Augusto Goncalves - Autodesk

Using .NET Programming to Create NewPossibilities with the AutoCAD® Core ConsoleAugusto GoncalvesSenior Developer Consultant© 2012 Autodesk

Class SummaryStarting with AutoCAD 2013, it is now possible use AutoCAD softwarefrom the Core Console, which can help us automate tasks with a morestable and controllable headless AutoCAD. This class will explore how touse and integrate the Core Console using .NET programming. Priorknowledge of .NET programming and the AutoCAD API are required.© 2012 Autodesk

Learning ObjectivesAt the end of this class, you will be able to:• Use the AutoCAD Console with not programming skills• Create custom commands for the console• Speed up with threads• Integrate with Windows APIs© 2012 Autodesk

Getting started© 2012 Autodesk

What about you?• Do you know what is AutoCAD Core Console?• Have you used it?© 2012 Autodesk

Quick demo• Run at C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2013\accoreconsole.exe© 2012 Autodesk

Script Pro 2.0• Now supports Console• Download at http://labs.autodesk.com/utilities/scriptpro/• Demonstration© 2012 Autodesk

First Core Console Sample© 2012 Autodesk

Using .bat and .scr files• No complicated programming required• Write a .bat file that will launch AutoCAD Console and process filesFOR %%f IN (c:\DwgFolder\*.dwg) DO "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD2013\accoreconsole.exe" /i "%%f" /s "c:\MyScript.scr" /l en-US• Simple and effective• Demonstration© 2012 Autodesk

Using with plug-ins• Create plug-in with no interface• Launch and load the plug-in• NETLOAD, APPLOAD, VBALOAD• Run the custom command© 2012 Autodesk

Demonstration with .NET• Using .NET Process object• UseShellExecute = false and CreateNoWindow = true avoid console ‘UI’• Capture the console output• RedirectStandardOutput = true to capture the outpu• StandardOutput contains the text data• Plug-ins for the console can only use AcMgd and AcCoreMgd• DO NOT use AcMgd (UI)© 2012 Autodesk

Sequential or Parallel?© 2012 Autodesk

Can we achieve better results?• Start several AcCoreConsole process• In sequence• In parallel: up to 50% faster (empirical result)© 2012 Autodesk

Demonstration• Process files in sequence and parallel• Sample project Threads• Important: an AutoCAD process is not thread safe• No multithread inside the same accoreconsole© 2012 Autodesk

And with a 8-core machineIn sequenceIn parallelBetter use ofthe machine‘Not responding’system© 2012 Autodesk

What about licensing?© 2012 Autodesk

AutoCAD 2013 License and Services Agreement2. License Limitations/Prohibitions2.1 Limitations and Exclusions.2.1.1 No License Granted/Unauthorized Activities.(…)(g) except as otherwise expressly provided with respect to a specificLicense Type, to Install or Access or allow the Installation of or Accessto the Autodesk Materials over the Internet or other non-local network,including, without limitation, use in connection with a wide area network(WAN), virtual private network (VPN), virtualization, Web hosting, timesharing,service bureau, software as a service, cloud or other service ortechnology,(...)© 2012 Autodesk

Review the EULA for more informationC:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2013\Setup© 2012 Autodesk

Monitoring a folder© 2012 Autodesk

Process files copied/moved to a folder• Using FileSystemWatcher .NET API• Will process in parallel• One for each file affected• May ‘freeze’ not machine during the process• Demonstration• Sample project Monitor© 2012 Autodesk

Thank you!Questions?© 2012 Autodesk

Autodesk, AutoCAD* [*if/when mentioned in the pertinent material, followed by an alphabetical list of all other trademarks mentioned in the material] are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product andservices offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document. © 2012 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.© 2012 Autodesk