Take control of AutoCAD for a more efficient, streamlined workflow AutoCAD Platform Customization is the most comprehensive guide to streamlining and personalizing the AutoCAD platform. The AutoLISP and VBA programming languages open up a myriad of customization options, and this book provides expert guidance toward applying them to AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Plant 3D, and other programs based on the Autodesk AutoCAD platform. Detailed discussions backed by real-world examples and step-by-step tutorials provide user-friendly instruction, and downloadable datasets allow for hands-on learning. Through customization you can increase screen real estate, streamline workflows, and create more accurate drawings by unleashing powerful programming languages that allow the user to command the software how to work, instead of the other way around. AutoCAD customization is commonly performed by system administrators and CAD managers, but senior drafters and savvy users are increasingly taking customization into their own hands. AutoLISP and VBA are two popular and versatile tools that allow for going beyond the boundaries of normal user interface customization options, allowing users to: Enforce drawing and CAD standards, and automate repetitive tasks Customize the workspace, including tool sets, ribbon tabs and panels, and palettes Modify graphical objects, set system variables, integrate with external software, and more Manage blocks, change the interface, create dialog boxes, and communicate with Microsoft Office applications The ideal design environment puts the tools you need right at your fingertips, removes unnecessary steps, and fosters precision through good communication. Customizing, including applying AutoLISP and VBA to AutoCAD, enables all of this and much more. For the designer who needs to work smarter because it's impossible to work any harder, AutoCAD Platform Customization provides the key information, insight, and techniques that will help to increase your productivity with AutoCAD.

Boost productivity and streamline your workflow with expert AutoCAD: VBA programming instruction AutoCAD Platform Customization: VBA is the definitive guide to personalizing AutoCAD and the various programs that run on the AutoCAD platform, including AutoCAD Architecture, Civil 3D, Plant 3D, and more. Written by an Autodesk insider with years of customization and programming experience, this book features detailed discussions backed by real-world examples and easy-to-follow tutorials that illustrate each step in the personalization process. Readers gain expert guidance toward managing layouts and external references, changing the menu and other interface items, creating forms, and communicating with Office applications—all designed to streamline the workspace and improve productivity. An additional resources appendix, downloadable datasets, and customization examples provide extra information and tools that allow users to implement the most advanced customizations. Autodesk's AutoCAD platform is the basis for much of the software that is integral to the modern design and engineering processes. VBA allows users to customize the AutoCAD interface and other features to increase screen real estate, create macros, validate drawing information, and more, leaving less repetition, fewer distractions, and more time for design. AutoCAD Platform Customization: VBA walks readers through the many options available, teaching them to: Create, modify, annotate, and view drawing objects Interact comfortably with the application, open documents, and the user Manage external data, communicate with other applications, and define user forms Debug custom programs and handle errors Customization allows users to keep their favorite tools at their fingertips, and put away the ones they don't need. For AutoCAD users looking to streamline their workflow, AutoCAD Platform Customization: VBA provides expert instruction and insider advice.

Discover how to work with the AutoCAD .NET application program interface (API) and the Visual Basic .NET programming language to create a working plugin.

The first edition of this book was released at the 2001 Tech-Ed conference in Atlanta, Georgia. At that time, the .NET platform was still a beta product, and in many ways, so was this book. This is not to say that the early editions of this text did not have merit—after all, the book was a 2002 Jolt Award finalist and it won the 2003 Referenceware Excellence Award. However, over the years that author Andrew Troelsen spent working with the common language runtime (CLR), he gained a much deeper understanding of the .NET platform and the subtleties of the C# programming language, and he feels that this fifth edition of the book is as close to a “final release” as he’s come yet. This new edition has been comprehensively revised and rewritten to make it accurately reflect the C# 4 language specification for the .NET 4 platform. You’ll find new chapters covering the important concepts of dynamic lookups, named and optional arguments, Parallel LINQ (PLINQ), improved COM interop, and variance for generics. If you’re checking out this book for the first time, do understand that it's targeted at experienced software professionals and/or graduate students of computer science (so don't expect three chapters on iteration or decision constructs!). The mission of this text is to provide you with a rock-solid foundation in the C# programming language and the core aspects of the .NET platform (assemblies, remoting, Windows Forms, Web Forms, ADO.NET, XML web services, etc.). Once you digest the information presented in these 25 chapters, you’ll be in a perfect position to apply this knowledge to your specific programming assignments, and you’ll be well equipped to explore the .NET universe on your own terms.

Take control of AutoCAD for a more efficient, streamlined workflow AutoCAD Platform Customization is the most comprehensive guide to streamlining and personalizing the AutoCAD platform. The AutoLISP and VBA programming languages open up a myriad of customization options, and this book provides expert guidance toward applying them to AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Plant 3D, and other programs based on the Autodesk AutoCAD platform. Detailed discussions backed by real-world examples and step-by-step tutorials provide user-friendly instruction, and downloadable datasets allow for hands-on learning. Through customization you can increase screen real estate, streamline workflows, and create more accurate drawings by unleashing powerful programming languages that allow the user to command the software how to work, instead of the other way around. AutoCAD customization is commonly performed by system administrators and CAD managers, but senior drafters and savvy users are increasingly taking customization into their own hands. AutoLISP and VBA are two popular and versatile tools that allow for going beyond the boundaries of normal user interface customization options, allowing users to: Enforce drawing and CAD standards, and automate repetitive tasks Customize the workspace, including tool sets, ribbon tabs and panels, and palettes Modify graphical objects, set system variables, integrate with external software, and more Manage blocks, change the interface, create dialog boxes, and communicate with Microsoft Office applications The ideal design environment puts the tools you need right at your fingertips, removes unnecessary steps, and fosters precision through good communication. Customizing, including applying AutoLISP and VBA to AutoCAD, enables all of this and much more. For the designer who needs to work smarter because it's impossible to work any harder, AutoCAD Platform Customization provides the key information, insight, and techniques that will help to increase your productivity with AutoCAD.

Filled with practical, step-by-step instructions and clear explanations for the most important and useful tasks. An instruction-based guide with examples written in the C# programming language. VB.NET programmers can also take advantage of these examples by using one of the free conversion websites to convert the examples to VB.NET.Clear, step-by-step instructions and complete code examples illustrate the processes, making it easy to develop your own custom AutoCAD tools.This book is perfect if you are interested in customizing AutoCAD 2014 using the .NET API. You should have a basic familiarity with programming. Prior experience of customizing AutoCAD is helpful, but not required (as is a basic understanding of AutoCAD commands). If you have AutoCAD customization experience with another API, such as Lisp or VBA, you may find the examples in this book helpful when learning the .NET API.You should also have a basic familiarity with Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 (the Express editions are fine).

VBA is the Key to Automating Your Work and Reusability in AutoCAD... ...and Mastering AutoCAD VBA unlocks the secrets to VBA programming, teaching you everything you need to know to write macros, customize your interface, and even develop independent applications that will speed your work and enhance your results. Written specifically for AutoCAD users, this book is filled with detailed examples that often walk you through the manual approaches to tasks, then show you—step by step—the VBA techniques that can get you there faster. Coverage includes: Creating, debugging, and editing code using the Visual Basic Editor Using variables and constants to store information Writing code using AutoCAD object properties, methods, and event procedures Repeating sections of code and designing code to be run conditionally Creating drawings from macros Automating tasks with templates and VBA macros Developing Windows applications to interface with AutoCAD Adding new menu commands to your AutoCAD environment Setting grid and snap spacing from a macro Combining primitive solids using union, intersection, and subtraction Creating solids using extrusion and revolution Performing hidden-line removal and rendering Creating ActiveX controls for exchanging data with other applications Using AutoCAD 2000i's Internet features to upload/download web files Readying drawings for the Internet using the "Publish to Web" wizard Using hyperlinks in drawings that lead to local or Web

AutoCAD is the leading software tool for creating technical and architectural drawings, but it definitely doesn't lead in the "easy to master" category. That's why there's AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies—the perfect way to break a complex topic into bite-size, easy-to-understand pieces. Once you get the hang of using AutoCAD and its slightly less feature-rich cousin, AutoCAD LT, you discover that it offers wonderful advantages. AutoCAD allows you to Create precision to 14 significant digits Re-use portions of your drawings by copying and pasting Draw things full size and print your drawings in any scale Produce drawings that are easier to read when reduced Electronically share and distribute drawings Design in 2D or 3D So obviously, the trick is to speed up that "getting the hang of it" process. That's where AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies comes in especially handy. Ten easy-to-follow minibooks cover every aspect of AutoCAD, including the latest features of AutoCAD 2007, so you can find just what you need to know quickly and easily. You'll get the scoop on AutoCAD basics, such as setting up drawings, finding your way around the interface, and using all the tools Drawing and modifying objects in 2D and annotating your drawings 3D modeling and viewing, working with solids and surfaces, and rendering Understanding how AutoCAD LT differs from AutoCAD and deciding which program you need Advanced drafting skills, including organizing drawings, working with blocks, and using AutoCAD utilities Setting up your drawings for plotting to paper and publishing Sharing your drawings online for collaboration Customizing and programming AutoCAD to make it work the way you want it to In the familiar, friendly For Dummies fashion, AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies gives you plain-English explanations and step-by-step directions. Written by a pair of AutoDesk Authorized Authors, this handy guide will help make your relationship with AutoCAD a happy and productive one.