Catscript: Generative Sheet Metal Design

[coyotesnack]

Is it possible to use VBA script for the tools in the generative sheet metal design workbench? I've created a number of pads that I'd like to recognize as sheet metal parts, incorporate bends, and then unfold. However, based on my searching, it seems like the GSMD workbench tools cannot be scripted. I'm using V5R18. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Azrael]

Could you elaborate some more? I've seen VBA scripts creating/using sheet metal features

 

[coyotesnack]

Basically, I have a part made up of a number of tabs, with folds in several directions (see image). This was generated by a VBA script based on a given curve and several parameters. The tabs are modeled as individual sketches that have been turned into pads. I'd like to turn this into a sheet metal component so that I can account for the bend geometry and layout a flat pattern. The only reference I have been able to find to using VBA for sheet metal in the documentation is the following:

o Property SheetMetalFactory( ) As CATIAFactory (Read Only)
Returns the sheet metal factory of the part. It allows the creation of sheet metal elements in the part.
Example:
The following example returns in sheetMetalFact the sheet metal factory of the partRoot part from the partDoc part document:
Set partRoot = partDoc.Part
Dim sheetMetalFact As Factory
Set sheetMetalFact = partRoot.SheetMetalFactory

However, I can't seem to find any methods associated with a sheetmetalfactory and when I attempt to record macros for adding bends I get "No resolution found for the object bend1..."

So, that's where I'm stuck. Thanks in advance for any tips.

 

[Azrael]

I just checked the VBA script and how it creates sheet metal features and it looks like you are right, the script calls for powercopies that does the features... maybe an approach you also can use?