for anyone who has autocad

[ae_jester]

This question is for any of you have autocad or know anything about it.

I do not have autocad on this computer, yet I have the fun (sarcastic) task of writing a program that will analyze all the objects in a autocad file and plugging this information into a database.

I've heard that with many graphics programs there is a seperate file (one that might have to be generated through a menu option?) that gives the definition, fields, field size and type of every inventory item. Is this true in autocad? If so what does the file look like? Could anyone send me one of these files so I could see what kinds of parsing I would have to do? I'm totally lost right now :-)

My email is clint_olsen@yahoo.com if anyone is able to send anything.

Thanx

[Kevin Swanson]

The version of AutoCAD is important. The older versions of AutoCAD use AutoLISP programming language that can do this. I think that the newer versions have VBA.
All versions of AutoCAD will have the ability to export a DXF file. The DXF file is a text file that uses a standard format that should be pretty easy to read, but I am not sure if it will include the information you are looking for.

I haven't worked with AutoCAD for about 3 years so I am not familiar with the newer versions.

[PunchyTheClown]

The DXF file is the one you need. The DXF created by AutoCAD 2000 is a bit different from the previous AutoCAD's. I'd go with an earlier version if you can, although they're all pretty easy to pick apart.

[designer]

If you want to learn about AutoCAD and Visual Basic check out the OpenDWG Alliance (web site is www.opendwg.org) and also www.vbdesign.net

[markman]

http://www.wotsit.org/

search for DXF