AutoCad ARX File

[mschulz]

Does AutoPlant have an Object ARX file that one can use in order to view the AutoPlant objects in AutoCad. This way if I am colaborating with a fellow Cad Detailer he is creating the piping elements in AutoPlant and then saves the file, then I go to my machine and open the file in AutoCad but I do not have AutoPlant so I am not able to view the elements that my partner has detailed. Is there a way of viewing those elements?

[dave]

I think you are talking about the object enabler? Ask your partner to send you that exe, you will then be able to view the models in acad.

It's called apoe08060106en.exe

[mschulz]

Question 2: Do I really need to distribute the object enablers?

Answer: The simple answer to this is "No" you do not have to distribute the object enabler with the drawing. To do this though, the drawing has to be produced with the AutoCAD variable"PROXYGRAPHICS" set to 1 – ie enabled. This effectively saves a vectorised representation of the objects into the drawing so that it can be viewed.

This method of distribution is fine if the drawing is simply required for viewing, plotting and sending to other non-ARX enabled applications or even early versions of AutoCAD like R12 and LT. However if editing and possibly round trip to update the MX model is required then the object enabler should really be distributed.

And it works fine for our purpose. Interesting eh?

[dave]

so the bottom line is that autoplant 3d models CAN be viewed by installations of Autocad without the object enabler. As of today this is a hot button at the company as our client doesn't wish to install OE because he is afraid of conflicts with he existing software. Great post, I will test this out. thanks!

[Sameer]

Dave,

Can we set this variable "PROXYGRAPHICS" set to 1" for working autoplant models also?

Sameer,