.NET module compatible since version 2004

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, I am Matias and in my job we have a custom AutoCAD module developed with LISP. The developer left the company and I'm the responsible to maintain this module. LISP is giving me daily headaches, so I I'm considering start from scratch with a .NET Application. The problem I have is that the app should be compatible with all AutoCAD versions possible, at least starting from the AutoCAD 2004. I have a little mess in my head with all sites I'm researching, so I would like some help with this. Do I need to develop the app with ObjectARX? Or just reference the autocad dll's installed on the client machine? I'm a little confused because I only can download ObjectARX for AutoCAD 2010,2011 and 2012, and I need to support more versions.

I will appreciate if someone could give me a hand.

Thanks,

Matias

[Marat.Mirgaleev]

Hi Matias,

   I would suggest to reconsider your plans of total migration from LISP just because it may take a lot of time. There is another reason for staying in LISP - it gives you more compatibility than ObjectARX and even than .NET. But you still may need several versions of your code for different versions of AutoCAD (depending on what the code does).

   Also, please, keep in mind that only four latest versions of AutoCAD are officially supported, including the API's support via Autodesk Developer Network.

   The most recent API is AutoCAD .NET. If you prefer C++, C# or VB.NET, you may migrate your application step by step, letting .NET and LISP parts work together.

   You also may think about supporting AutoCAD for Mac - you can use ObjectARX and LISP there.

   Happy holidays!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that Marat.

The main problem is that no one in my office have knowledge about LISP ,and may be the learning time of the language and to know what the code do, could be larger.
Regardless that with .NET I can develop a more user friendly and maintainable app.
I'm still on the R&D stage so I am not prepared to give a time estimate yet, but I think that it is not so big.

On tuesday i will back to work and analize deeper the situation.
Merry Christmas!
Matias

[Alexander.Rivilis]

Matias!

1. All version of AutoCAD before 2005 was not supported .NET programming

2. Old versions of ObjectARX SDK can be found here: http://goo.gl/XtJ2x

3. .NET programming discussed here: http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/NET/bd-p/152