AutoCAD .NET Wizards

• Modern wizards for .NET Core projects

• This tool uses VSIX technology to install a VS Template on Visual Studio.

• All command-line instructions should run on the[ Visual Studio Developer Command Prompt.](Command-line shells & prompt for developers - Visual Studio (Windows) | Microsoft Learn)

Steps To Build

git clone https://github.com/ADN-DevTech/AutoCAD-Net-Wizards.git
cd AutoCAD-Net-Wizards\AutoCAD-Plugin-Template
devenv AutoCAD-Plugin.sln
msbuild PluginVsix\PluginVsix.csproj /t:build /p:Configuration=Release;Platform=x64

• To create template packs for both C# and VB

  • Set ExamplePlugin as Start Up Project.

  • From Menubar->Project->Export Template

  • Repeat same for ExamplePluginVB

  

Steps To Install

• Download and unpack https://github.com/ADN-DevTech/AutoCAD-Net-Wizards/releases/download/v2025/PluginVsix.zip

• Double Click PluginVsix.vsix

  

  

  

Tips

• After creating the project from the template pack, edit launchSettings.json to change the executable path to acad.exe.

  • Wizard template fetches the AutoCAD NuGet package from the Microsoft NuGet Server.
  • The template project will resolve to the local NuGet package if it already exists at %USERPROFILE%\.nuget.
  • To add the ObjectARX SDK or Civil SDK from a local file disk, edit the project file (.csproj).
  • Add <AssemblySearchPaths>D:\Arx2025\inc\;$(AssemblySearchPaths)</AssemblySearchPaths>.

• Select the project from solution explorer and right click.

  

• A typical .NET plugin project to accomodate AutoCAD, ACA, C3D etc.

<Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
  <PropertyGroup>
    <TargetFramework>net8.0-windows</TargetFramework>
    <Platforms>x64</Platforms>
    <OutputType>Library</OutputType>
    <RootNamespace>Example</RootNamespace>
    <GenerateAssemblyInfo>false</GenerateAssemblyInfo>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup>
     <!--Edit ArxSdk to local ObjectARX Path-->
    <ArxSdk>D:\ArxSDKs\arx2025</ArxSdk>
     <!--Edit AcadDir to AutoCAD 2025 Install path-->
    <AcadDir>D:\ACAD\venn\AutoCAD 2025</AcadDir>
    <ArxMgdPath>$(AcadDir)</ArxMgdPath>
    <OMFMgdPath>$(AcadDir)\ACA\</OMFMgdPath>
    <AeccMgdPath>$(AcadDir)\C3D\</AeccMgdPath>
    <AssemblySearchPaths>$(ArxSdk)\inc\;$(OMFMgdPath);$(AeccMgdPath);$(AssemblySearchPaths)</AssemblySearchPaths>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Debug|x64'">
    <OutputPath>bin\x64\Debug\</OutputPath>
    <CodeAnalysisRuleSet>MinimumRecommendedRules.ruleset</CodeAnalysisRuleSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)' == 'Release|x64'">
    <OutputPath>bin\x64\Release\</OutputPath>
    <CodeAnalysisRuleSet>MinimumRecommendedRules.ruleset</CodeAnalysisRuleSet>
  </PropertyGroup>
  <PropertyGroup>
    <AppendTargetFrameworkToOutputPath>false</AppendTargetFrameworkToOutputPath>
    <AppendRuntimeIdentifierToOutputPath>false</AppendRuntimeIdentifierToOutputPath>
  </PropertyGroup>
    <ItemGroup Condition=" '$(UsingMicrosoftNETSdk)' == 'true' or '$(CLRSupport)' == 'NetCore' ">
        <FrameworkReference Include="Microsoft.WindowsDesktop.App" />
    </ItemGroup>
    <ItemDefinitionGroup Condition=" '$(CLRSupport)' == 'NetCore' ">
        <ClCompile>
            <DisableSpecificWarnings>4945;%(DisableSpecificWarnings)</DisableSpecificWarnings>
        </ClCompile>
    </ItemDefinitionGroup>
  <ItemGroup>
    <Reference Include="acdbmgd">
      <SpecificVersion>False</SpecificVersion>
      <HintPath>$(ArxMgdPath)\acdbmgd.dll</HintPath>
      <Private>False</Private>
    </Reference>
    <Reference Include="acmgd">
      <SpecificVersion>False</SpecificVersion>
      <HintPath>$(ArxMgdPath)\acmgd.dll</HintPath>
      <Private>False</Private>
    </Reference>
    <Reference Include="accoremgd">
      <SpecificVersion>False</SpecificVersion>
      <HintPath>$(ArxMgdPath)\accoremgd.dll</HintPath>
      <Private>False</Private>
    </Reference>
    <Reference Include="AecBaseMgd">
      <SpecificVersion>False</SpecificVersion>
      <HintPath>$(OMFMgdPath)\AecBaseMgd.dll</HintPath>
      <Private>False</Private>
    </Reference>
    <Reference Include="AeccDbMgd">
      <SpecificVersion>False</SpecificVersion>
      <HintPath>$(AeccMgdPath)\AeccDbMgd.dll</HintPath>
      <Private>False</Private>
    </Reference>
    <!--Add any other references here -->  

  </ItemGroup>
</Project>

• launchSettings for various profiles

{
  "profiles": {
    "Example": {
      "commandName": "Project"
    },
    "Acad": {
      "commandName": "Executable",
      "executablePath": "$(AcadDir)\\acad.exe"
    },
    "C3D-Metric": {
      "commandName": "Executable",
      "executablePath": "$(AcadDir)\\acad.exe",
      "commandLineArgs": " /ld \"$(AcadDir)\\AecBase.dbx\" /p \"<<C3D_Metric>>\" /product C3D /language en-US"
    },
    "C3D-Imperial": {
      "commandName": "Executable",
      "executablePath": "$(AcadDir)\\acad.exe",
      "commandLineArgs": " /ld \"$(AcadDir)\\AecBase.dbx\" /p \"<<C3D_Imperial>>\" /product C3D /language en-US"
    }
  }
}

Uninstall Plugin VSIX

• Through CLI

vsixinstaller /u:AutoCAD2025_07DA9910-9E94-471B-BD32-565D05D4D857

• Through UI

Written By

• Madhukar Moogala , Autodesk Platform Services (@galakar)