software to begin create features

[Anonymous]

hi everyone

i'm working with autocad for 1.5 years. new transportation engineer.

it seems that i would like to add some features of my own into autocad, just to make my life better, and spend less hours of drawings.

is visual basic is the software i need? cuz people told me to use python instead of. i would like to hear from u about these both softwares.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> add some features of my own into autocadv

Can you please describe what is "features" for you and how should they interact with CAD geometry.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

making new commands like ARRAYPATH but in some shapes, or offseting my CL with other linetypes... anyway whats the different between python and VB with autocad?

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> making new commands like ARRAYPATH

You can develop code that executes like commands and create or modify geometry inside AutoCAD.

>> or offseting my CL with other linetypes

Sorry to not understand that.

>> whats the different between python and VB with autocad?

Python and VB are languages describing the syntax of coding.

The more important question is which API you try to use in AutoCAD. As we are here in the forum about Visual Basic the first question is if you are referring to VBA or VB.NET.

Both can add and modify objects inside AutoCAD drawings.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

what i'm trying to say that i want to make some new commands, and even applications for autocad.

i'm just confused about which software should i study for it. VBA / VB.net / python.

again, i'm asking what's the difference between VB and python when it comes to autocad.

also, you wrote: 

"the first question is if you are referring to VBA or VB.NET. Both can add and modify objects inside AutoCAD drawings."

and i ask - what's also the difference between both, through autocad. what is the "speciallity" of each when it comes to autocad.

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> what's also the difference between both, through autocad

VBA runs in a type of interpreted mode.

VB.NET creates a managed application DLL which can be loaded into AutoCAD, it's compiled and so much faster.

VBA workes based on ActiveX/COM and so does not have all the options for real deep development into AutoCAD, with VB.NET you have a much bigger API.

Using Python outside of AutoCAD means you have the same ActiveX/COM API available, but as it runs outside the memory space of AutoCAD it's not that fast. You can also use Python with the managed interface as discussed >>>here<<< (seems tricky).

- alfred -