Working with VSTA Macros

You can edit and debug macros in Visual Studio.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:

If you want to edit VSTA macro projects, you need to have already installed (and run at least once) one of the following supported editions of Visual Studio: Visual Studio 2012, 2013, 2015 or 2017 (Pro or Community Edition).

If you want to install VSTA later, run the following program: VSTA\vsta_setup.exe, so long as you already installed a compatible editor if you want to both edit and run macros.

If you install a new version of Visual Studio, you will need to uninstall then reinstall the VSTA runtime software so that the new version of Visual studio is taken into account.

  • To run VSTA macros, the following software must be installed:
    • .NET 4.6.2

      If .NET 4.6.2 is not installed, the installer will display the following error message:

      .NET 4.6.2 is required to install VSTA 2017

      and you will not be able to continue the native app installation until you uncheck the I want to install Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications 2017 option

    • VSTA 2017 (installed by the DS Installer if you checked the appropriate option)
    • Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2015 (x86 and x64) (installed by the DS Installer)
    • Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2012 Update 4 (x86 and x64) (if Visual Studio 2012 is installed)
    • Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2013 (x86 and x64) (if Visual Studio 2013 is installed)
    • Visual C++ Redistributable Packages for Visual Studio 2017 (x86 and x64) ( if Visual Studio 2017 is installed).
  • To edit and record VSTA macros, Visual Studio 2012, 2013, 2015 or 2017 (Pro or Community Edition) must be installed.
See Also
Accessing Visual Studio
Working with VSTA Projects

Create, Edit and Delete Macros in a VSTA Project

You can create, edit and delete macros in a VSTA project.

  1. With a VSTA project opened and active, open Visual Studio.
  2. Create a public static void function similar to the CATMain included in the base template.

    The macro name must begin with the string "Macro". Any attempt to assign a different name will produce an error.

    The macro is created, you can now edit or delete it in Visual Studio.

Solve Buildtime and Runtime Errors

This task explains how to solve build-time and runtime errors in Visual Studio.

  1. With a VSTA macro project opened and active, open Visual Studio.
  2. In the Solution Explorer, right click the project and select Build to build the project.
    Errors, including buildtime errors, are displayed in the error list, if any.
  3. You may now correct the errors.
  4. If there is a runtime error, do either of the following:
    • Uncomment the CATMain function.
    • Recreate the CATMAain function: 

      public static void CATMain()
{
// Debug entry point, not visible from the host
CATIA.SystemService.PrintToStdout("Hello, World! C#");
}

  5. Put the code to debug, or a function leading to it, into the CATMain function.

    CATMain is the entry point for a Visual Studio debug session.

  6. Edit the macro and add a breakpoint (F9) on the faulty source line.
  7. Build the project and start the macro:
    1. In the Solution Explorer, right click the project and select Set as StartUp Project.
    2. Right click the project and select Debug > Start New Instance.
  8. You may now correct the errors.