TLDR: You can download the Tetris game by providing your email address. Here are the instructions to play:

• Open a new part in SOLIDWORKS.
• Load the macro (make sure to run the main subroutine)
• Click on the top button to build the board. This might take a few moments.
• Click on start to begin playing.

In this article, we’re diving into how you can create the iconic Tetris game in SOLIDWORKS using a custom VBA macro. I’m calling this project SOLIDWORKS Tetris, and it’s a fun way to combine gaming with CAD modeling. Using SOLIDWORKS’ API, I’ve managed to recreate the classic Tetris mechanics: falling blocks, collision detection, rotating pieces, clearing lines, and even an online high-score system.

Here’s a breakdown of how I built SOLIDWORKS Tetris and how you can make your own version too!

Getting Started

The first thing you’ll want to do is set up the board. Using SOLIDWORKS, we create a grid of cubes, each one representing a block in the game. The grid is 10 columns wide and 20 rows high, just like the original Tetris game. We use SOLIDWORKS to generate small cubes and position them in the grid, creating the visual representation of the game space.

Creating the Tetris Shapes

Next, we define the seven standard Tetris shapes. Each shape has different rotations, and we store these rotations in an array. You’ve got the classic shapes like the I, O, and T blocks, and these are represented by four blocks each, rotating in different ways.

• I Shape: Four blocks in a line, with two possible rotations.
• O Shape: A 2×2 square that doesn’t rotate.
• T Shape: A T-shaped block that can rotate in four ways.

I’ve set up a few of these shapes, but you can add the rest (S, Z, J, L) as well!

Collision Detection

Collision detection is a big part of Tetris, and we need to make sure the pieces don’t overlap or move outside the grid. I check for collisions whenever a piece moves or rotates. The game will stop the piece from moving if it’s out of bounds or collides with another piece already on the board.

Rendering and Moving the Pieces

Once the pieces are defined, it’s time to make them move! Each piece starts at the top of the board, and you control it using the arrow keys on your keyboard. I use the GetAsyncKeyState function to capture the input and move or rotate the piece accordingly.

As the pieces fall, I check for collisions each time the piece moves. If the piece hits the bottom or another block, it locks into place, and a new piece appears at the top.

Clearing Lines and Scoring

When a line is completely filled, it gets cleared, and all the blocks above it drop down. I keep track of the score, giving you points every time you clear a line. The more lines you clear, the higher your score!

Game Loop

The game runs in a loop where:

• A random piece is chosen and starts falling.
• The piece falls until it either collides with another block or reaches the bottom.
• Once the piece locks in place, a new piece is generated.
• The game checks for complete lines, clears them, and updates your score.

As you play, the game speeds up, making it more challenging over time!

User Input

To control the pieces, you simply use the arrow keys:

• Left/Right Arrows: Move the piece horizontally.
• Up Arrow: Rotate the piece.
• Down Arrow: Speed up the piece’s descent.

High Score System

I added a high-score system to make the game more competitive. After each game, your score is saved online, and you can check out the top scores. You’ll even get a global leaderboard to see how you rank!

You can also see the top scores within your company by sharing a unique company ID, making it a fun challenge among coworkers.

Get the Source Code

If you want to dive deeper into SOLIDWORKS Tetris and access the source code, it’s available when you purchase the SOLIDWORKS API course bundle from Blue Byte Systems Inc. This course bundle will teach you how to harness the power of the SOLIDWORKS API for projects like this and many more!

Wrapping Up

Building SOLIDWORKS Tetris was a fun and creative project. It combines the logic of game development with the power of SOLIDWORKS’ API to create something completely unique. Whether you’re a SOLIDWORKS user, a game enthusiast, or just someone looking for a cool project, this is a great way to get hands-on with SOLIDWORKS and the API.

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