Bricsys today released its all-new BRX SDK (software development kit). Independent developers can port their ARX-based applications to Bricscad V9 simply by recompiling their source code. This enables applications to run on two different DWG platforms using the same source code.

Large numbers of DWG-based application developers no longer wish to depend on a single software vendor for their livelihood. DWG is the standard drawing format used by the CAD industry, and consequently the related ARX API (application development interface) is the most-used API for CAD applications.

Bricsys based their BRX SDK on Open Design Alliance's DRX SDK, and then extended its code compatibility. This guarantees easy maintenance and enhanced vendor independence. Each time an application is ported to BRX, it multiplies the power of the Bricsys platform.

About BRX

Bricscad is the flagship CAD product of Bricsys, and is increasingly becoming the preferred DWG platform for application developers. Last year's Bricscad V8 introduced new engines for LISP and COM (common object model). Since then, there has been a growing demand from application developers to make porting to the Bricscad platform easier.

BRX is the answer. It is source code compatible with ARX 2007 and higher. Although it is not binary-compatible, Bricscad V9 requires only a single recompilation of the source code to run binary files.

BRX SDK completes the set of Bricsys API's, and now allows the porting of any DWG-based application, whether COM, LISP, Diesel, CUI, ADS, or ARX.

"This is a very important step in offering choice and independence to the DWG community" says Erik De Keyser, CEO of Bricsys. "Many application developers are looking for alternatives. Large application developers have found the way through Bricscad V9. Bricsys actively helps to distribute Bricscad-based applications”.

"The combination of Bricscad V9 and the BRX SDK is important also for our users," Mr De Keyser continued. "They can expect a growing number of applications, regionally and internationally."

In particular, regional applications are crucial in keeping diversity among engineering solutions. This diversity contributes to a more open market and to increasing interoperability, which is beneficial for the end user and the application market.

The BRX Test Environment

Bricsys developed an extended test suite to provide a high level of quality assurance. The quality of the BRX SDK is ensured by a huge set of unit tests, to date amounting to 1,000 tests and 10,000 asserts. The test suite checks success and error conditions for all supported functions. The system logs provide protection for module upgrades, such as ODA's DWGDirect and the Bricscad platform.

"We were extremely careful in the development of the BRX SDK," notes Luc De Batselier, chief technical officer at Bricsys. "Some 75% of our development time was spent on writing the BRX test environment. In this way we guarantee application developers the highest possible level of quality.”

"And we did not hold back when it came to advanced topics such as reactors, custom objects, the multiple document interface, transactions, and jig support," explains Mr. De Batselier. "We want to maximize the ease-of-use for developers, and help them optimize the maintenance of their code on the short and longer term."

About Bricsys

Bricsys is a global provider of engineering software through its network of 70+ offices on four continents. The Bricsys product portfolio includes extended SaaS services together with a powerful DWG-alternative CAD platform that enables DWG-based applications to serve the growing markets of GIS, AEC, mechanical CAD, and civil engineering. A growing number of application developers are finding their way to the SaaS (software as a service) and CAD platforms. Bricsys products are available in 14 languages, with more languages in development.

In addition to its technological strength, Bricsys delivers high quality support to every user, every developer, every day, and everywhere. As leaders in their fields, Bricsys customers require zero downtime support. Bricsys eliminates barriers between its technical team and the user, because wherever they are on the globe, our customers can communicate their support requests directly to the Bricsys support team.

Bricsys publishes release and update reports about its products every month, thereby ensuring transparency about the status and development of its software products. 

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