As a developer working on progeCAD, a .DWG-based CAD solution and member of the broader CAD ecosystem, I’m always watching advances in competitive platforms — especially those that touch on customization and automation. One of the most exciting developments in the recent IntelliCAD 14 release is the introduction of modern Visual LISP development support via the VLISP command, which integrates directly with Visual Studio Code.
From Script Editing to Full Debugging
AutoLISP has been a backbone of custom automation in CAD for decades, empowering users to write small but powerful routines to eliminate repetitive work and extend core functionality. Traditionally, AutoLISP development in IntelliCAD — like in many DWG-based CAD tools — lacked a truly modern developer experience. That’s changed with IntelliCAD 14.
With the new VLISP command, IntelliCAD now:
- Launches a LISP debugging session inside Visual Studio Code
- Lets you step through AutoLISP code with breakpoints
- Supports inspecting variable values and watch expressions
- Enables live reloading of code without restarting the CAD session
This brings a professional IDE-style experience to Lisp development in IntelliCAD — something that developers have long wished for and that aligns with workflows we see in other modern development environments.
Modern Tools = Faster, Better Development
Gone are the days of relying on basic text editors or console-style debugging. By leveraging Visual Studio Code — a free, cross-platform editor with a rich ecosystem of extensions — IntelliCAD lets developers enjoy features like syntax highlighting, contextual code completion, and integrated Git support even before you launch the debugger.
From our standpoint at progeCAD, this move reflects how CAD development tools are finally catching up to mainstream coding practices. It underscores a broader shift: CAD developers aren’t just CAD users anymore — they’re software creators who expect modern IDE convenience.
AI Isn’t Replacing Developers — It’s Jump-Starting Them
An interesting part of IntelliCAD’s messaging around VLISP is how they frame the role of AI assistance. In their walkthrough example, the developer uses ChatGPT to generate a first draft of a Lisp routine, then refines that code in VS Code using the debugger. The message is clear:
AI is your accelerator — not your replacement.
From the progeCAD developer perspective, this rings true. AI tools can help reduce boilerplate and generate ideas quickly, but correctness, efficiency, and performance still come from hands-on debugging and iterative testing. The new VLISP workflow supports exactly that.
Why This Matters for the CAD Ecosystem
IntelliCAD’s platform is used by a wide variety of third-party CAD products, much like our own progeCAD. What this update signifies is a maturing of Lisp development support across DWG-compatible engines — leveling the playing field with platforms that historically had more polished development tooling.
For end users and developers alike, that means:
✔ You can take your Lisp skills — and your existing code — into IntelliCAD with confidence.
✔ Debugging is no longer an afterthought — it’s part of a real development workflow.
✔ Tooling that used to be siloed or outdated has a modern, extensible home in VS Code.
These enhancements ultimately lower the barrier to experimenting with Lisp automation — growing the ecosystem of solutions and custom tools that benefit all CAD professionals.
Looking Forward
At progeCAD, we’re always listening to what developers want: faster iteration, better tooling, and fewer roadblocks between idea and implementation. IntelliCAD’s introduction of VLISP in Visual Studio Code is a notable leap forward in the DWG-engine space, one that reinforces the importance of modern developer experiences in CAD products.
As we evaluate such advancements for our own roadmap, the focus remains the same:
👉 Empower developers to build smarter tools.
👉 Give users the freedom to automate and customize confidently.
👉 And continuously raise the bar for what “CAD developer experience” means.
Stay tuned — This will be coming soon to progeCAD… the future of CAD development is getting more capable, flexible, and developer-friendly every year.