SOLIDWORKS Macro to Toggle Explode and Collapse of an Assembly

Description

• Explodes the active assembly if it is collapsed, and collapses it if it is exploded.
• Uses the first exploded view of the active configuration.
• Ideal for a keyboard shortcut or toolbar button.

System Requirements

• SOLIDWORKS Version: SOLIDWORKS 2014 or newer
• Operating System: Windows 10 or later

Pre-Requisites

• The active document must be an assembly.
• The active configuration needs at least one exploded view.

Results

• The assembly switches between its exploded and collapsed states.

Steps to Set Up the Macro

1. Open SOLIDWORKS and the document described in the pre-requisites.

2. Create the macro

• Go to Tools > Macro > New, give the .swp file a name and save it. The VBA editor opens.
• Replace everything in the module with the code below.

3. Run the macro

• Press F5 in the VBA editor, or use Tools > Macro > Run.
• For daily use, assign it to a toolbar button or keyboard shortcut via Tools > Customize.

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 https://bluebyte.biz
' Reviewed and updated by Blue Byte Systems Inc.

Option Explicit

' Toggles the first exploded view of the active configuration:
' explodes the assembly if it is collapsed, collapses it if it is exploded.
' Assign it to a keyboard shortcut or toolbar button for one-click toggling.

Sub main()
    Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks
    Dim swModel As SldWorks.ModelDoc2
    Dim swAssy As SldWorks.AssemblyDoc
    Dim configName As String
    Dim vViewNames As Variant

    Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
    Set swModel = swApp.ActiveDoc

    If swModel Is Nothing Then Exit Sub
    If swModel.GetType <> swDocASSEMBLY Then
        MsgBox "The active document must be an assembly.", vbExclamation
        Exit Sub
    End If

    Set swAssy = swModel
    configName = swModel.ConfigurationManager.ActiveConfiguration.Name

    If swAssy.GetExplodedViewCount2(configName) < 1 Then
        MsgBox "The configuration '" & configName & "' has no exploded view.", vbInformation
        Exit Sub
    End If

    vViewNames = swAssy.GetExplodedViewNames2(configName)
    If Not swModel.Extension.SelectByID2(vViewNames(0), "EXPLODEDVIEWS", 0, 0, 0, False, 0, Nothing, 0) Then Exit Sub

    If swAssy.IsExploded Then
        swAssy.ViewCollapseAssembly
    Else
        swAssy.ViewExplodeAssembly
    End If

    swModel.ClearSelection2 True
End Sub

Code Review Notes

We reviewed this macro before publishing it here. Changes from the original version:

• Added a check for no open document.
• Replaced the abrupt End statements with clean exits and clear messages.

Need to customize the macro?

Contact us and we will adapt this macro to your workflow, or build a complete SOLIDWORKS or PDM automation for your team.