CompuServe Messages

Gary > I am developing a Windows application in which I need to display DXF > files. Is there code and/or documentation available to get me started? 1. Documentation: There are two primary sources for the DXF file format specification: – The AutoCAD software manuals (DXF chapter of the customization guide): This text is very compressed and requires a detailed knowledge of AutoCAD internals. The complete chapter is available for download as DXFDOC.EXE from the libraries of the ACAD forum. – The book "DXF standard" (which I co-wrote): This is a >500 page hardcover book containing not only the complete specification of each and every DXF structure (while not requiring AutoCAD knowledge), but also hints and rules for working with DXF files. The text (approved and authorised by the DXF creator Autodesk, Inc.) is written for both end users and converter programmers and uses a textual, tabular, graphical, and formal description on all DXF entities. The book comes with a disk full of DXF tools (viewer, manipulator, ASCII-binary converter, release converters, complete test suite a.s.o.) While most of the book is multilingual, the basic text is written in german language. Ordering information as well as an english language summary and table of contents is available for download as DXFBK.TXT from the libraries of the ACAD forum. 2. Code There are several companies that sell routines for working with DXF files. Pretty basic ones are available in the ACAD forum (look for SDK) and on the companion disk to the book noted above. Commercial versions are available from Sirlin Corp. (603) 437-0737, SoftSource (206) 676-0989 and others. Dietmar