AutoCAD Architecture

AutoCAD® Architecture software is a flexible platform for developing specialized building industry applications as well as interfacing with the model in upstream and downstream applications. With AutoCAD® Architecture as the platform, you can take advantage of industry-standard tools and technologies when developing applications.

Learn more about AutoCAD® Architecture features at the AutoCAD Architecture product center.

Programming Tools

Object Modeling Framework
The Object Modeling Framework (OMF) is an SDK extending ObjectARX® and is designed to work both as a development platform built on ObjectARX® and as a toolkit to provide access to the custom architectural objects in AutoCAD® Architecture. With the OMF (available only to OMF-licensed members of the Autodesk Developer Network (ADN)), you will have the same tools the AutoCAD® Architecture programmers use to speed application development. You will also have access to the AutoCAD® Architecture objects. To license OMF, first join ADN at http://www.autodesk.com/joinadn.

When developing object oriented C++ applications for AutoCAD® Architecture, you'll need to work with both the AutoCAD ObjectARX® SDK and the Object Modeling Framework (OMF) for AutoCAD® Architecture. Designed for use by professional programmers to develop the fastest, most efficient, and most compact applications for AutoCAD®, ObjectARX® and the OMF provide the highest performance applications for AutoCAD® Architecture, and an ideal development environment.

.NET

Since 2007, AutoCAD® Architecture's .NET interface has been expanded with many classes previously only supported through OMF and C++ now accessible to all .NET supporting languages. Now VB and C# developers can access most of the power of OMF. Customize and extend AutoCAD® Architecture with direct access to most of AutoCAD® Architecture database structures using any .NET supporting language. Get the power of OMF with the ease of use of Microsoft Visual Basic® (VB). Learn more about AutoCAD® Architecture .NET implementation upon installation in the help file with samples in the VB.NET and CS.NET folders in the AutoCAD® Architecture program directory.

ActiveX

Using the ActiveX® (COM Automation) interface in AutoCAD® Architecture software, you can build applications with a variety of programming technologies and environments including Microsoft® Visual C++®, Visual Basic® (VB), Delphi, and Java. AutoCAD Architecture extends the AutoCAD® ActiveX interface to provide direct access to most of its custom objects.

Being based on AutoCAD®, AutoCAD® Architecture also includes Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) (available through download since 2010 release).

Source Code Samples

Because AutoCAD® Architecture is based on AutoCAD®, you can take advantage of all the AutoCAD® source code samples for ActiveX® (COM Automation), VB/VBA and .NET that are included with the installation of AutoCAD® Architecture software in the Samples directory.

Along with the AutoCAD-focused ObjectARX® (C++) code samples that are part of the ObjectAR® Software Developers Kit, you will also find AutoCAD® Architecture–specific source code samples in the OMF.

Additional training materials are available as the archived AutoCAD® Architecture .NET API webcast training materials from API Training Course Schedule.

Documentation

The extensive application development documentation built into the AutoCAD® Architecture help system includes the following topics:

Customization Guide
ActiveX (COM Automation) and VBA
AutoCAD Architecture ActiveX
AutoCAD Architecture .NET

The ObjectARX Developers Guide and Reference Manual are provided as Windows help files in the ObjectARX Software Developer Kit. Included in the OMF are a developer guide, class reference file, and white papers written by the AutoCAD® Architecture to help in your application development.

Support

Public discussion groups provide an open forum for sharing knowledge and receiving support. Join one of the AutoCAD Architecture Groups or the AutoCAD Architecture Customization Discussion Group. You may also find useful software development information in the following AutoCAD development discussion groups:

If you would like personalized API support and consulting at your facility, send us an email. If you need more professional support, consider joining the Autodesk Developer Network.

Training

Check to see if there are any AutoCAD® Architecture instructor-led training classes currently scheduled. To register for a scheduled instructor-led training class or to request that a new class be scheduled, send us an email.

If you would like personalized API training at your facility, send us an email.