Developer Notes

Technical reference documentation for ConstructiVision developers.

• File Types Dictionary
  • .$$$
  • .AC$
  • .ARX
  • .BAK
  • .BHF
  • .BIN
  • .BK1
  • .BMP
  • .CAB
  • .CIF
  • .CTB
  • .CUI
  • .DAT
  • .DCL
  • .DCR
  • .DEFAULT
  • .DLL
  • .DWG
  • .DWL
  • .EX_
  • .EXE
  • .FAS
  • .GID
  • .HDR
  • .HLP
  • .INF
  • .INI
  • .INS
  • .JPG / .JPEG
  • .LID
  • .LNK
  • .LSP
  • .MKP
  • .MNC
  • .MNR
  • .MNS
  • .MNU
  • .PDF
  • .PNL
  • .PRJ / .PRV
  • .REG
  • .RUL
  • .SCR
  • .SHX
  • .TAG
  • .TXT
  • .VLX
  • .XDV
  • .ZIP
  • Summary Tables
• AutoLISP Compilation Architecture
  • The Three File Formats
  • Development Workflow — VS Code to Alpha VMs
  • The Compilation Pipeline (Beta/Production Only)
  • The Project Files
  • Supporting Files
  • Recompilation for Beta / Production Deployment
  • Autodesk App Store Distribution
  • Quick Reference: Alpha vs. Beta vs. Production
  • Related Documentation
• Menu System Architecture
  • The 6-File Menu Family
  • Menu Evolution: v3.60 → v11
  • The progcont Dispatch Table
  • csvmenu.lsp — The Menu Loader
  • csv.cui — The XML Menu (AutoCAD 2006+)
  • Menu Update Procedure
  • Development Workflow: Menu Changes on Alpha VMs
  • Sync Status: MNU vs CUI
  • Related Documentation
• File Creators Dictionary
  • 7-Zip
  • AutoCAD
  • AutoCAD CUI Editor
  • AutoCAD dbConnect
  • AutoCAD Migration Utility
  • AutoCAD Plot Style Manager
  • AutoCAD Tool Palettes
  • Autodesk Help Compiler
  • Cameras / Digital Imaging Devices
  • COMPRESS.EXE
  • ConstructiVision
  • Delphi / Embarcadero RAD Studio
  • Help Workshop (HCW.EXE)
  • Image Editors (Generic)
  • InstallShield
  • InstallShield IDE
  • Macromedia Director
  • MAKECAB.EXE
  • Microsoft Paint
  • ObjectARX SDK
  • REGEDIT
  • Text Editors (Generic)
  • Visual C++ / Visual Studio
  • Visual LISP IDE
  • Windows Explorer
  • WinZip
  • WiX Toolset
  • Summary Tables
• File Consumers Dictionary
  • 7-Zip
  • Adobe Acrobat / PDF Readers
  • AutoCAD
  • AutoCAD Help System
  • AutoCAD LISP Engine
  • AutoCAD Menu System
  • AutoCAD Plotting System
  • ConstructiVision
  • DWG Viewers
  • EXPAND.EXE
  • Image Viewers
  • InstallShield Runtime
  • PDF Readers
  • Recovery Processes
  • REGEDIT / Windows Registry
  • Shockwave Player
  • Unshield
  • Windows
  • Windows Explorer
  • Windows Help (WinHelp / WINHLP32.EXE)
  • Windows Installer (MSI)
  • Windows Setup / Device Installation
  • WinZip
  • Summary Tables
• Developer Environment Setup
  • Quick Start: Minimum Viable Environment
  • Primary Development Environment (Windows 10/11)
  • Legacy Development Environment (Virtual Machine)
  • Installer Analysis & Creation
  • ARX Binary Analysis
  • Tool-Specific Setup Guides
  • Environment Variables Reference
  • Directory Structure Recommendation
  • Troubleshooting
  • Summary: What You Need
• VLX Compilation & Verification Guide
  • Prerequisites
  • Compilation Methods
  • Verification Methods
  • Source File Inventory
  • Troubleshooting
  • Decompilation Reality Check
  • Recommended Workflow
  • Related Documentation
• AutoCAD Web Migration Guide
  • Compatibility Matrix
  • Migration Paths
  • Step 1: Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) Membership
  • Step 2: Autodesk Platform Services (APS) Account
  • Step 3: Autodesk App Store Account
  • Step 4: Code Signing Certificate
  • Step 5: Convert AutoLISP to JavaScript (Web)
  • Step 6: Design Automation (Server-Side)
  • Step 7: App Store Submission
  • Timeline Estimate
  • Cost Summary
  • Decision Matrix: Desktop vs Web vs Design Automation
  • Related Documentation

Contents

File Types Dictionary

Comprehensive reference of all file extensions found in ConstructiVision v3.60 and v7.0 source distributions, including:

• Purpose and usage

• Programming language / format

• Creation and consumption tools

• Deprecation status (2026)

• Windows XP vs modern security considerations

• Compatibility notes

Compilation Architecture

The three-tier AutoLISP compilation pipeline (.lsp → .fas → .vlx):

• Source, intermediate, and distributable formats explained

• How csv.lsp detects VLX vs source loading mode

• Project files (CSV.PRJ, CSV.MKP) and build configuration

• Step-by-step recompilation instructions for deployment

• Autodesk App Store .bundle format and submission requirements

Menu System Architecture

The 6-file menu family (MNU/MNS/MNC/MNR/CUI + csvmenu.lsp) and how to update them:

• Which file is “master” for which AutoCAD version

• v3.60 → v11 menu evolution (7 items → 38 macros)

• The progcont dispatch table (menu UID → integer → dialog)

• Step-by-step menu update procedures for all scenarios

• csv.cui XML structure and CUI ↔ MNU sync status

• Development workflow for menu changes on alpha VMs

Creators Dictionary

Software and tools that create files used by ConstructiVision:

• AutoCAD and related tools

• Visual Studio and compilers

• InstallShield

• Text editors

• Deprecated tools (Help Workshop, Macromedia Director)

Consumers Dictionary

Software and tools that consume (read, process, execute) ConstructiVision files:

• AutoCAD components (LISP engine, menu system, plotting)

• Windows system components

• Archive extractors

• Discontinued players (Shockwave, WinHelp)

Developer Environment Setup

Complete guide to setting up a development environment:

• Modern Windows 10/11 setup (AutoCAD, VS Code, Visual Studio)

• Legacy Windows XP VM for deprecated tools

• Tool-specific guides (LISP, ARX, DCL, menus)

• Troubleshooting common issues

VLX Compilation & Verification

How to compile AutoLISP source to VLX and verify against originals:

• Visual LISP IDE compilation methods

• Batch compilation scripts

• Hash vs function-level verification

• Gap analysis (source files vs VLX modules)

• Why decompilation isn’t practical

AutoCAD Web Migration

How to migrate ConstructiVision from desktop to web/cloud:

• AutoLISP is desktop-only (not compatible with AutoCAD Web)

• Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) registration

• Autodesk Platform Services (APS/Forge) setup

• Code signing certificates for App Store

• App Store publisher account and submission

• Converting LISP to JavaScript or .NET

• Design Automation for server-side processing

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Status: Reference Documentation | Updated: 2026-01-21