Create Forming Tool Feature Example (C#)

This example shows how to create a forming tool feature.

// ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

// Preconditions:

// 1. Open public_documents\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 2025\samples\tutorial\sheetmetal\formtools\cover.sldprt.

// 2. On the SOLIDWORKS toolbar, click Tools > Macro > New and create a C# macro.

// 3. Copy and paste the code below into SolidWorksMacro.cs.

// 4. Modify the two formtoolpath locations.

// 5. Run the macro.

// 6. At the pause, inspect the FeatureManager design tree and the graphics area for the drafted rectangular emboss forming tool.

// Then select a flat face where to re-position (and replace) the forming tool.

// 7. Press F5 finish.

//

// Postconditions:

// 1. A dimple emboss replaces the drafted rectangular emboss.

// 2. Inspect the FeatureManager design tree, graphics area, and the Immediate window.

//

// NOTE: Do not save the part as it may be used elsewhere.

// ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

using System;

using System.Collections.Generic;

using System.Diagnostics;

using System.Linq;

using System.Text;

using System.Threading.Tasks;

using System.Windows;

using System.Windows.Forms;

 

using SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks;

using SolidWorks.Interop.swconst;

 

 

namespace CreateFormingTool_CSharp

{

    public partial class SolidWorksMacro

    {

        private ModelDoc2 swModel;

        private FeatureManager featMgr;

        private bool boolstatus;

 

        public void Main()

        {

            swModel = (ModelDoc2)swApp.ActiveDoc;

 

            // Select a flat face where to insert an emboss forming tool

            boolstatus = swModel.Extension.SelectByRay(0.0553557395141979, 0.0303381093343091, 0.0266948404126879, -0.707061513640545, -0.415946801562901, -0.57188484347632, 0.000532844353755021, 2, false, 0, 0);

 

            featMgr = swModel.FeatureManager;

 

            LibraryFormToolFeatureData LibFormToolFeatureData;

            LibFormToolFeatureData = (LibraryFormToolFeatureData)featMgr.CreateDefinition((int)swFeatureNameID_e.swFmFormToolInstance);

 

            LibFormToolFeatureData.LinkToFormTool = true;

            LibFormToolFeatureData.FormToolPath = @"E:\images\2025_SP02_release64\d250219.026.F63\WinRel64\WinRel64\data\Design Library\forming tools\embosses\drafted rectangular emboss.sldftp";

            LibFormToolFeatureData.OverrideDocumentSettings(true, true, true, true);

            LibFormToolFeatureData.RotationAngle = 0.5;

 

            Feature swFeat;

            swFeat = featMgr.CreateFeature(LibFormToolFeatureData);

 

            System.Diagnostics.Debugger.Break(); // Inspect the graphics area and FeatureManager design tree; select a flat face where to re-position (and replace) the forming tool

 

            SelectionMgr selMgr;

            selMgr = (SelectionMgr)swModel.SelectionManager;

 

            Face2 face2;

            face2 = (Face2)selMgr.GetSelectedObject6(1, -1);

 

            object pickPt;

            pickPt = selMgr.GetSelectionPoint2(1, -1);

 

            MathUtility MU;

            MU = (MathUtility)swApp.GetMathUtility();

 

            MathPoint mathPt;

            mathPt = (MathPoint)MU.CreatePoint(pickPt);

 

            swModel.ClearSelection2(true);

 

            LibraryFormToolFeatureData swLibFormFeatData1;

            swLibFormFeatData1 = (LibraryFormToolFeatureData)swFeat.GetDefinition();

 

            Debug.Print("Forming tool punch ID: " + swLibFormFeatData1.GetPunchID());

            Debug.Print("Forming tool part configuration: " + swLibFormFeatData1.FormToolConfiguration);

            Debug.Print("Forming tool path: " + swLibFormFeatData1.FormToolPath);

            Debug.Print("Link to Design Library part? " + swLibFormFeatData1.LinkToFormTool);

            Debug.Print("Rotation angle: " + swLibFormFeatData1.RotationAngle);

 

            swLibFormFeatData1.AccessSelections(swModel, null);

 

            Face2 face;

            face = (Face2)swLibFormFeatData1.PlacementFace;

 

            swLibFormFeatData1.RotationAngle = 0.7833;

            swLibFormFeatData1.OverrideDocumentSettings(true, true, true, true);

            swLibFormFeatData1.FormToolConfiguration = "Default";

            swLibFormFeatData1.FormToolPath = @"E:\images\2025_SP02_release64\d250219.026.F63\WinRel64\WinRel64\data\Design Library\forming tools\embosses\dimple.SLDFTP";

            swLibFormFeatData1.LinkToFormTool = true;

            Entity ent;

            ent = (Entity)face;

            ent.Select4(true, null);

 

            swLibFormFeatData1.SetPlacementFace(face2, mathPt);

 

            swFeat.ModifyDefinition(swLibFormFeatData1, swModel, null);

 

            Face2 face1;

            face1 = (Face2)swLibFormFeatData1.PlacementFace;

        }

 

        // The SldWorks swApp variable is pre-assigned for you.

        public SldWorks swApp;

 

    }

}