Printing DWG files with VB .Net

[Aaron@LRS]

Greetings. Can anyone give direction on how to print DWG files from VB .Net? I've seen discussion on using an AutoCAD API to conduct the printing, however, I haven't seen examples. Currently, we are converting the DWGs to BMPs and then printing the BMP through Crystal Reports .Net. But, I feel that there must be a better, more efficient solution with the AutoCAD software.

Thanks.

[Frank Oquendo]

Post by ***@LRS
Greetings. Can anyone give direction on how to print DWG files from
VB .Net?

Just have a look at the samples in the help file.

You may be using a slightly different syntax in .NET but it's still the
exact same COM API.

[Aaron@LRS]

Thanks, Frank. My problem is that I currently don't have the AutoCAD help at my disposal. Is there any way that you can email the code samples (***@lrs.com)?

I really appreciate your help!

-ak

[Frank Oquendo]

Post by ***@LRS
Thanks, Frank. My problem is that I currently don't have the AutoCAD
help at my disposal.

Do you have AutoCAD installed on your development machine?

If so, fire it up then go to the Help menu and select "Developer help".

[Aaron@LRS]

Unfortunately, I don't. I'm developing an application for another company that has an end goal of printing DWG files. They are hesitant to let me install AutoCAD until I can demonstrate or prove that it is necessary to acheive the end result. Basically, if I can show code that will do what they need, then I can get the go ahead for the installation and continue.

[Frank Oquendo]

Post by ***@LRS
Basically, if I can show code
that will do what they need, then I can get the go ahead for the
installation and continue.

So you have no way to test your code? That sounds like a raw deal.

[Mike Tuersley]

Post by Frank Oquendo
So you have no way to test your code? That sounds like a raw deal.

That's putting it mild - course the client sounds like a REAL bunch of
winners if they don't understand the difference between a printout of a BMP
and a DWG. If I even suggested using a rastered image of a drawing for
printing, all my clients would run away faster than I could blink ;)

As for help files, search the ng and/or web - there's enough sample code to
proviide proof of concept w/o writing a line!

-- Mike
___________________________
Mike Tuersley
CADalyst's CAD Clinic
Rand IMAGINiT Technologies
___________________________
the trick is to realize that there is no spoon...

[James Belshan]

I don't use VoloView, but a lot of people in the NG do, so maybe someone
else could tell you if it would meet your needs -- anyone.... anyone....
Bueller... Bueller?.

It looks like it's inexpensive, programmable, and compatible with DWG files.
It's on the Products page at Autodesk.com.

HTH,
James

[Mike Tuersley]

I wouldn't base any solution on it. It has no .NET interface [yes, you
could use COM] and a *very* limited life span - if it is even still
available. DWF Express/Composer is its replacements. The Composer can do it
with the DWG plug-in *if* that has been released yet [not sure if still in
beta]. The downside is it is not free and the plugin is basically a light
version of LT - NOT what I consder a plug in [about 800mb last I saw it].

So the dwgs could be converted to dwf and then printed thru the express
viewer. Have done it and it works fairly well. Just my $0.02!

-- Mike
___________________________
Mike Tuersley
CADalyst's CAD Clinic
Rand IMAGINiT Technologies
___________________________
the trick is to realize that there is no spoon...