Using Visual Basic with AutoCAD

[Maxelkat]

I want to create a Visual Basic program that will open a particular AutoCAD file, replace a particular block with another one from a particular location (with position and scale of the new block matching the one being replaced), and save the altered file in a particular location.

Is what I'm attempting remotely possible?

[dbroada]

I have never been able to use VB to do this but I do use VB to build a script file that runs within AutoCAD to do so. As your tack sounds simple I would just write a script file without the VB bit unless you want to run this on a lot of drawings.

Alternatively you can write a VBA routine with AutoCAD (or you could, it is an option on newer versions) to run within an open drawing. Certainly what you have described is easily achieved with VBA.

[Maxelkat]

Cheers Dave,
Actually my colleague will be attacking the VB side of things. I think it'll be some sort of form that will lead the program to the right drawing, and make the right block replacement, hence the need for VB.
I sort of know how to do the AutoCAD bit, but I'm not sure how they work together. Knowing that it should be possible helps.
Elliott

[dbroada]

Form driven from VB is the bit I couldn't get to work but I know others have done it so it is possible. I just took the easy route.

[Jeff H]

If by 'Visual Basic' you mean VB.NET then yes, not enough knowledge to comment on VBA.

[BlackBox]

To the best of my limited understanding of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), yes this is possible; just be aware that VBA is no longer supported by Microsoft, and is being killed off through attrition.

While I know that VB.NET can also perform this task, IMO, the simplest solution (i.e., least amount of code), is to either write a Script (SCR), or to code yourself a small Visual LISP routine which employs ObjectDBX to programmatically perform the tasks stated in the OP.

My $0.02

[Bill Tillman]

just be aware that VBA is no longer supported by Microsoft, and is being killed off through attrition.

That's what I keep hearing yet just a few days ago I heard the M$ will be supporting VB6 through the lifecycle of Windows 8.

I'm working on several projects using VB.NET and VBA in Excel. Today as I looked up some information on the MSDN site the article I read had a single paragraph written in italics which reminded the reader that the information enclosed would soon be obselete and that I should pursue a method in the .NET arena. So I did.

The trouble is the docs for VB.NET are lacking, cryptic, and otherwise very difficult to digest.

My 2¢ worth.

[BlackBox]

That's what I keep hearing yet just a few days ago I heard the M$ will be supporting VB6 through the lifecycle of Windows 8.

... You'll love this thread then: VBA7 and C# scripting?

[BlackBox]

Also worthy of note... There is a difference between supporting VBA, and simply allowing it to live on.

As I stated, it (VBA) is no longer supported (unless they come out with VBA7!), and _will_ die off through attrition one day (... it may take them 50 years, but by Golly they'll kill it off!).

[btraemoore]

I threw this together from some stuff that i already have written. it may need some tweeking.

Sub your_BLK_name()
    Dim gpCode(1) As Integer
    Dim dataValue(1) As Variant
    Dim SS_your_BLK_name As AcadSelectionSet
    Dim i As Integer
    
    
    Set SS_your_BLK_name = ThisDrawing.SelectionSets.Add("SS_your_BLK_name")
        gpCode(0) = 0: dataValue(0) = "INSERT"
        gpCode(1) = 2: dataValue(1) = "name of old block"
        
    SS_your_BLK_name.Select acSelectionSetAll, , , gpCode, dataValue
    
    Dim BScale(2) As Double
    Dim BCoord() As Long
    Dim Cur_Blk as AcadBlockReference
        
        For i = 0 To SS_your_BLK_name.Count - 1
        Set Cur_Blk = SS_your_BLK_name.Item(i)
            
            If Cur_Blk.Name = "name of old block" Then
                BScale(0) = Cur_Blk.XScaleFactor
                BScale(1) = Cur_Blk.YScaleFactor
                BScale(2) = Cur_Blk.ZScaleFactor
                BCoord() = Cur_Blk.InsertionPoint
            End If
        
        Next i
    If SS_your_BLK_name.Count > 0 Then SS_your_BLK_name.Erase
    
    Dim BlockObj As AcadBlockReference
    Set BlockObj = ThisDrawing.ModelSpace.InsertBlock(BCoord, "new block name", BScale(0), BScale(1), BScale(2), 0)
    
End Sub