Web application and AutoCad

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I settle a question at the level of correlation between an Web Application and AutoCad.

More precisely, it is possible to execute AutoCad function from a cartographic Web Application, for example, add in external reference a drawings named XXX, put in a directory YYY, with XXX existent of cartographic application and YYY of a parameters file ?

Thank you in advance for your answers


Christophe


PS : Sorry for my bad english 😉

[Anonymous]

Technically, yes, The web application, running on web server, could automate
AutoCAD, installed on the web server. Pratically, automating a heavy desktop
application, such as AutoCAD, on a server unattentently, is not reliable,
not usable in a production scale. Further more, it is very likely that
running AutoCAD in that way violates Acad license.

wrote in message news:5713408@discussion.autodesk.com...
Hello,

I settle a question at the level of correlation between an Web Application
and AutoCad.

More precisely, it is possible to execute AutoCad function from a
cartographic Web Application, for example, add in external reference a
drawings named XXX, put in a directory YYY, with XXX existent of
cartographic application and YYY of a parameters file ?

Thank you in advance for your answers


Christophe


PS : Sorry for my bad english 😉

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your answer,

I should be more accurate :

I would like that autocad’s users could add dwg files (external references) by using a script sent by a web application (and not trough the menu « insert » and « ext ref »).

Data are cut into stitches. It would be much easer for any user to select them graphically (instead of checking by their names).

They have to select graphically their stitches through a web application, and then a validation order has to be send to autocad to load the stitches chosen into external references.

Thanks for your attention,

[Anonymous]

When saying "web application", it usually means a pplication run on the web
server and it sends HTML marked stream to user's web browser to render the
result as a web page.

In your case, your user actually works with browser to get some information,
and you want to use the information to do something with AutoCAD on the
user's computer locally. Yes, you can automate AutoCAD from the browser,
using browser's client side script, as long as you can get the information
required from the page displayed on the browser. However, there are some
security issues that make the client-side automation a bit complicated. With
latest MS technology, if I need to automate AutoCAD with information
available on a web server, I'd look into .NET smart client application. Or
even build the "smartness" (consume information on a web server) rigth into
AutoCAD with ObjectARX NET API.

wrote in message news:5715820@discussion.autodesk.com...
Thanks for your answer,

I should be more accurate :

I would like that autocad’s users could add dwg files (external references)
by using a script sent by a web application (and not trough the menu «
insert » and « ext ref »).

Data are cut into stitches. It would be much easer for any user to select
them graphically (instead of checking by their names).

They have to select graphically their stitches through a web application,
and then a validation order has to be send to autocad to load the stitches
chosen into external references.

Thanks for your attention,

[Anonymous]

Excuse me for barging in but the use of the hyperlink with a QueryString
would be a common way to approach the expressed objective would it not?
But...is it not correct that AutoCAD can not function as an HTTP client
receiving the response which would for example update the drawing in the
editor?

The fundamental question not being "can AutoCAD be automated" but can the
drawings in the editor be updated dynamically using various Internet
protocols primarily HTTP?




"Norman Yuan" wrote in message
news:5715928@discussion.autodesk.com...
When saying "web application", it usually means a pplication run on the web
server and it sends HTML marked stream to user's web browser to render the
result as a web page.

In your case, your user actually works with browser to get some information,
and you want to use the information to do something with AutoCAD on the
user's computer locally. Yes, you can automate AutoCAD from the browser,
using browser's client side script, as long as you can get the information
required from the page displayed on the browser. However, there are some
security issues that make the client-side automation a bit complicated. With
latest MS technology, if I need to automate AutoCAD with information
available on a web server, I'd look into .NET smart client application. Or
even build the "smartness" (consume information on a web server) rigth into
AutoCAD with ObjectARX NET API.

wrote in message news:5715820@discussion.autodesk.com...
Thanks for your answer,

I should be more accurate :

I would like that autocad's users could add dwg files (external references)
by using a script sent by a web application (and not trough the menu «
insert » and « ext ref »).

Data are cut into stitches. It would be much easer for any user to select
them graphically (instead of checking by their names).

They have to select graphically their stitches through a web application,
and then a validation order has to be send to autocad to load the stitches
chosen into external references.

Thanks for your attention,

[Anonymous]

I've developed a few data distribution apps that
serve tiled DWG data to web clients.

The user selects a rectangle on an image shown
in their web browser; a client side script sends
the selected coordinates to the HTTP server, which
passes them to an AutoCAD plugin runing inside
AutoCAD on the same system.

The plug-in calculates which tiles lie on or inside
the rectangle, and constructs a DWG file with the
requested tiles inserted.

So what you want to do is possible, and there's
quite a bit of latitude in how it is done. For me
a web client with client-side scripting, along with
a COM server running in AutoCAD on the server,
which the HTTP server can talk to, was the most
effective way.

You can do pretty much anything you want with
AutoCAD, by building a plug-in that can act as a
COM server. With that, any other component on
the same system that is COM-enabled, can talk
to your AutoCAD based plug-in, and tell it what
to do.

--
http://www.caddzone.com

AcadXTabs: MDI Document Tabs for AutoCAD 2008
Supporting AutoCAD 2000 through 2008
http://www.acadxtabs.com

wrote in message news:5715820@discussion.autodesk.com...
Thanks for your answer,

I should be more accurate :

I would like that autocad’s users could add dwg files (external references) by using a script sent by a web application (and not trough the menu « insert » and « ext ref »).

Data are cut into stitches. It would be much easer for any user to select them graphically (instead of checking by their names).

They have to select graphically their stitches through a web application, and then a validation order has to be send to autocad to load the stitches chosen into external references.

Thanks for your attention,

[Anonymous]

"clintonG" wrote

>> Excuse me for barging in but the use of the
>> hyperlink with a QueryString would be a common
>> way to approach the expressed objective would it not?

A query string is just a way to pass parameters through
HTTP. If a server uses HTTP, then query strings are
generally how they get parameters.

>> But...is it not correct that AutoCAD can not
>> function as an HTTP client receiving the response
>> which would for example update the drawing in the
>> editor?

Huh? AutoCAD plug-ins can be HTTP clients, but that
isn't necessary here, as there is no role for an AutoCAD
based client. The 'client' in this case, is at the other
end of the wire. AutoCAD needs to work with the server
to provide the client with what it asks for.

If AutoCAD is running on the same system as the HTTP
server, that server can talk to AutoCAD via a number of
means, where the specific one that's used is merely an
implementation detail.

AutoCAD itself, or a plugin that runs inside it, does not
need to be an HTTP client or HTTP server. Generally, an
AutoCAD plugin component that exposes a COM sever
(which an HTTP server can connect to), is how it would
be done.

--
http://www.caddzone.com

AcadXTabs: MDI Document Tabs for AutoCAD 2008
Supporting AutoCAD 2000 through 2008
http://www.acadxtabs.com


The fundamental question not being "can AutoCAD be automated" but can the
drawings in the editor be updated dynamically using various Internet
protocols primarily HTTP?




"Norman Yuan" wrote in message
news:5715928@discussion.autodesk.com...
When saying "web application", it usually means a pplication run on the web
server and it sends HTML marked stream to user's web browser to render the
result as a web page.

In your case, your user actually works with browser to get some information,
and you want to use the information to do something with AutoCAD on the
user's computer locally. Yes, you can automate AutoCAD from the browser,
using browser's client side script, as long as you can get the information
required from the page displayed on the browser. However, there are some
security issues that make the client-side automation a bit complicated. With
latest MS technology, if I need to automate AutoCAD with information
available on a web server, I'd look into .NET smart client application. Or
even build the "smartness" (consume information on a web server) rigth into
AutoCAD with ObjectARX NET API.

wrote in message news:5715820@discussion.autodesk.com...
Thanks for your answer,

I should be more accurate :

I would like that autocad's users could add dwg files (external references)
by using a script sent by a web application (and not trough the menu «
insert » and « ext ref »).

Data are cut into stitches. It would be much easer for any user to select
them graphically (instead of checking by their names).

They have to select graphically their stitches through a web application,
and then a validation order has to be send to autocad to load the stitches
chosen into external references.

Thanks for your attention,

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Thanks for your positive explanations !
So far so good, then I can go deeper on my problem.
Is it possible to have a dynamic link between AutoCad to the web application in that specific point :
on the web application, i would like to see (with cross in a check box) which tiles are actually loaded on the opening AutoCad file so the user can easily check (to load and unload external reference) the tiles he needs

Thanks for your help

[Anonymous]

You need to decide where AutoCAD runs, on the web server side, or on client
(CAD user side) before thinking if what you want to do is doable.

Tony's solution runs Acad on the HTTP server, while what you want seems that
user runs Acad on his computer (client side) and want to use information get
back from a web application (running on web server, sending HTTP stream back
to browser or other HTTP client application).

Depending how the web app sends the response back client (web page or web
services), you can either parsing the HTML tagged web page to grab the
information you need, or consume the web services like using a DLL. All this
can be done and run inside Acad (as Acad add-in). Although you can do these
with VBA, using .NET API make it a lot easier. For the former, you could
build a form with web browser control. once the page is downloaded, you
parse the html document to get needed information, then use the information
to manage AutoCAD doing what you want to. If the web app can be designed as
Web services, then, you would get exactly what information you want by
consume the web services.

Loading or unloading Xref itself according to some conditions would be
easiest thing in the whole process. So, you need to decide the whole
structure of the process first: running Acad on which side, how the needed
information is supplied, and then how to get the information, and finally,
use the information to control AutoCAD (either on the server or on the
client side. if on server side, license could be prohibitive issue), which
is the easiest part.


wrote in message news:5718098@discussion.autodesk.com...
Hello,

Thanks for your positive explanations !
So far so good, then I can go deeper on my problem.
Is it possible to have a dynamic link between AutoCad to the web application
in that specific point :
on the web application, i would like to see (with cross in a check box)
which tiles are actually loaded on the opening AutoCad file so the user can
easily check (to load and unload external reference) the tiles he needs

Thanks for your help

[Anonymous]

Aren't you forgetting the HTTP Response Tony? Sure the QueryString passes
parameters but it can only do so from a client which in this case would have
to be AutoCAD agreeing of course that the link was clicked within that
application which must support an HTTP Handler. I got the point about the
COM server though.

I'm an experienced web developer but tried going back to my old "true love"
back in the day with ADT2004 which is the last release I've had hands on.
Without getting too detailed when I learned what a piece of dog sh!t it was
and the way the Autodesk developers crippled their HTTP handlers with the
sickest most evil implementation of a hyperlink I've ever observed I was
dejected and have yet to recover.

Still, I want to keep an eye on any possibilities of development within the
AEC markets as I'm still not fully cured of the virus from San Rafeal and
once going back to work as an architect may find me soon back in so deep
I'll never get out again. So, at the moment I'm looking back in as an
outsider so to speak.

Is there anyway to really delve into what I could do with AutoCAD or Revit
for example as a .NET Developer with a focus on integration with web forms
without paying to buy into their developer program?

<%= Clinton

..


"Tony Tanzillo" wrote in message
news:5717883@discussion.autodesk.com...
"clintonG" wrote

>> Excuse me for barging in but the use of the
>> hyperlink with a QueryString would be a common
>> way to approach the expressed objective would it not?

A query string is just a way to pass parameters through
HTTP. If a server uses HTTP, then query strings are
generally how they get parameters.

>> But...is it not correct that AutoCAD can not
>> function as an HTTP client receiving the response
>> which would for example update the drawing in the
>> editor?

Huh? AutoCAD plug-ins can be HTTP clients, but that
isn't necessary here, as there is no role for an AutoCAD
based client. The 'client' in this case, is at the other
end of the wire. AutoCAD needs to work with the server
to provide the client with what it asks for.

If AutoCAD is running on the same system as the HTTP
server, that server can talk to AutoCAD via a number of
means, where the specific one that's used is merely an
implementation detail.

AutoCAD itself, or a plugin that runs inside it, does not
need to be an HTTP client or HTTP server. Generally, an
AutoCAD plugin component that exposes a COM sever
(which an HTTP server can connect to), is how it would
be done.

--
http://www.caddzone.com

AcadXTabs: MDI Document Tabs for AutoCAD 2008
Supporting AutoCAD 2000 through 2008
http://www.acadxtabs.com


The fundamental question not being "can AutoCAD be automated" but can the
drawings in the editor be updated dynamically using various Internet
protocols primarily HTTP?




"Norman Yuan" wrote in message
news:5715928@discussion.autodesk.com...
When saying "web application", it usually means a pplication run on the web
server and it sends HTML marked stream to user's web browser to render the
result as a web page.

In your case, your user actually works with browser to get some information,
and you want to use the information to do something with AutoCAD on the
user's computer locally. Yes, you can automate AutoCAD from the browser,
using browser's client side script, as long as you can get the information
required from the page displayed on the browser. However, there are some
security issues that make the client-side automation a bit complicated. With
latest MS technology, if I need to automate AutoCAD with information
available on a web server, I'd look into .NET smart client application. Or
even build the "smartness" (consume information on a web server) rigth into
AutoCAD with ObjectARX NET API.

wrote in message news:5715820@discussion.autodesk.com...
Thanks for your answer,

I should be more accurate :

I would like that autocad's users could add dwg files (external references)
by using a script sent by a web application (and not trough the menu «
insert » and « ext ref »).

Data are cut into stitches. It would be much easer for any user to select
them graphically (instead of checking by their names).

They have to select graphically their stitches through a web application,
and then a validation order has to be send to autocad to load the stitches
chosen into external references.

Thanks for your attention,

[Anonymous]

"clintonG" wrote

>> Aren't you forgetting the HTTP Response Tony?

This makes it fairly obvious that most of what I
said went right over your head, so I'm not going
to waste time on this.


--
http://www.caddzone.com

AcadXTabs: MDI Document Tabs for AutoCAD 2008
Supporting AutoCAD 2000 through 2008
http://www.acadxtabs.com

[Anonymous]

Hi,

We are developing custom applications using AutoCAD API. We have a requirement for which we need to develop a Web Application running on a web server and ACAD running on a different server. From the Web Application we send parameters and using the Object ARX dll the parameters are converted to build a drawing.

Currently I am facing a licencing issue when running on Web Application. Please let me know if I need to obtain any specific licence for using AutoCAD 2009 on a environment that I mentioned.

Thanks,
Subbu