AutoCAD® software provides a flexible development platform for specialized design and drafting applications. Its open architecture enables you to customize AutoCAD to suit your unique purposes. Examples include Autodesk’s industry-specific design software and thousands of add-on applications from members of the Autodesk® Developer Network.

Customize and extend AutoCAD and AutoCAD-based products with direct access to AutoCAD database structures, the graphics system, and native command definition. The ObjectARX® programming environment provides object-oriented C++, C# and VB .NET application programming interfaces for developers to use, customize, and extend AutoCAD software and AutoCAD-based products like AutoCAD® Architecture, AutoCAD® Mechanical, and AutoCAD® Land Desktop software.

.NET Customize and extend AutoCAD and AutoCAD-based products with direct access to AutoCAD database structures, native command definition and more, using any .NET supporting language. Get the power of ObjectARX with the ease of learning and use of Microsoft® Visual Basic® (VB). Learn how to use AutoCAD's .NET interface in the "managed wrapper classes" chapter in the ObjectARX for AutoCAD 2008 help files.

Using the ActiveX® (COM Automation) interface in AutoCAD software, you can build applications with a variety of programming technologies, including Microsoft® Visual C++®, Microsoft® Visual Basic® for Applications (VBA), and Microsoft® Visual Basic® (VB).

• Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications

The combination of the powerful ActiveX® Automation object model in AutoCAD® and Microsoft® Visual Basic® for Applications (VBA) presents a compelling framework for customizing the AutoCAD software program.