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DriveWorks Pro 21
Auto Balloon View

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Auto Balloon View

This Generation Task will Auto Balloon a Drawing View.

For this task some of the properties depend on the Drawing that you wish to Auto Balloon containing a BOM (Bill Of Materials) or certain Balloon styles.

Properties

Property NameDescription
Edit Balloon OptionsTrue (default) to replace existing balloons, False to re-sequence.
Edit BalloonsTRUE to use Edit Balloon Options when creating the Auto Balloons.
Ignore MultipleTRUE (default) to create a Balloon for only one Instance of an Item, FALSE for multiple.
Insert Magnetic LineTRUE (default) to insert magnetic lines with Balloons.
Item Number IncrementSets the Item Number increment.
Item Number StartSets the starting number.
Item OrderSets the Item ordering.
  • 1 (default) - Do not change numbers
  • 2 - Follow assembly order
  • 4 - Order sequentially
SOLIDWORKS could add further enumerators that affect the Item order.

For a complete, current list of all enumerators please go to:

SOLIDWORKS Web Help, Select API Help and search for swBalloonItemNumbersOrder_e Enumeration.

Layer NameSets the name of the Layer on which to create Balloons (must be a valid Layer name).
LayoutSets the style of the layout of the Balloons.
  • 1 - In a box around the Drawing View
  • 2 - In a circle around the Drawing View
  • 3 - Along the top edge of the Drawing View
  • 4 - Along the bottom edge of the Drawing View
  • 5 - Along the right edge of the Drawing View
  • 6 - Along the left edge of the Drawing View
SOLIDWORKS could add further enumerators that affect Layout options.

For a complete, current list of all enumerators please go to:

SOLIDWORKS Web Help, Select API Help and search for swBalloonLayoutType_e Enumeration.

Leader Attached To FacesTRUE to attach Balloons to Faces (default is FALSE).
Reverse DirectionTRUE to reverse the Item ordering (default is FALSE).
SizeSets the size of the Balloons (0 to 5).
  • 0 - Tightest
  • 1 - One character
  • 2 - Two characters
  • 3 - Three characters
  • 4 - Four characters
  • 5 - Five characters
StyleSets the style of the Balloons.
  • 1 - Circle
  • 2 - Triangle
  • 3 - Hexagon
  • 4 - Box
  • 5 - Diamond

Please note the most common Balloon style enumerators are listed.

For a complete, current list of all enumerators please go to:

SOLIDWORKS Web Help, Select API Help and search for swBalloonStyle_e Enumeration.

Upper TextSets the Upper Text of the Balloon.
Upper Text ContentSets the style of the Upper Text Content.

Please note an enumerator value is required for the Balloon text content.

For a complete, current list of all enumerators please go to:

SOLIDWORKS Web Help, Select API Help and search for swBalloonTextContent_e Enumeration.

(Name)The unique name for this task.
View NameThe name of the View to Auto Balloon.

Example

When this task is added the properties are both static. To be able to build rules on a static properties see How To: Change A Static Property To A Dynamic Property.

Property NameExample RuleExample ResultMeaning
Edit Balloon OptionsTRUETRUETRUE will replace any existing Balloons. FALSE would resquence any existing Balloons.
Edit BalloonsTRUETRUETRUE will use the Edit Balloon Options Property result when creating the Auto Balloons either Replacing or Resquencing existing Balloons.
Ignore MultipleTRUETRUETRUE will create a Balloon for only one Instance of an item.
Insert Magnetic LineTRUETRUETRUE will insert Magnetic Lines when the inserting the Balloons.
Item Number Increment"1"1This will increment the values in the Balloons by 1.
Item Number Start"1"1This is the number that the Balloon values will start at.
Item Order"2"2This will put the Balloons into Assembly order. This means that the first Part that was added to an Assembly would be the first Balloon value. In this example that would be 1.
Layer Name"BalloonLayer"BalloonLayerThis is the lLayer that the Balloons will be created on. This must be a valid Layer name. If no Layers have been created, leaving it blank will create the Balloons on the default FORMAT Layer.
Layout"3"3This will align the Balloons to the top of the Drawing. See the tables above for different alignment types.
Leader Attached To FacesTRUETRUETRUE will attached the Leader Lines from the Balloon to the Faces of the Part.
Reverse DirectionFALSEFALSEFALSE will keep the ordering the same. TRUE would reverse this.
Size"2"2This will use the two character size for the Balloons.
Style"3"3This will use hexagon Balloons when Auto Ballooning.
Upper Text"SW-Long Date"SW-Long DateThis is what to use for the Upper Text. In this example this is a name of a Custom Property.
Upper Text ContentCustomPropertiesCustomPropertiesWhen using Balloons with both Upper and Lower sections such as a SplitCircle Balloon this will set the Upper property to be a Custom Property. When using a dynamic rule "3".
View Name"Drawing View1"Drawing View1The Name of the Drawing View that you want to Auto Balloon.

Example

When this task is added the properties are both static. To be able to build rules on a static properties see How To: Change A Static Property To A Dynamic Property.

Property NameExample RuleExample ResultMeaning
Edit Balloon OptionsTRUETRUETRUE will replace any existing Balloons. FALSE would resquence any existing Balloons.
Edit BalloonsTRUETRUETRUE will use the Edit Balloon Options Property result when creating the Auto Balloons either Replacing or Resquencing existing Balloons.
Ignore MultipleTRUETRUETRUE will create a Balloon for only one Instance of an item.
Insert Magnetic LineTRUETRUETRUE will insert Magnetic Lines when the inserting the Balloons.
Item Number Increment"1"1This will increment the values in the Balloons by 1.
Item Number Start"1"1This is the number that the Balloon values will start at.
Item Order"2"2This will put the Balloons into Assembly order. This means that the first Part that was added to an Assembly would be the first Balloon value. In this example that would be 1.
Layer Name"BalloonLayer"BalloonLayerThis is the lLayer that the Balloons will be created on. This must be a valid Layer name. If no Layers have been created, leaving it blank will create the Balloons on the default FORMAT Layer.
Layout"3"3This will align the Balloons to the top of the Drawing. See the tables above for different alignment types.
Leader Attached To FacesTRUETRUETRUE will attached the Leader Lines from the Balloon to the Faces of the Part.
Reverse DirectionFALSEFALSEFALSE will keep the ordering the same. TRUE would reverse this.
Size"2"2This will use the two character size for the Balloons.
Style"3"3This will use hexagon Balloons when Auto Ballooning.
Upper Text"SW-Long Date"SW-Long DateThis is what to use for the Upper Text. In this example this is a name of a Custom Property.
Upper Text ContentCustomPropertiesCustomPropertiesWhen using Balloons with both Upper and Lower sections such as a SplitCircle Balloon this will set the Upper property to be a Custom Property. When using a dynamic rule "3".
View Name"Drawing View1"Drawing View1The Name of the Drawing View that you want to Auto Balloon.

Generation Sequence

This Task can be added to the following Generation Sequence(s):

  • Pre Drive (will be run before the Main Drive Sequence)
  • Post Drive (will be run after the Main Drive Sequence)

DriveWorks Tech Tips Portal

Drawing Control Generation Tasks

Use the Auto Arrange Dimensions, Auto Balloon View and Rescale and Position View generation tasks to control a driven drawing.

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