AutoCAD .NET development cheatsheet

PackageContents.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<!--
  This file is used to define the autoloader. The folder structure is shown as follow:
  Sample.bundle
  |- Contents
     |- Sample.dll and its dependencies and reference
     |- Resources
        |- CUIFORAUTOCADMAP3D.cuix
        |- CUIFORAUTOCAD.cuix
  
  The tag <RuntimeRequirements> is inserted to specify the loading environment of partial customization, in case of some ribbons can only applicable for some AutoDesk vertical softwares.
  The parameter PLATFORM specifies which vertical programs is applicable, the following items are the options.
  
  ACADE - AutoCAD Electrical
  ACADM - AutoCAD Mechanical
  ACLT - AutoCAD LT
  ADT - Architectural Desktop
  AIP - Inventor Professional
  AIPRS - Inventor Professional for Routed Systems
  AIPSIM - Inventor Professional for Simulation
  AIS - Inventor Series
  AOEM - AutoCAD OEM
  AutoCAD - AutoCAD
  AutoCAD* - All AutoCAD-based products
  Civil - Autodesk Civil
  Civil3D - Autodesk Civil 3D
  LDT - Land Desktop
  Map - AutoCAD Map 3D
  MEP - AutoCAD MEP
  Plant3D - AutoCAD Plant 3D
  PNID - AutoCAD P & ID - 2D
-->
<ApplicationPackage SchemaVersion="1.0" AppVersion="1.0"
    ProductCode="{1A2B3C4D-5E6F-7A8B-9C0D-3F6399985C6A}"
	Author="Tony Ngan"
     Name="A sample application"
	Description="Demo use"
>

<RuntimeRequirements
    OS="Win64"
    Platform="AutoCAD*"
    SeriesMin="R20"
    SeriesMax="R20"
/>

<Components>
  <ComponentEntry
     ModuleName="./Contents/Sample.dll"
	AppName="Sample" 
	AppDescription="" 
	LoadOnAutoCADStartup="True"
  />
  <ComponentEntry
     AppName="Sample"
	Version="1.0.0"
	ModuleName="./Contents/Resources/CUIFORAUTOCADMAP3D.cuix" 
  >
	<RuntimeRequirements
	     OS="Win64"
	     Platform="Map"
	     SeriesMin="R20"
	     SeriesMax="R20"
	/>
  </ComponentEntry>
  
  <ComponentEntry
     AppName="Sample"
     Version="1.0.0"
     ModuleName="./Contents/Resources/CUIFORAUTOCAD.cuix" 
  >
	<RuntimeRequirements
	     OS="Win64"
	     Platform="AutoCAD"
	     SeriesMin="R20"
	     SeriesMax="R20"
	/>
  </ComponentEntry>
</Components>

</ApplicationPackage>

VersionCheckMsi

Simplify the plug-in installation by making a classic .msi 
Please follow the following link to build up 
http://through-the-interface.typepad.com/through_the_interface/2010/09/building-an-installer-part-1.html 
http://through-the-interface.typepad.com/through_the_interface/2010/09/building-an-installer-part-2.html 
http://through-the-interface.typepad.com/through_the_interface/2010/09/building-an-installer-part-3.html

However, that's not enough since it only checks the most recent version of AutoCAD or its vertical. Therefore, we have to modify something.

1. From the setup project, right click and select view -> launch conditions
2. In the Search Target Machine folder, right click and select Add Registry Check Create the following items as you need.

     AutoCAD version 
     Name: AutoCAD version 
     Property: ACADSERIALNUM 
     RegKey: SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R20.0\ACAD-E001 
     Root: vsdrrHKCU 
     Value: ACADSERIALNUMBER

    Map3D version 
    Name: Map3D version 
    Property: ACADM3DSERIALNUM 
    RegKey: SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R20.0\ACAD-E002 
    Root: vsdrrHKCU 
    Value: ACADSERIALNUMBER

3. In the Launch Conditions, right click and Add Launch Condition 

    Name: AutoCAD & Map3D Version Check 
    Condition: ACADSERIALNUM != "" || ACADM3DSERIALNUM != "" 
    RegKey: SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R20.0\ACAD-E002 
    InstallUrl: vsdrrHKCU 
    Message: Error

4. Rebuild the setup project

FYI: http://adndevblog.typepad.com/autocad/2013/08/registry-values-for-productid-and-localeid-for-autocad.html