Insert Variable Pattern Feature Example (VBA)

This example shows how to insert a variable pattern feature.

'----------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Preconditions:
' 1. Verify that the 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 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 swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat As SldWorks.DimPatternFeatureData
Dim fileName As String
Dim status As Boolean
Dim errors As Long, warnings As Long
Dim nbr As Long
Dim dimNbr as Long
Dim i As Long
Dim j As Long
Dim controllingDimNames() As String
Dim controllingDimName as String
Dim instanceName As String
Dim instanceNames() As String
Dim patternName As String

Sub main()

    Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
    fileName = "C:\Users\Public\Documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2019\samples\tutorial\api\cstick.sldprt"
    Set swModel = swApp.OpenDoc6(fileName, swDocumentTypes_e.swDocPART, swOpenDocOptions_e.swOpenDocOptions_Silent, "", errors, warnings)
    Set 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
    Set 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

    Set swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat = swFeatureManager.CreateDefinition(swFmDimPattern)
    Set swFeature = swFeatureManager.CreateFeature(swDimensionDrivenTablePatternFeat)

    Set 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 Preserve 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 Preserve 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 = 1 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