SOLIDWORKS Macro to Save Drawings as PDF (Toolbar Button Integration)

Description

This macro is a one-action solution that exports the active SolidWorks drawing as a PDF file. It combines all the drawing sheets into one single PDF file. This utility is made to be paired with a custom button on the SolidWorks toolbar as a quick one-click way for engineers to create a SolidWorks PDF directly from the drawing environment. The SOLIDWORKS macro to save drawings as PDF makes this process even more efficient by automating the export with a single command.

System Requirements

• SolidWorks Version: SolidWorks 2014 or newer
• Operating System: Windows 7 or later

Pre-Conditions

• The active document must be a saved drawing file (.SLDDRW). 
• The drawing file must have a valid path (not saved to read-only). 
• This macro is designed to exclusively work with drawing documents and will not work with part or assembly files.

Results

• Every sheet contained in the active drawing is exported into a single PDF file. 
• The PDF file is automatically saved in the same directory as the original drawing file, and uses the original drawing name with the extension of .PDF. 
• A message box indicates the status of the operation (Completion status or Failure).

Steps to Set Up the Macro

To create the one-click PDF export functionality:

1. Create the Macro File: In SolidWorks, choose Tools > Macro > New….
2. Save the File: Give the macro a name (e.g.,  ExportDrawingPDF.swp) and save it to a location you intend to keep it. The VBA editor will launch immediately after.
3. Insert the Code: Copy the code from the “VBA Macro Code” below and paste it in the VBA editor, erasing the prefilled content.
4. Save and Close: Save in the VBA editor.
5. Create the Button on the Toolbar:
   • Go to: Tools > Customize (this can also be called Options > Customize).
   • Click on the Commands tab.
   • Select Macro from the Categories list.
   • Click and drag the ‘New Macro Button’ and drop it in an existing toolbar, or create a new custom toolbar.
   • Configure the Button: Right-click the new button and select “Customize Macro Button…”.
     • Macro File: Browse to the folder where you saved the ExportDrawingPDF.swp and select it.
     • Method: Specify the main subroutine.
     • Tooltip/Image: Provide an appropriate tooltip (e.g., One-Click Save as PDF) and also provide a toolbar icon.

VBA Macro Code

' Disclaimer:
' The code provided should be used at your own risk.  
' Blue Byte Systems Inc. assumes no responsibility for any issues or damages that may arise from using or modifying this code.  
' For more information, visit [Blue Byte Systems Inc.](https://bluebyte.biz).

Option Explicit

' --------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Main subroutine to save the active drawing as a PDF file
' --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sub main()

    ' Declare and initialize necessary SolidWorks objects
    Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks             ' SolidWorks application object
    Dim swModel As SldWorks.ModelDoc2          ' Active document object (drawing)
    Dim swModelDocExt As SldWorks.ModelDocExtension ' Document extension object for saving operations
    Dim swExportData As SldWorks.ExportPdfData ' PDF export data object
    Dim boolstatus As Boolean                  ' Boolean status to capture operation results
    Dim filename As String                     ' String to hold the file path of the drawing
    Dim lErrors As Long                        ' Error variable for save operation
    Dim lWarnings As Long                      ' Warning variable for save operation

    ' Initialize SolidWorks application and get the active document
    Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
    Set swModel = swApp.ActiveDoc

    ' Check if there is an active document open
    If swModel Is Nothing Then
        MsgBox "No current document. Please open a drawing and try again.", vbCritical, "No Active Document"
        End
    End If

    ' Check if the active document is a drawing
    If swModel.GetType <> swDocDRAWING Then
        MsgBox "This macro only works on drawings. Please open a drawing and try again.", vbCritical, "Invalid Document Type"
        End
    End If

    ' Get the document extension object for saving operations
    Set swModelDocExt = swModel.Extension

    ' Get the export PDF data object to specify PDF export options
    Set swExportData = swApp.GetExportFileData(swExportPDFData)

    ' Get the file path of the active drawing
    filename = swModel.GetPathName

    ' Check if the drawing has been saved previously (it must have a valid file path)
    If filename = "" Then
        MsgBox "Please save the file first and try again.", vbCritical, "File Not Saved"
        End
    End If

    ' Generate the PDF file path by changing the file extension to .PDF
    filename = Strings.Left(filename, Len(filename) - 6) & "PDF"

    ' Set the export option to include all sheets in the PDF file
    boolstatus = swExportData.SetSheets(swExportData_ExportAllSheets, 1)

    ' Save the drawing as a PDF file using the specified filename and options
    boolstatus = swModelDocExt.SaveAs(filename, 0, 0, swExportData, lErrors, lWarnings)

    ' Check if the save operation was successful and display a message box
    If boolstatus Then
        MsgBox "Save as PDF successful!" & vbNewLine & filename, vbInformation, "Save Successful"
    Else
        MsgBox "Save as PDF failed. Error code: " & lErrors, vbExclamation, "Save Failed"
    End If

End Sub

Macro

You can download the macro from here

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