Articles

AutoLISP
 
AutoLISP - Getting Started
 
AutoLISP - Using Setq function
 
VisualLISP
 
AutoCAD VBA
 
AutoCAD.Net
 
AutoCAD Customization
 
SolidWorks VBA
 
SolidEdge VBA
 


Training

 
AutoLISP & VisualLISP
DCL-Dialog Control Language
 
AutoCAD VBA
 
ObjectARX
 
AutoCAD.Net
 
Inventor API
 
SolidWorks API
 
SolidEdge API

Download

AutoCAD.Net Code
 


Tutorials

AutoCAD 3D Press-Pull
AutoLISP - Getting Started
 
AutoLISP - Using Setq function
 
 


Services

AutoCAD Customization
 
CAD Customization
 
SolidWorks Customization
 

Articles > AutoCAD VBA

 

Introduction:

 

One of the tools for AutoCAD customization is AutoCAD VBA (Visual Basic for Applications). It is a subset of Visual Basic 6.0 programming language. AutoCAD have the inbuilt Visual Basic IDE (Integrated Development Environment). AutoCAD Component Object Model (COM) is accessed using VBA & desired results are achieved.

 

Advantages of AutoCAD VBA when compared with AutoLISP

 

- Creation of user interface is very simple. It has ready-made controls, which can be clicked & drawn on form. User interface can be very easily designed.
- You don’t have to worry about parenthesis.
- Visual Basic is versatile language, once learn can also be used for other types of software development.

 

 

 

What to learn AutoCAD VBA or AutoLISP?

 

It depends on what exactly to be achieved. There are different scenarios, which can be considered.

- Don’t have any programming experience. Want to learn AutoCAD programming by doing self-study. Want the result fast. Have doubts about programming capabilities. In such a case AutoLISP is recommended. Once confidence is gained in programming other environment can be explored.

- Comfortable with Visual Basic programming. Done some other developments with Visual Basic. Knows how to use Visual Basic for application development & Have good working level knowledge of AutoCAD. In such a scenario AutoCAD VBA is recommended.

- If it is possible to join training classes to learn AutoCAD customization then AutoCAD VBA is good to start with.

 

Learning Visual Basic is necessary for AutoCAD VBA?

 

If you have not done any programming before then learning Visual Basic is recommended. It helps in developing the programming capabilities. It clarifies your basic programming concepts. It give knowledge about the building blocks of any program such as variables, decision making, loops, array, functions, file handling, error handling etc.

 

Visual Basic can also be used for any other types of software development, which gives an added advantage.

 

 

Related links:

 

Ø       Read article on AutoCAD Customization, AutoLISP

Ø       Learn AutoCAD Customization using AutoCAD VBA, AutoLISP & VisualLISP, DCL, AutoCAD.Net, ObjectARX

Ø       Learn other CAD Customization tools such as SolidWorks API, SolidEdge API, Inventor API

 

 
Copyright © 2008 CADDsoft Solutions, all rights reserved