README.md

matlab-sw

Exporting geometries from MATLAB to SOLIDWORKS

loft

Exports a series of cross sections at z coordinates to a solidworks part constructed using lofts.

To use:

1. open loft.m
2. Create an array of the z coordinates of your cross sections - line 12
3. Import your cross sections. These must be as polyshapes - see the MATLAB documentation. For this, you can use import_aerofoil.m to import aerofoils from airfoiltools.com
4. For variable cross sections, you can define the cross section to use by modifying the choose_xc function
5. Define your centre of transformation
6. Transformations of the cross section (enlargements and rotations) occur on line 57 - modify the parameters to those desired.
7. Set all file directories to those desired
8. Run the program
9. Open SOLIDWORKS, and create a new part
10. Go to Tools --> Macros --> New and create a new macro
11. Replace the code in the new macro with the code in the macro.txt file
12. Save and run the macro

Note: you cannot directly export a macro from MATLAB to SOLIDWORKS. You must create a new macro in SOLIDWORKS and copy and paste the code created by this program.

Known Bugs

Some sections may not create a loft in between due to an unknown error, these can be created manually after the rest of the part has been created. The guide curves will still be present.