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GREATER CUSTOMIZATION AND EXTENSIBILITY Connecting AutoCAD to your needs has never been easier AutoCAD software has always been open and easily extensible, but never more so than with AutoCAD 2000. The addition of the Visual LISP API to AutoCAD 2000 software, for example, not only updates the AutoLISP environment, it also greatly expands AutoCAD ActiveX support by including additional ActiveX objects and events. AutoCAD 2000 has also enhanced its VBA functionality, supporting multiple VBA projects and providing the ability to embed VBA projects inside AutoCAD drawing files. Developers can now use ObjectARX 3.0 to derive from base classes in the ObjectARX database for all AutoCAD objects. Integrated Visual LISP Development Environment The modern Visual LISP integrated development environment (IDE) makes it easier and faster for users and developers alike to create, debug, and deliver AutoLISP-based applications. With the extensive Visual LISP feature set, LISP function set, object reactors, LISP access to AutoCAD ActiveX objects, and other functionality, customizing AutoCAD has never been simpler. Major Visual LISP features and benefits include:
Visual LISP Editor Provides a Complete Development Environment
In AutoCAD 2000 software, developers can now derive from all AutoCAD object classes in the ObjectARX AcDb database. This enables fundamental custom object development built from existing AutoCAD database objects. The transition to object-oriented architecture, begun in AutoCAD Release 13 and carried forward in Release 14, is now completed in AutoCAD 2000.
AutoCAD 2000 users and developers have a larger set of AutoCAD ActiveX objects from which to choose in customizing and programming the software. That means you can create and manipulate more objects and program in object-based environments such as VBA and the new Visual LISP. AutoCAD 2000 software also offers developers an increased set of ActiveX events that can trigger applications to either launch or react to the AutoCAD environment. Some 22 application-level and document-level events have been added to AutoCAD 2000 software. This enhancement gives developers more flexibility in structuring customization efforts that would otherwise have to "synchronize" with the AutoCAD editor or database. This expanded capability gives you the freedom to "mold" AutoCAD 2000 through object-based environments such as VBA and Visual LISP so that it works the way you want to work. With AutoCAD 2000 software, users and developers can build, load, and embed multiple VBA projects in AutoCAD, a great improvement over the single-project limit of Release 14. This enhanced functionality also lets users and developers rapidly distribute customized solutions built in VBA that need to remain with the drawing file. VBA Manager Dialog
The new Options dialog provides easy access to new AutoCAD 2000 controls while incorporating options from the former Preferences dialog. Together these improvements enhance software learnability, improve system management, and give you the control you need over your drawing environment. The Options dialog
Options DialogUser Preferences Tab Release 14 introduced ActiveX Automation as an AutoCAD API. AutoCAD 2000 software leverages this interface by adding two new objects¾ MenuBar and MenuGroup¾ to the ObjectARX database. These additions provide a seamless integration of APIs, especially where toolbars are the preferred method of user interaction with the program. Many new features in AutoCAD 2000 have application programming interfaces (APIs), extensions that give users and developers more flexibility and control over the AutoCAD environment and database object set. Some of the more prominent features that are accessible through AutoCAD APIs include the following:
Although not exhaustive, this list is indicative of the wide scope both users and developers have in developing customized features and extended functionality for AutoCAD 2000 software. |
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