I have the source code for several MDL programs that have been given to me. Is it possible to compile these programs into .ma files without the SDK? If it is possible then does anyone have instructions on how to accomplish this?
Jan, thank you for your response.
One last question:
For MicroStation v8i ss4, is it possible to write and compile programs written in C# for MicroStation without the SDK? Or is the MicroStation SDK required for that too?
Brenden OReilly said:is it possible to write and compile programs written in C# for MicroStation without the SDK?
Yes, it is. It's the same for V8i and CE, that NET API is delivered with MicroStation installation, because in fact, the assemblies are integral parts of MicroStation itself. But there are some situations, when even for NET development, SDK is required or helpful at least.
You should be aware you cannot compare MDL / C++ API and NET API in V8i, because NET is not "real NET", but only Interop library around COM/VBA object model (plus WinForms are available, which is not the case of VBA). The benefit of this situation is that VBA documentation and examples can be used, on the other hand API is quite limited and in certain situations to call MDL through P/Invoke is necessary (which is where SDK doc helps).
Honestly, why this zigzagging? Unfortunately SDK is not available freely, but BDN membership for in-house development is done through free extension of SELECT / OpenAccess agreement. Plus, if there is MDL source code available, to compile it using SDK should be quite simple, they can be migrated to native API alternatively, but when C# will be used, it's about to write it completely from scratch.
With regards,
Jan
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