How to program plug-ins with dynamic, continual effects?

[Anonymous]

I've got a few months' experience tinkering with .NET programming for AutoCAD under my belt, and I feel like I have a decent understanding of how to do various basic one-time operations in the drawing space...

But now I find myself wanting to create things that are dynamic and self-updating...say, for example, a "custom" version of a GEOMCONSTRAINT operation or something that draws custom entities based on the properties of a Civil 3D object and then erases and redraws these entities whenever the Civil 3D objects are changed.

I'm kind of at a loss as to where I should start...I know that for performing one-time operations, transactions are the "vehicles" that get the job done...what is the "vehicle" I'm looking for here? (I'm hoping that what I'm describing is indeed possible?)

Thanks!

[BlackBox_ · Accepted solution]

Methinks you're after event handlers... The ability to 'hook' an ObjectModified event, evaluate what has been modified, and if the target Object type, or instance (your AECC* Object), then perform additional action(s) on another Object (your custom Object).

There are some specific rules to follow, generally speaking, but linking one Object to one degree or another, is not necessarily uncommon... I will say though, a great deal more information is needed to help with your specific topic.

Cheers

[Anonymous]

Aha...I thought it might have to do with that...going back and reading the developer's guide confirms this.

Guess I should have looked a little harder.

Thanks!

[BlackBox_]

No worries; we all start somewhere.

Cheers