Wiley AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies 978-0-471-75260-8 User Manual
Product codes
978-0-471-75260-8
Discovering What You Can Do by Programming AutoCAD
654
Discovering What You Can Do
by Programming AutoCAD
by Programming AutoCAD
You might be thinking to yourself, “I’m not a programmer, so why do I want
to know about programming interfaces?” The best reason to discover the
programming interfaces is to simplify repetitive tasks in your workflow. If
you can create very basic custom programs that save 15 minutes a day, the
effort is worth your time — especially if you can share these programs with
your coworkers.
to know about programming interfaces?” The best reason to discover the
programming interfaces is to simplify repetitive tasks in your workflow. If
you can create very basic custom programs that save 15 minutes a day, the
effort is worth your time — especially if you can share these programs with
your coworkers.
Over time, your 15-minute savings can grow into much more as you become
more efficient with the programming interface. Custom programs don’t need
to be complex to increase efficiency. They can be simple, like creating new
commands that can be used to perform a Zoom Previous from the command
line, or complicated, taking on issues such as CAD standards.
more efficient with the programming interface. Custom programs don’t need
to be complex to increase efficiency. They can be simple, like creating new
commands that can be used to perform a Zoom Previous from the command
line, or complicated, taking on issues such as CAD standards.
Managing CAD standards can be a nightmare, but the process can be
improved by using programming interfaces. Tasks such as making sure
dimensions are placed on the correct layer can be accomplished if you
understand the programming interfaces and how AutoCAD works. You don’t
need to understand how the information is actually written to the file, but
you do need to know how it is logically organized. By logically organized, we
mean you should understand that objects such as layers aren’t just floating
around inside a drawing; instead, they are stored in a table that contains all
the layers in a drawing.
improved by using programming interfaces. Tasks such as making sure
dimensions are placed on the correct layer can be accomplished if you
understand the programming interfaces and how AutoCAD works. You don’t
need to understand how the information is actually written to the file, but
you do need to know how it is logically organized. By logically organized, we
mean you should understand that objects such as layers aren’t just floating
around inside a drawing; instead, they are stored in a table that contains all
the layers in a drawing.
The advantages of using APIs
The advantages of APIs differ based on whether you are already using third-
party applications or add-ons for AutoCAD. Even if you are, you may still dis-
cover advantages to in-house programming. Here are some of the benefits
for creating custom programs for AutoCAD:
party applications or add-ons for AutoCAD. Even if you are, you may still dis-
cover advantages to in-house programming. Here are some of the benefits
for creating custom programs for AutoCAD:
✦ Accuracy: By creating a custom program that runs consistently every
time, you can increase the accuracy of your drawings. If a process has a
large number of steps in it, some steps might be overlooked. This can
cause errors to creep into your design.
large number of steps in it, some steps might be overlooked. This can
cause errors to creep into your design.
✦ Appearance: Programming can aid in making drawings look uniform by
allowing you to set up drawing options that can’t be defined in a drawing
template or by allowing you to automate the updating of objects in a
drawing.
template or by allowing you to automate the updating of objects in a
drawing.
✦ Efficiency: Repetitive tasks can be speeded up, enabling drafters to
spend more time on the design process.
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