Programming AutoCAD in ObjectARX (Autodesk's Programmer) [Paperback]

Charles McAuley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 076680643X | ISBN-13: 978-0766806436 | Publication Date: January 19, 2000 | Edition: 1

This one-of-a-kind text provides a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of ObjectARX and an understanding of the underlying AutoCAD database structure. While intended for users who have experience with C++, Microsoft's Visual C++ products, and AutoCAD, this text is the place to start for beginners interested in ObjectARX and AutoCAD. Written and presented in a style that is easy to follow, the text includes topics such as: the ADS development system as it applies to ObjectARX today; understanding AutoCAD's database and entity structure; Windows interface elements in ObjectARX; data storage; transactions and transaction managers. All topics are reinforced with sample applications and source code.

Product Details

• Paperback: 678 pages
• Publisher: Delmar Cengage Learning; 1 edition (January 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076680643X
• ISBN-13: 978-0766806436
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #812,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars May drive you quickly back to VBA..., July 17, 2001

By 

Bruce Pierson (Bozeman, MT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Programming AutoCAD in ObjectARX (Autodesk's Programmer) (Paperback)

While I agree with the previous words, I must add the following to their reviews: If you are not comfortable with C++, don't even look at this book. The first thing you will see is that rather than:

Private Sub Command1_Click() MsgBox "Hello World!" End Sub

you have instead two(!) pages of code to even register the Hello World application in the proper ObjectARX (class-based) method. Add to that the fact the the ObjectARX model uses a mind-boggling array of macros, includes, etc, and you will quickly feel out of your depth.

There are VERY good reasons to do ObjectARX programming, most of which have to do with the ability to add your own custom classes to the AutoCAD object model, and creating your own entity types from scratch. If you don't need to do that yet, go get a beginning VC++/MFC book and study that. Meantime, VBA is extremely fast for all but the most demanding applications, and is worth very careful study.

I would also add: AutoCAD has some of the BEST documentation in the world. If you have already downloaded the ObjectARX SDK (which I assume since you are perusing a book about it), don't overlook the excellent documentation in PDF format. Not many people know about it, but it is there if you look.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Work!, April 19, 2000

By 

Kevin Duong, AutoCAD & MicroStation user. (Fluor Corp, Aliso Viejo, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Programming AutoCAD in ObjectARX (Autodesk's Programmer) (Paperback)

This book is a must for anybody who wants to learn ObjectARX. The CD-Rom has tons of great coding examples. The projects are really interesting to study from. My recommendation on learning ObjectARX is to buy & study the ObjectARX Primer & the Ransen's ObjectArx CD Course first, study this book next & you will be well on your way to become an ObjectARX expert.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very good for beginners but not cover essential points., March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Programming AutoCAD in ObjectARX (Autodesk's Programmer) (Paperback)

This book teach you how to build a first level application for AutoCAD. You learn the basics: to develop your own custom entity, to register commands... But there is nothing about advanced features: deep cloning, COM features (OPM, Design Center...), relationships between objects...