Tools represent the functionality that your application provides. A tool consists of a graphical icon, a set of configuration parameters, and a COM module that exposes the tool's properties and behavior. Tools must be defined in such a way that the Tool Palette framework can identify them and resolve their dependencies. This is done with the COM interfaces and ObjectARX classes shown in the following tables.
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Tool and Catalog Interfaces |
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|---|---|
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Interface |
Purpose |
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IAcadStockTool |
Called by the framework to get a pointer to the underlying IAcadTool instance. (required) |
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IAcadTool |
Manages a tool's properties and behavior, and notifies when multiple tools are selected for editing. (required) |
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IAcadToolCopyPaste |
For implementing a tool's clipboard support. (optional) |
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IAcadToolDragSource |
Notifies the stock tool object when its tools are dragged from the Tool Palette. (optional) |
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IAcadToolDropTarget |
Notifies the stock tool when objects are dropped in the Tool Palette. Allows the creation of multiple tools from a single dropped cluster. (optional) |
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IAcadToolProperties |
Passed to the tool by the framework when the tool is loaded. Used to get and set the tool's display properties. Also provides support for flyouts, shapes, and overlay images. (optional) |
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IAcadToolImage |
Implemented by the framework to manage image objects. (optional) |
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IAcadToolContextMenu |
Provides access to the Tool Palettes window's right-click menu. (optional) |
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IAcadToolFlyoutShape |
Communicates information from the framework regarding a user's selection of flyout shapes. (optional) |
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IAcadToolSort |
Lets tools participate in custom sorting. (optional) |
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Tool and Catalog Classes |
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|---|---|
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Class |
Purpose |
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AcTcCatalogItem |
Base class for all catalog items. Encapsulates common catalog item properties and behavior. |
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AcTcTool |
Encapsulates the tool item in the tool catalog. |
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AcTcPackage |
Encapsulates the package item in the tool catalog. |
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AcTcPalette |
Encapsulates the palette item in the tool catalog. |
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AcTcCategory |
Encapsulates the category item in the tool catalog. |
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AcTcCatalog |
Encapsulates the catalog item in the tool catalog. |
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AcTcCatalogSet |
Stores and manages a collection of catalogs. |
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AcTcCatalogItemReactor |
Base class for receiving notifications when children of a catalog's items are added, removed, or deleted. |
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AcTcScheme |
Stores and manages a tool palette scheme. |
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AcTcStockTool |
Represents a registered stock tool. Encapsulates the reading and writing of the stock tool's registration information. |
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AcTcImage |
Provides functionality for handling BMP, JPG, GIF, and PNG image files. |
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AcTcImageList |
Manages the images associated with a catalog item. |
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AcTcManager |
Manages stock tool catalogs and workspace catalogs. |