Is there a possibility to use a .NET assembly in a non-CLR-Program?

Question

I'm developing a plugin for 3DsMax. So it is non-CLR C++. My question is, whether there is a possibility to use a .NET assembly within this plugin?

Thank you for your answers

Regards Nem.

Answer 1

Yes, however you will need to host the CLR within your application.

This is how IIS hosts ASP.NET websites, and how SQLServer allows for CLR functions etc.

Take a look at the CLR hosting API here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/cc163567.aspx

Answer 2

You can certainly do it through COM-interop.

You can attribute a .NET assembly as exposing a COM interface, which can then be accessed by any native process that can use COM services.