Some document property settings are options users might want to tweak frequently but don’t have a way to add a button to a toolbar because the setting doesn’t have a predefined button. If the setting is accessible to the SolidWorks API then a macro can be written and a Macro Button can be added to a toolbar. This is much faster than the repetitive click sequence of Tools > Options > Settings > Document Properties.

A good example is setting the graphics quality of a part file. Models from other users often have their graphics quality set to the preference of the original file author. This setting can be adjusted to something more appropriate for its current usage. This is typically accessed by selecting Tools > Options > Document Properties > Image Quality, move the appropriate slider to the desired value and then select OK. This particular setting is exposed to the SolidWorks API so creating a button for a simple macro could save some clicks over time:

Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks

Dim swModel As SldWorks.ModelDoc2

Sub main()

Set swApp = Application.SldWorks

Set swModel = swApp.ActiveDoc

swModel.SetTessellationQuality (0)

swModel.GraphicsRedraw2

End Sub

Notice the SetTessellationQuality method has a value of zero which is the lowest possible value. The number can be between 0 and 100 and indicates the quality of tessellation to use for a part. A higher value will result in finer tessellation which may or may not be desirable. Higher tessellation may look better but is also more demanding on the graphics card. For more information on other possible usages be sure to check the SolidWorks API help for SetTessellationQuality.

Once a macro has been created and saved as an SWP file it’s just a matter of mapping a button at the desired toolbar location.

- Right click on the CommandManager, select Customize and then select the Commands tab.

- Navigate to the Macro section and select the New Macro Button icon.

- Drag and drop the icon to the desired location on an existing toolbar and map the button to the SWP file location.

There is also an optional ability to add a custom icon image if multiple macro buttons are added.