The ObjectARX® programming environment provides an object-oriented C++ application programming interface for developers to use, customize, and extend AutoCAD®. An ObjectARX application is a dynamic link library (DLL) that shares the address space of AutoCAD and makes direct function calls to AutoCAD.
The ObjectARX libraries comprise a versatile set of tools for application developers to take advantage of AutoCAD's open architecture, providing direct access to AutoCAD database structures, the graphics system, and native command definition. In addition, these libraries are designed to work in conjunction with:
- AutoLISP and Visual LISP
- .NET Framework (Windows only)
- ActiveX® Automation and COM (Windows only)
The following terms describe technologies that are closely related to ObjectARX:
- ObjectDBX™
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The database-related subset of ObjectARX, which includes support for custom objects and entities. These APIs do not include classes that interact with the AutoCAD editor or provide user interface functionality.
- RealDWG®
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A separately licensed SDK for developing host applications that use ObjectDBX to read and write DWG and DXF files without AutoCAD. See the autodesk.com Developer Center for more information about the RealDWG SDK.
- Object Enabler
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A module with the .dbx extension that defines custom DWG and DXF database objects and entities using only the ObjectDBX portion of the ObjectARX SDK. An Object Enabler is not dependent on AutoCAD and can load in any RealDWG host application.
As a developer, you can use ObjectARX to accomplish the following tasks:
- Access the AutoCAD database
- Interact with the AutoCAD editor
- Support the multiple document interface (MDI)
- Create custom classes
- Build complex applications
- Interact with other programming environments
- Create user interfaces using the Microsoft®Foundation Classes (MFC) (Windows only)
- Create user interfaces using Cocoa (Mac only)