim patternName As String
 
        fileName = "C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2019\samples\tutorial\api\cstick.sldprt"
        swModel = swApp.OpenDoc6(fileName, swDocumentTypes_e.swDocPART, swOpenDocOptions_e.swOpenDocOptions_Silent, "", errors, warnings)
        swModelDocExt = swModel.Extension
 
        'Select feature to pattern
        status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("Sweep1", "BODYFEATURE", 0, 0, 0, False, 4, Nothing, 0)
 
        'Select reference geometry to drive seed feature
        status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("Sketch1", "SKETCH", 0, 0, 0, True, 1048576, Nothing, 0)
 
        'Populate table
        swFeatureManager = swModel.FeatureManager
        status = swFeatureManager.InsertVaryInstanceOverride("D1@Sketch2@cstick.SLDPRT", 256, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0.085)
        status = swFeatureManager.InsertVaryInstanceOverride("D3@Sketch2@cstick.SLDPRT", 256, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0.04)
        status = swFeatureManager.InsertVaryInstanceOverride("D4@Sketch2@cstick.SLDPRT", 256, 1, 0, 1, 0, 0.03)
        status = swFeatureManager.InsertVaryInstanceOverride("D1@Sketch2@cstick.SLDPRT", 256, 1, 0, 2, 0, 0.105)
        status = swFeatureManager.InsertVaryInstanceOverride("D3@Sketch2@cstick.SLDPRT", 256, 1, 0, 2, 0, 0.06)
        status = swFeatureManager.InsertVaryInstanceOverride("D4@Sketch2@cstick.SLDPRT", 256, 1, 0, 2, 0, 0.05)
 
        'Insert the variable pattern feature
        'and access its feature data
        swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat = swFeatureManager.CreateDefinition(swFeatureNameID_e.swFmDimPattern)
        swFeature = swFeatureManager.CreateFeature(swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat)
        swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat = swFeature.GetDefinition
        status = swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.AccessSelections(swModel, Nothing)

        nbr = swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.GetInstanceCount
        Debug.Print("Number of pattern instances: " & nbr)

        dimNbr = swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.GetControllingDimensionCount
        Debug.Print("Number of controlling dimensions: " & dimNbr)
        Debug.Print("  Controlling dimension names: ")
        ReDim controllingDimNames(dimNbr)
        For i = 0 To dimNbr - 1
            controllingDimNames(i) = swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.GetControllingDimensionName(i)
            controllingDimName = controllingDimNames(i)
            Debug.Print("     " & controllingDimName)
        Next i
 
        Debug.Print("Names of pattern instances:")
        ReDim instanceNames(nbr - 1)
        j = 0
        For i = 1 To nbr
            instanceName = swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.GetInstanceNameByIndex(i)
            Debug.Print("  " & instanceName)
            instanceNames(j) = instanceName
            j = j + 1
        Next i
 
        Debug.Print("Table row indices of pattern instances:")
        For i = 0 To nbr - 1
            Debug.Print("  " & swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.GetTableRowIndex(instanceNames(i)) & ": " & instanceNames(i))
        Next i

        Debug.Print("Pattern dimension names: ")
        For i = 0 To nbr - 1
            For j = 0 To dimNbr - 1
               patternName = swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.GetInstanceDimensionName(instanceNames(i), controllingDimNames(j))
               Debug.Print("  " & patternName & ": " & instanceNames(i) & ": Controlling dimension name: " & swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.GetControllingDimensionName(j))
            Next j
        Next i

        Debug.Print("Pattern instance suppression state:")
        For i = 0 To nbr - 1
            Debug.Print("  " & swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.GetInstanceSuppressStateByIndex(swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.GetTableRowIndex(instanceNames(i))) & ": " & instanceNames(i))
        Next i

        ' Export table to Microsoft Excel file
        errors = swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.ExportToExcel("c:\temp\cstickVarPattern.xls", True)
        Debug.Print "Table exported to Microsoft Excel file (0 = Succeeded)? " & errors

        swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat.ReleaseSelectionAccess()
  
    End Sub
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' The SldWorks swApp variable is pre-assigned for you.
    ''' </summary>
    Public swApp As SldWorks
 
 
End Class