AutoCAD

AutoCAD® software provides a flexible development platform for specialized design and drafting applications. Its open architecture enables you to customize AutoCAD to suit your unique purposes. Examples of customizations include Autodesk’s industry-specific design software and thousands of add-on applications from members of the Autodesk® Developer Network.

Programming Tools
Samples and Documentation
Support

Programming Tools

ObjectARX
Use the ObjectARX® programming environment to customize and extend AutoCAD and AutoCAD-based products with direct access to AutoCAD database structures, the graphics system, and native command definition. ObjectARX provides object-oriented C++, C#, and VB .NET application programming interfaces for developers to use, customize, and extend AutoCAD software and AutoCAD-based products like AutoCAD® Architecture, AutoCAD® Mechanical, and AutoCAD® Land Desktop software.

ObjectARX Labs

ObjectARX 2010 Training (zip - 2398Kb)

.NET

Use any .NET supporting language to customize and extend AutoCAD and AutoCAD-based products with direct access to AutoCAD database structures, native command definition, and more. Get the power of ObjectARX with the ease of learning and use of Microsoft® Visual Basic® (VB). Learn how to use AutoCAD's .NET interface in the "managed wrapper classes" chapter and Managed Reference Guide in the ObjectARX for AutoCAD 2010 help files.

The following resources will help you get started with .NET:

DevTV: Introduction to AutoCAD .NET Programming
A self-paced video tutorial demonstrating how to get started developing with AutoCAD .NET.
View Online | Download
AutoCAD .NET Labs
AutoCAD 2010 .Net Training.zip (zip - 706Kb)
AutoCAD .NET Wizards NEW!
AutoCAD 2010 .Net Wizards.zip (zip - 477Kb)

ActiveX (COM Automation)

Using the ActiveX® (COM Automation) interface in AutoCAD software, you can build applications with a variety of programming technologies, including Microsoft® Visual C++®, Microsoft® Visual Basic® for Applications (VBA), and Microsoft® Visual Basic® (VB).

Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications
The combination of the powerful ActiveX® Automation object model in AutoCAD and Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) presents a compelling framework for customizing AutoCAD.

Visual LISP
Customize AutoCAD as well as its runtime engine with the complete Visual LISP® development environment.

Samples and Documentation

The AutoCAD help file includes extensive information about the AutoCAD software programming interfaces as well as several application samples. Documentation and embedded samples are available for most programming interfaces, in the following AutoCAD directories:

For VB and VBA source code samples, go to \AutoCAD 2010\Sample\VBA.
For CAO source code samples for VBA and Visual LISP, go to \AutoCAD 2010\Sample\Database Connectivity.
For Visual LISP source code samples, go to \AutoCAD 2010\Support.

For ObjectARX and .NET samples and documentation, see:

Samples and Documentation from the ObjectARX for AutoCAD SDK
The online AutoCAD .NET Developers Guide NEW!

You may also find the ObjectARX and Managed Class (.NET) Class Map useful when learning AutoCAD's ObjectARX and .NET APIs.

	ObjectARX C++ Classes (dwf - 40Kb)
	ObjectARX Managed Classes (dwf - 37Kb)

AutoCAD User Interface Managed API Reference Guide 2010 (exe - 448Kb)

This supplement to the ObjectARX Managed Class Reference Guide documents the APIs for the AutoCAD Ribbon Bar, Application Menu, Task Dialogs, and associated elements.

Support

Blogs and public discussion groups provide open forums for sharing knowledge and receiving support.

AutoCAD Customization Blog

Through the Interface

Customization Discussion Groups

Autodesk Developer Network

Membership in the Autodesk Developer Network gives you access to the AutoCAD developer knowledge base—including answers to frequently asked development questions and lots of sample code—as well as direct professional support from Autodesk.