1

Table of Contents
1. Brief Introduction .............................................................................. 4
2. Development Environment ............................................................... 5
3. Original Code ................................................................................... 6
4. Install GstarCAD SDK ...................................................................... 7
5. VS2017 C# .NET Migration Process ................................................ 8
5.1. Change Reference Files ......................................................... 8
5.1.1. Remove the Reference................................................... 8
5.1.2. Add Reference ............................................................... 8
5.1.3. Choose and Add the Files .............................................. 9
5.1.4. Change the Target Framework ..................................... 11
5.1.5. Modify the Name in Name Space ................................. 12
5.1.6. Compile Program ......................................................... 12
6. VS2017 VB.NET Migration Process ............................................... 13
6.1. Change Reference Files ....................................................... 13
6.1.1. Remove the Reference................................................. 13
6.1.2. Add Reference ............................................................. 13
6.1.3. Choose and Add the Files ............................................ 14
6.1.4. Change the Target Frame ............................................. 16
6.1.5. Modify the Name in Name Space ................................. 16
6.1.6. Compile Program ......................................................... 16
6.2. Using ..................................................................................... 16
6.3. ResultBuffer .......................................................................... 17
6.4. Alternative method to import Unmanaged ARX Function ...... 17
6.5. Alternative Method ................................................................ 17
6.6. Other Usages ........................................................................ 19
6.6.1. Abtain GCAD Application Object under VB enveriment 19
6.6.2. C#.NET and VB.NET Name space Modifaction............ 20
6.7. Replacement Sample ............................................................ 21

2
 6.7.1. Namespace Replacement ............................................ 21
6.7.2. Class Name and Property Name Replacement Sample
21
7. Copyright ........................................................................................ 22

3
1. Brief Introduction

Secondary developers from various industries have developed mass of .NET applications

base on AutoCAD®, and one of the highlights of GstarCAD .NET is that GstarCAD

achieves source-level compatibility with AutoCAD® .Net programs. Which means a set of

code suits for two platforms, the developers can migrate the .NET program from AutoCAD

to GstarCAD with almost no code changing. This guide provided for developers migrating

their code to GstarCAD®.

4
2. Development Environment

 Microsoft Visual Studio Enterprise 2017（Version 15.9.17）

 CPU：

Basic Requirement：1.6 GHz CUP，Recommend：3.0 GHz CPU and above

 RAM：

Basic Requirement：2 GB，Recommend：8 GB and above

 Operation System

Windows 10 version 1507 and advanced version：Including home version, professional

version, education version and enterprise version（not support LTSC and Windows 10 S）

Windows 8.1（with updated 2919355）

： Core version, professional version and enterprise

version

： Including home version, professional

Windows 7 SP1（with latest Windows updated）

version, enterprise version and Ultimate version

 Monitor Resolution:

Traditional monitor：1028 x 800 and above CRT monitor, High resolution and 4K (3840 x

2160) monitor

 GRX SDK 2020

 GstarCAD 2020

 .NET Framework 4.8 and above

5
3. Original Code

The original code should be DOTNET application source code which is from the DONET

ObjectARX 2010 or higher version.

6
4. Install GstarCAD SDK

Download GstarCAD SDK package from our official website:

https://www.gstarcad.net/download/

After you get the GRXSDK.ZIP file, please extract it to your disk directory, for instance,

C:\grxsdk. Afterwards you will get 6 files, which they are inc,inc-x64,inc-x86,lib-x64,lib-x86

and samples.
• The Inc file includes header files

• The inc-x64 file includes the files used in COM and .NET for 64 bit

• The inc-x86 file includes the files used in COM and .NET for 32 bit

• The lib-x64 file includes the files referenced from GRX library

• The lib-x86 file includes the files referenced from GRX library

• Samples includes project files, they are dotnet，fact_dg，HelloADS，HelloARX，

SimplePalette, etc.

The instruction of sample projects:

 Dotnet includes multiple dotnet samples，including addline，hello，vbhello, etc.

1) Addline includes .NET example for adding solid line.

2) Hello includes .NET example for prompting the information of output.

3) Vbhello includes VB.NET example for how to develop with .NET API.

 fact_dg includes example for defining LSP function.

 HelloADS includes the project for how to develop the type of ADS.

 HelloARX includes includes the example for how to develop with ARX API.
SimplePalette includes the example for how to develop the type modules for palette

7
5. VS2017 C# .NET Migration Process

5.1. Change Reference Files

5.1.1. Remove the Reference

Remove acad reference files, as shown below.

5.1.2. Add Reference

In VS 2017, find the Hello project you have been created on the solution explorer. Select

the Hello project and right click to select Add Reference. After the "Reference Manager"

dialog box pops out, click Browse button as shown below.

8
5.1.3. Choose and Add the Files
Find the GstarCADSDK installation path, for example, “C:\grxsdk\inc”. Select gmap.dll and

gmdb.dll files in “c:\grxsdk\inc-x86” and add them by clicking Add button（If you use

GstarCAD 64-bit version, please select GrxCAD.Interop.dll in inc-x64）

9
Remark：gmap.dll and gmdb.dll have to be added but file GrxCAD.Interop.dll is optional.

After adding the files, right click each added reference file, click Property at the context

menu, then the "Reference Properties" palette pops up, change the "Copy Local" property

from True to False. The following image shows how to change "Copy Local" property for

gmap.dll file. Please take it as reference to change gmdb.dll file's Copy Local property.

10
5.1.4. Change the Target Framework

In VS 2017, find the Hello project you have been created on the solution explorer. Right

click to select Properties. After the new page opens, please change the "Target

framework" to Framework 4.8 from the pull-down list in Application menu.

11
5.1.5. Modify the Name in Name Space
Replace the Autodesk.AutoCAD corresponding Name sapce to GrxCAD.

5.1.6. Compile Program

Click Visual Studio 2017 menu item [Build] » [Build solution], then you will get a “Hello.dll”

file at the corresponding directory.

Run GstarCAD and input "netload" at command line, there will a "Select .Net Assembly"

dialog box pops out, select the new generated ".dll" file and click Open button to load it.

12
6. VS2017 VB.NET Migration Process

6.1. Change Reference Files

6.1.1. Remove the Reference

Remove acad reference files, as shown below.

6.1.2. Add Reference

In VS 2017, find the Hello project you have been created on the solution explorer. Select

the Hello project and right click to select Add Reference. After the "Reference Manager"

dialog box pops out, click Browse button as shown below.

13
6.1.3. Choose and Add the Files
Find the GstarCADSDK installation path, for example, “C:\grxsdk\inc”. Select gmap.dll and

gmdb.dll files in “c:\grxsdk\inc-x86” and add them by clicking Add button（If you use

GstarCAD 64-bit version, please select GrxCAD.Interop.dll in inc-x64）

14
Remark：gmap.dll and gmdb.dll are necessary，GrxCAD.Interop.dll is alternative.

After adding the files, right click each added reference file, click Property at the context

menu, then the "Reference Properties" palette pops up, change the "Copy Local" property

from True to False. The following image shows how to change "Copy Local" property for

gmap.dll file. Please take it as reference to change gmdb.dll file's Copy Local property.

15
6.1.4. Change the Target Frame

In VS 2017, find the Hello project you have been created on the solution explorer. Right

click to select Properties. After the new page opens, please change the "Target

framework" to Framework 4.8 from the pull-down list in Application menu.

6.1.5. Modify the Name in Name Space

Replace the Autodesk.AutoCAD corresponding Name sapce to GrxCAD.

6.1.6. Compile Program

Click Visual Studio 2017 menu item [Build] » [Build solution], then you will get a “Hello.dll”

file at the corresponding directory.

Run GstarCAD and input "netload" at command line, there will a "Select .Net Assembly"
dialog box pops out, select the new generated ".dll" file and click Open button to load it.

6.2. Using

Code like “var mapping = new IdMapping()” need to add “using” function first.

For example “var mapping = new IdMapping()” in GstarCAD should be：

using( var mapping = new IdMapping())

16
{
...
}

6.3. ResultBuffer

Use ResultBuffer.ResbufObject to replace ResultBuffer.UnmanagedObject;

ResultBuffer.UnmanagedObject is the type of OdDbResbuf;

ResultBuffer.ResbufObject is the type of resbuf;

Use ResultBuffer.Create(IntPtr,bool) to replace ResultBuffer(IntPtr,bool)

6.4. Alternative method to import Unmanaged ARX Function

The alternative method to import unmanaged arx function acedCmd,acedCommand:

Use GrxCAD.EditorInput.Editor.Command(params object[]) to replace original

functions.

6.5. Alternative Method

Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput.Editor.TraceBoundary(Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometr
y.Point3d, bool) alternatvie method：
GrxCAD.EditorInput.Editor.

If TraceBoundary(Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometry.Point3d, bool) has not been provided，

you can use the following method to replace.
[CommandMethod("TESTCMD")]
public void TestCommand()
{
var db = Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument.Database;
var ed = Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument.Editor;

//new a DBObjectCollection for boundary set

DBObjectCollection objColl = new DBObjectCollection();
using (var tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction())
{
var curSpace = tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForRead) as
BlockTableRecord;
var drawOrderTable = tr.GetObject(curSpace.DrawOrderTableId,
OpenMode.ForRead) as DrawOrderTable;
ObjectIdCollection coll = drawOrderTable.GetFullDrawOrder(0);
ObjectId entLast = coll[coll.Count-1];

17
 //use "Y" or "N" whether or not to detect islands
//instead of "0,0" when using another seed point
ed.Command("-BOUNDARY", "A", "I", "Y", "", "0,0", "");

coll = drawOrderTable.GetFullDrawOrder(0);
int nIndex = coll.IndexOf(entLast);
for (int i = nIndex; i >= 0; --i)
{
coll.RemoveAt(i);
}
//clone the boundaries created by -BOUNDARY command to DBObjectCollection
foreach (ObjectId id in coll)
{
DBObject obj = tr.GetObject(id, OpenMode.ForRead) as DBObject;
DBObject tmp = (DBObject)obj.Clone();
objColl.Add(tmp);
}
//abort the transaction to avoid the boundaries created by -BOUNDARY command
posting to db
tr.Abort();
}

//this is a test code to post the cloned boundaries to current space

using (var tr = db.TransactionManager.StartTransaction())
{
var curSpace = tr.GetObject(db.CurrentSpaceId, OpenMode.ForWrite) as
BlockTableRecord;
foreach (DBObject obj in objColl)
{
curSpace.AppendEntity((Entity)obj);
tr.AddNewlyCreatedDBObject(obj, true);
}
tr.Commit();
}

//dispose the DBObjectCollection after used it,and dispose the item in it if

necessary,here we do
//not dispose the DBOjbect in DBObjectCollection because we post it to current space
before
objColl.Dispose();
}

18
6.6. Other Usages

6.6.1. Abtain GCAD Application Object under VB enveriment

After adding C:\grxsdk\inc-x86\gcax.tlb (if your GstarCAD is 64-bit, please choose the

64-bit corrosponding file) as reference, you can abtain GCAD Application object.

Imports GrxCAD.Runtime``

Imports GcadVbaLib

Public Class Class1

<CommandMethod("GetGcadApplication")>

Public Sub GetGcadApplication()

'Define abtain GcadApplication object, the object is null

Dim GCadApp As GcadApplication

' Abtain the object address through the process name.

GCadApp = GetObject(, "gcad.application")

'Minimize the abtained process window

GCadApp.WindowState = GcWindowState.acMin

End Sub

End Class

End Sub

End Class

19
6.6.2. C#.NET and VB.NET Name space Modifaction
 VB.NET：

The content after Imports，change Autodesk.AutoCAD to GrxCAD

 C#.NET：
The content after using，change Autodesk.AutoCAD to GrxCAD
 If use COM：
With VB.net, add Imports GcadVbaLib
With C#.net, add using GcadVbaLib
Delete Autodesk.AutoCAD.Interop.Common

For the COM object name in the code, such as AcadLWPolyline, please change the

prefix Acad to Gcad, for example AcadLWPolyline should be change to

GcadLWPolyline.

If some codes not sure, you can check from the object browser. For example

ACAD_COLOR, you can check from the browser whether there is GCAD_COLOR, if there

is, just replace it.

20
6.7. Replacement Sample

6.7.1. Namespace Replacement

AutoCAD GstarCAD
Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices GrxCAD.ApplicationServices

Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput GrxCAD.EditorInput

Autodesk.AutoCAD.GraphicsSystem GrxCAD.GraphicsSystem

Autodesk.AutoCAD.PlottingServices GrxCAD.PlottingServices

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Publishing GrxCAD.Publishing

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime GrxCAD.Runtime

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Windows GrxCAD.Windows

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Colors GrxCAD.Colors

Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices GrxCAD.DatabaseServices

Autodesk.AutoCAD.DatabaseServices.Filters GrxCAD.DatabaseServices.Filters

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Geometry GrxCAD.Geometry

Autodesk.AutoCAD.GraphicsInterface GrxCAD.GraphicsInterface

Autodesk.AutoCAD.LayerManager GrxCAD.LayerManager

6.7.2. Class Name and Property Name Replacement Sample

AutoCAD GstarCAD
Autodesk.AutoCAD.Interop.Common.ACAD_COLOR GcadVbaLib.GCAD_COLOR

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Interop.Common.AcadEntity GcadVbaLib.GcadEntity

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Interop.Common.AcSelect GcadVbaLib.GcSelect

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Interop.Common.AcadRasterImage GcadVbaLib.GcadRasterImage

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Interop.Common.AcadText GcadVbaLib.GcadText

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Interop.Common.AcadMText GcadVbaLib.GcadMText

Autodesk.AutoCAD.Interop.Common.AcWindowState GcadVbaLib.GcWindowState

21
7. Copyright

Copyright reserved: Xi’an Gstarsoft Co.,Ltd

Usage License: Allows copying, quote any part of this document. Changes of any part of

this document are forbidden without authorization. Please keep this statement when

copying and quoting it, otherwise it will be held liable.

* AutoCAD® is a product of Autodesk® Company which is one of the CAD software

solution providers. ARX is an abbreviated name of ObjectARX, which is AutoCAD®

Runtime eXtension, and C++ SDK provided by Autodesk®

22