topic Dock Form inside AutoCAD in .NET Forum

Dock Form inside AutoCAD

mcoH3VZV — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 21:22:25 GMT

Hi,

I have made a windows form that automates large portions of AutoCAD processes. Is there any way to dock this form inside AutoCAD , like a tool pallette? Or do I need to start from scratch with a custom toolbar? Currently I am typing in a command, which opens the form. It is then loose and often gets forgotten underneath the other AutoCAD windows once AutoCAD comes into focus, etc.

Thank you,

Re: Dock Form inside AutoCAD

norman.yuan — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 22:03:11 GMT

You probably need to understand when to show the Form/UI as Modal, or Modeless Form/Window. Also, do not use Win Form's built-in Form.Show()/ShowDialog() to show form in AutoCAD. Instead, use:

Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices.Application.ShowModal[Modeless]Dialog[Window]()

For docking UI, you can look at Autodesk.AutoCAD.Windows.PaletteSet.

In general, for Modeless form/window, or PaletteSet, it usually should be declared as static/Shared in class level, so that only singleton of the UI is created.

Re: Dock Form inside AutoCAD

_gile — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 05:12:02 GMT

Hi,

You'll find a minimalist example about creating a PaletteSet here.