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Register .NET Connection in Advance Steel

.NET Connections must be registered to be used in Advance Steel.

In order to us the .NET Connection in Advance Steel, follow these steps to register it.

  1. Open the AstorRules database (typically: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Advance Steel 2025\Steel\Data).
  2. Open RulesDllSigned table.
  3. Add a new record:
    1. Key - Use a value well above the standard Advance Steel range, e.g. 150000.
    2. FileName - The name of the dll (library) that implements your connection.
    3. Tech - This should be 2 for .NET Connections. All options include:
      1. "0" for connections using COM API, implemented in C++.
      2. "1" for connections using COM API, implemented in .NET.
      3. "2" for .NET API connections.
    4. Signature - not currently used.
  4. Open HRLDefinition table. Add a new record:
    1. Key - Use a value well above the standard Advance Steel range, e.g. 150000.
    2. Rule run name - How your connection will be seen in Advance Steel.
    3. Internal name - Use a unique simple name with no spaces. This will be used to invoke your connection.
    4. Category - Used to group connection families.
    5. Dll - The key you used when added the new record to the RulesDllSigned table above.
    6. SubNameInDll - The complete name of the class that implements the IRule interface, including the namespace.
    7. ClassId - Generate a new unique GUID here for your connection. It will only be applicable if you create a connection design module for your connection as well.
  5. Place the DLL that implements the connection in the Advance Steel installation folder - usually C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD<version>\ADVS.
  6. To test the connection inside Advance Steel, type AstM4CrConByVb <connectionName> (the InternalName you entered in Step 4c above).
Parent topic: .NET Connections

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