BRX C++ API

Pro or higher

The BRX C/C++ API is available for all supported product architectures and operating systems. Some features and capabilities are limited or unavailable on some operating systems. (see BRX C/C++ API on Linux/Mac). A separate standalone BRX SDK contains C++ header and libraries that are required for building BRX C/C++ plugins.

Compiling BRX applications

BRX modules, typically configured as unmanaged C++ extension DLLs, need to be compiled with the same platform toolset used for the target version of BricsCAD. This information and other details are provided in the BRX SDK itself:

• PortingManual.txt: platform toolset, changes, ARX porting instructions, etc.
• KnownDifferences.txt: subtle differences and how to work around them
• C++ OPM API.txt: an optional C++ alternative for the COM-based OPM API
• docs subfolder: a reference guide for all supported BRX functions
• samples subfolder: ARX/BRX based sample applications

Cross platform

The BRX C++ API is source code compatible with ObjectARX, the standard C++ interface of AutoCAD. Plugin developers can use the same source code files to build separate binary modules targeting each CAD platform:

• compile and link with ObjectARX to run on AutoCAD
• compile and link the same source code with BRX to run on BricsCAD.

Note that it is not possible to load the same binary module on multiple platforms. A module compiled with ObjectARX cannot load in BricsCAD, and a module compiled with BRX cannot load in AutoCAD.

BRX SDK

The BRX SDK consists of:

• a set of code compatible C++ headers
• the necessary .lib files to link against
• documentation (reference guide, porting manual)
• sample applications

The BRX SDK is not installed with BricsCAD. The SDK is distributed as a separate download. Access to the BRX SDK is available free of charge to registered plugin application developers. Visit the Bricsys Developer Portal to learn more.