connection to sql database

[sdickson]

my directive this year is to take all floor plans, have them automatically update [office occupant first name & last name, phone number, department assignment] from a SQL database specifically being setup for the AutoCAD drawings to access. I've worked on drawings other places where all this has already been set up and the database existed on the same workstation.

couple of notes:
the database is on a server in another building.
nothing has been set up within the drawings for this information yet. these are legacy drawings for five cities that I've lovingly inherited.

suggestions?

[RobertB]

Do a lot of reasearch on Database Connectivity. Read up on AutoCAD's DBConnect feature. If you plan on writing code, get Scott McFarlane's Database Connectivity book (outdated, but an excellent starting point). Try the samples in AutoCAD's sample folders.

[sdickson]

Thanks for the help. Now they're wanting to avoid having databases within the system that are not of absolute necessity and are wanting to find out if AutoCAD will connect and pull from Active Directory. basically, taking out the middleman.

thoughts?

[Eric Wing]

Thanks for the help. Now they're wanting to avoid having databases within the system that are not of absolute necessity and are wanting to find out if AutoCAD will connect and pull from Active Directory. basically, taking out the middleman.

thoughts?

There is an ATP Class for August that addresses data links from a DB source. It's not exactly what you are asking for, but does explore some options.