Add Reference Dimension Example (VBA)

This example shows how to add a reference dimension to a model in a drawing.

'---------------------------------------------------------------
' Preconditions:
' 1. Verify that the specified drawing document to open exists.
' 2. Open the Immediate window.
'
' Postconditions:
' 1. Opens the specified drawing document.
' 2. Activates a drawing view, selects an edge on the model, and
'    creates a dimension.
' 3. Prints to the Immediate window whether the dimension
'    is a reference dimension.
' 4. Examine the Immediate window.
'
' NOTE: Because the drawing document is used elsewhere, do not
' save any changes.
'---------------------------------------------------------------
Option Explicit

Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks
Dim swModel As SldWorks.ModelDoc2
Dim swDrawingDoc As SldWorks.DrawingDoc
Dim swModelDocExt As SldWorks.ModelDocExtension
Dim swDisplayDimension As SldWorks.DisplayDimension
Dim fileName As String
Dim status As Boolean
Dim errors As Long
Dim warnings As Long

Sub main()

    Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
    fileName = "C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2018\samples\tutorial\api\cylinder20.SLDDRW"
    Set swModel = swApp.OpenDoc6(fileName, swDocumentTypes_e.swDocDRAWING, swOpenDocOptions_e.swOpenDocOptions_Silent, "", errors, warnings)
    Set swDrawingDoc = swModel
    Set swModelDocExt = swModel.Extension    

    status = swDrawingDoc.ActivateView("Drawing View1")
    status = swModelDocExt.SelectByID2("", "EDGE", 0.512187343878665, 0.498697444621999, 249.953027873291, False, 0, Nothing, 0)
    Set swDisplayDimension = swModelDocExt.AddDimension(0.698326046410311, 0.699228314873418, 0, swSmartDimensionDirection_e.swSmartDimensionDirection_Up)
    Debug.Print ("Is reference dimension? " & swDisplayDimension.IsReferenceDim)    

    swModel.ClearSelection2 True    

End Sub