ObjectARX from the beginning, the guantlet is thrown.

[Shawndoe]

There has been some talk about learning ObjectARX and what it would take. I've been interested in the idea for a while now, and so I've decided to pull together some information.

 

Below is the path to the Autodesk Development Center web site for ObjectARX.

 

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=773204&siteID=123112

 

From this we can see that the first thing we need to do is learn C++ or one of the other variants supported by ObjectARX. I want to concentrate on C++ because it relates to other things that I do. So as you might have guessed this means that the first part of our ObjectARX class will be to learn C++.

 

From this site you can also download the ObjectARX SDK. I am going to be developing for AutoCAD 2009, you will want to download the SDK for the AutoCAD version you want to develop in. The AutoCAD SDK libraries very from version to version so you probably won't need to recode when you change ACAD versions, but you will need to recompile. Unfotunately they don't have the SDKs for versions earlier then 2007 posted.

 

If you have already downloaded the SDK then open the Help file located in the "arxlabs" subdirectory, and look at the introduction. For the rest of you I will quote from the introduction.

 

 

Before you begin you must have installed the following:

 

AutoCAD

 

ObjectARX SDK

 

http://www.autodesk.com/objectarx

 

http://www.objectarx.com

 

Microsoft Visual C++ .NET 2005

 

ObjectARX Wizard

You can install the wizard using the installer ArxWizards.msi available at "\utils\ObjARXWiz\"

 

Windows 2000 or Windows XP

 

 

The tutorial assumes that you have knowledge of AutoCAD and Visual C++.

 

I'm planning on using Visual Studio 2008 when I start coding ARX routines, but to just learn C++ there are a number of compilers and development environments, no need to spend money till we have to. Therefore, I choose to start with devcpp-4.9.9.2. I will upgrade to VisualStudio when we get past the basics. If you want to use this compiler it can be found at:

 

http://www.bloodshed.net/dev/devcpp.html

 

This compiler is free and was pretty well reviewed in my searches. I will add other compilers to this list if provided.

 

I found the C++ Language Tutorial at:

 

http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial.

 

This looks like a pretty good tutorial that will give us what we need. That said I am open to suggestions as to alternitives, so long as they meet my one criteria... Free.

 

As for the program editor, I use Textpad. Use any editor that you feel comfortable with. I will add it to the list if you provide it.

 

http://www.textpad.com/

 

Once we have our compiler and program editor installed we can start to really learn C++. Given that most of us have a least a little programming background we should get through the basics pretty quick.

 

I am hoping to post one lesson a week or so, depending on how much progress it feels like we are making. The first lesson will be the basic structure of a C++ program using the dreaded "Hello World" program, variables/data types, Constants, Operators, and Basic Input/Output. My plan is basically to follow the outline of the C++ tutorial until we feel we understand enough C++ to start writting ARX code. I figure that day is about 4-5 weeks away, though some will be faster then others, and can hopefully speed the rest of us up (Lee). I will post the first lesson sometime next weekend depending on my work load. That should allow time for those who are ready for the challenge to choose their software and install it.

 

If any of you out there know C++ and or ARX and would be willing to help, it would be much apprecaited.

 

Have a good week.

Shawndoe

[wizman]

looking forward for your lessons, thanks

[flowerrobot]

As i posted in the other topic

 

http://www.filefactory.com/file/aacgf7/n/C_For_Dummies_5th_Edition_pdf

both pdf and cd's

 

http://warezforum.info/ebooks-tutorials/168123-c-dummies-5th-edition-ebook-cd.html

 

Its the one ima using, its basicly light reading. im 1/4 threw it after 2 nights. Many may find it basic but, the learning gets in their, with much less effort, tho i find it does explain some things easily like

instead of setq they have

int = interger

long = big interger

double = real

boon = true of false

etc

 

their was also this one, which i havnt read, but looks at like the step after the one above

 

http://www.filefactory.com/file/aabga3/n/Teach_Yourself_Visual_C_6_in_21_days_pdf

 

 

 

Ive being using like Shawndoe

said

dev-c++ (bloodshed) also the books recommend this

And microsofts one, but this requires a bit more knowlegde to use .h file and stuff.

http://www.microsoft.com/express/vc/Default.aspx

[wannabe]

I've learnt a lot of C# and a moderate amount of the AutoCAD .NET managed API. There are many benefits for me to learn C++; for CAD and for general programming.

 

I've just finished reading my latest C# book, so learning C++ will fill the vacancy (an hour a day).

 

So count me in and let me know how I can help.

 

SEANT is quite an enthusiast and may also want to join the happy train:D

 

EDIT: Can you put the intended plan of action into a flow-diagramatic depiction? I find it conducive to information absorbtion.

[SEANT]

I’ve already got my C++ Beginners Guide as well as the AutoCAD 2009 ObjectARX Developer’s Guide. I don’t know how consistently I’ll have time to devote to my C++ studies, though getting a reasonable handle on it is a near/long term goal.

[Lee Mac]

Hi Guys,

 

I am willing to join the "Happy Train" as you might have figured - but it worries me that I only have access to AutoCAD '04, and judging by your first post Shawn, it seems you need '07 or later to get started with compiling...

 

I am happy to learn C++ and look forward to the lessons - but I am not sure how far I can go without shelling out for a later version of AutoCAD - when I don't even do drafting... is there any other way to learn ObjectARX....

 

Lee

[wannabe]

Lee, you're a student. You should qualify for student versions of many of the Autodesk product range. Seriously!

[Freerefill]

Wow, actual lessons o.o I'm not sure about ObjectARX but if this helps me learn C++ then I'm all over it like Mario on a Fire Flower!

[Lee Mac]

Lee, you're a student. You should qualify for student versions of many of the Autodesk product range. Seriously!

 

Are you sure? Even though I am not doing a degree in Design or that field?

 

If so, how would I go about claiming for a copy?

[wannabe]

Are you sure? Even though I am not doing a degree in Design or that field?

 

If so, how would I go about claiming for a copy?

 

 

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?t=23080

[Shawndoe]

Hi Lee,

 

Check here.

 

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=10916786

 

They have a few hoops to jump through, but nothing to bad. I think their primary requirment is that you have a pulse and a .edu email. Your also probably better off learning to code on a later version of CAD to catch the latest changes.

 

That said, just because you can't get the 2004 SDK at Autodesk doesn't mean somebody, say at the Swamp, doesn't have a copy floating around.

 

Have a good one.

Shawndoe

[wannabe]

Am I getting a flow diagram then?

[Lee Mac]

Just signed up to the AutoDesk Student thingy - pretty neat

[Lee Mac]

You guys are awesome - just downloading 13 months of AutoCAD 2010

[Lee Mac]

Just started using AutoCAD 2010, so different from '04... can't believe how many new things there are... and how different the layout is... this will take some time to get used to...

[Freerefill]

First thing I hated about 2009: the bloody Ribbon. Seriously, it took me half an hour to switch back to the Classic layout with actual toolbars (which are a few pixels smaller than 2008, which is pretty gear). Once I did, I made it a point to remember exactly what I did should I ever need to do it again.

 

I'm glad I'm done with 2009, it was writhe with problems, though it did have some rather ingenious improvements. I hope 2010 has fixed the problems and improved the improvements.

 

Not sure if 2010 has it (2009 did), but if it does, download Google Earth (free) and check out some of the Google Earth options.. now if there was ever a sweet addition to AutoCAD.. :3

 

And if you're going to get Google Earth, try hitting Ctrl+Alt+A :3

[wannabe]

So what are the requirements for 13 months of 2010? Did you need to verify student status or can anyone get it?

 

I started to read the free software "to thrive, not survive" but cheesey corporate lingo puts me to sleep.

[Lee Mac]

So what are the requirements for 13 months of 2010? Did you need to verify student status or can anyone get it?

 

You need a student email address that they use to verify it.

 

First impressions of AutoCAD 2010 - I agree, the ribbon looks impressive with all its nice pictures, but I immediately switched the "workspace" settings to "uAutoCAD Classic"...

 

But the one thing I have noticed - which is not too good - is that my laptop is now running about 10x slower than it was before I installed 2010... and it runs slow regardless of whether I am running AutoCAD or not. I have done a virus scan, and had no results - so I cannot see what it can be My laptop just goes into "Not Responding" every few minutes... quite annoying.

[ReMark]

Lee:

 

Regarding improving the performance of AutoCAD on your laptop.

 

Run SCANDISK to check for hard drive errors. Follow this up by defragging the hard drive.

 

The three most common things you can do to improve performance are 1) add more RAM, 2) increase the page file size and 3) increase free space on your primary drive.

 

Does you laptop have a dedicated graphics card or does it use an integrated onboard graphics chip?

 

There are some things you can do to speed up Vista as well. It may mean having to turn off some features. Would you be willing to do this?

[Freerefill]

Also, AutoCAD 2009 was incredibly graphics-heavy and was quite a memory hog for me as well. I can't be certain, but I'll bet lines to splines that it has something to do with the tab tooltips, specifically being able to see a mini version of each tab just by hovering your mouse over it. I think all of that data is processed, regardless of whether or not you have those settings switched on, which takes lots of extra time and memory. Plus, they might have beefed up the graphics engine itself.

 

With 2009, I couldn't open any drawing larger than about 18 megabytes without it crashing (no warning, just blip, gone). That's one of the reasons I switched back to 2008. I sincerely hope you don't have this problem as well, Lee. It drove me absolutely bonkers. Especially when one-sixth of the landbase data for the buildings -alone- for the city of Chicago was pushing 40 megabytes.