AutoCad .net project using Visual Studio Code

Got it working with vscode and Acad2021. The example works with the following setup:

To get debugging working with full .net framework I followed this guide.

1. create a new project with: dotnet new classlib

2. change your csproj file to (Note: for different autocad versions different versions of the nuget packages will be needed):

   <Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk.WindowsDesktop">
       <PropertyGroup>
           <TargetFramework>net48</TargetFramework>
           <RootNamespace>ProjectName</RootNamespace>
           <PlatformTarget>x64</PlatformTarget>
           <DebugType>portable</DebugType>
           <UseWindowsForms>true</UseWindowsForms>
       </PropertyGroup>
       <ItemGroup>
           <PackageReference Include="AutoCAD.NET" Version="24.0.0"></PackageReference>
           <PackageReference Include="AutoCADCommands" Version="2020.0.0"></PackageReference>
       </ItemGroup>
   </Project>
   

3. set your launch.json to:

   {
       "version": "0.2.0",
       "configurations": [
           {
               "name": ".NET Core Attach",
               "type": "clr",
               "request": "attach",
               "processId": "${command:pickProcess}"
           },
       ]
   }
   

4. change the Class1.cs file to:

   using Autodesk.AutoCAD.ApplicationServices;
   using Autodesk.AutoCAD.EditorInput;
   using Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime;
   
   namespace AU.KO_WT_TestPlugin
   {
       public class Initialization : IExtensionApplication
       {
           [Autodesk.AutoCAD.Runtime.CommandMethod("MyFirstCommand")]
           public void cmdMyFirst()
           {
               Editor ed = Application.DocumentManager.MdiActiveDocument.Editor;
               ed.WriteMessage("\nI have created my first command.");
           }
           void IExtensionApplication.Initialize()
           {
           }
   
           void IExtensionApplication.Terminate()
           {
           }
       }
   }
   

5. run the command: dotnet build

6. open autocad

7. in autocad run the netload command and load your newly generated dll under PathToProject/bin/debug/net48/ProjectName.dll

8. back in vscode press F5 to start debugging

9. select the acad.exe process

10. set breakpoint in your c# code

11. in autocad call the command MyFirstCommand

12. debug away

Notes:

• as .net assemblies can't be unloaded in autocad after changing your code and recompiling it with dotnet build, it is necessary to restart autocad and netload the new assembly
• It should be possible to create a task that launches autocad and netloads the assembly through a script. I haven't found time to explore that possibility