Developer Center

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What versions of ObjectARX are available?

You can download ObjectARX® software for AutoCAD® 2010, AutoCAD® 2009, AutoCAD® 2008, and AutoCAD® 2007 software products. The 32-bit and 64-bit versions of ObjectARX for AutoCAD 2010 are part of a single SDK.

2. How do I get the ObjectARX software development kit (SDK)?

The complete ObjectARX SDK and license agreement are available for download at no charge. The SDK is not available on a CD.

3. What is the difference between RealDWG and ObjectARX for AutoCAD 2010?

The RealDWG™ application is a subset of ObjectARX and contains the APIs for reading and writing DWG and DXF files. RealDWG does not contain support for viewing and access to the AutoCAD user interface.

ObjectARX applications always require AutoCAD as their host application. RealDWG does not require the presence of AutoCAD software. RealDWG can be used to create independent host applications. ObjectARX cannot.

4. What documentation is available for developing applications in ObjectARX?

The following publications are included with the ObjectARX SDK:

  • Managed Class Reference
  • ObjectARX Developer’s Guide
  • ObjectARX Reference
  • Application Interoperability Guidelines
  • ObjectARX Migration Guide
  • ObjectARX 64-bit Migration Guide
  • What's New in ObjectARX

Find other valuable developer reference materials through the Autodesk Developer Network (ADN).

5. Is developer support or training available for ObjectARX?

Yes. Training for ObjectARX, as well as for many other AutoCAD APIs, is available by contacting ADN. Developer support agreements are also available through the ADN. If you are already familiar with developing C++ applications, the ObjectARX SDK includes a set of tutorial exercises to guide you through development of an ObjectARX application.

6. Do I have to rebuild my AutoCAD 2009, AutoCAD 2008, or AutoCAD 2007 application to work on AutoCAD 2010?

AutoCAD 2010 is not binary compatible with AutoCAD 2009. Applications developed for AutoCAD 2009 and earlier must be recompiled with the current ObjectARX libraries to be compatible with AutoCAD 2010. Applications built with ObjectARX for AutoCAD 2010 will not work on AutoCAD 2009 or earlier.