Using ADS applications

To write AutoCAD applications in C or C++, Autodesk® uses the ADS (AutoCAD Development System). This is an API (applications programming interface) that provides a library to access AutoCAD-specific functions and drawing data.

The equivalent in IntelliCAD is called SDS™, the Solutions Development System™. SDS is a C/C++ language interface compatible with the ADS interface in AutoCAD. Like scripts and AutoLISP, you can run your existing ADS applications in IntelliCAD. Simply recompile your source code using the SDS libraries provided on the IntelliCAD CD-ROM, or if you use an AutoCAD program written by a third-party vendor, contact that vendor for the IntelliCAD version.

IntelliCAD provides the Sds.H file, which redefines ADS function names to their SDS equivalents.

SDS supports the AutoCAD dialog control language (a DCL file is used by ADS to define the look of a dialog box). You can use all DCL files unmodified within SDS.

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SDS functions with no ADS equivalent

Understanding ADS compatibility

SDS functions with no ADS equivalent

About working with other programs

Dragging IntelliCAD drawings into other programs

Programming in IntelliCAD

Programming IntelliCAD

Using data from IntelliCAD in other programs

Using data from other programs in IntelliCAD drawings

Working with other data and programs