Hi Nick,
[quote user="Nick Carter"] if there is a recommended path to take to access the ProStructures .Net API from within a Native MDL application?[/quote]
It's not about ProStructures NET API and native C++ code, but your question is quite general: How to cross borders between native and managed code. It's quite complex topic and depending on a particular requirements and conditions, different solution(s) can be used. C++/CLI mentioned by Jon already is in my opinion the best tool for many situations.
[quote user="Nick Carter"]Conversely would it be easier to try and access the Native MDL functionality from within a ProStructures addin?[/quote]
I don't know ProStructures, but I assume it runs on top of MicroStation? If it's correct, in my opinion it's easier to create ProStructure addin and to access MicroStation native API where it's necessary. Such project will consist from:
- ProStructure addin assembly (including command table)
- Necessary GUI implemented using WinForms or WPF, if required
- C++/CLI wrappers around native MicroStation API
- Native code accessing MDL and MicroStationAPI
How exactly native and C++/CLI code will be implemented depends mostly on your requirements. One approach is to access native C/C++ API directly from C++/CLI, another approach is to create solely native dll or at least source files and to use C++/CLI as pure wrappers around native C++ classes.
With regards,
Jan