I have found that the original task of exporting shapefiles with property sets can be done in a relatively simple way using a Python script to handle standard AutoCAD outputs. My method requires the user to MAPEXPORT the needed items (I use polylines) and then EXPORTPROPERTYDATA to export the property set information. The Python script is then executed (user just has to double-click) and it queries the mdb file created for the property sets and adds the fields to the previously exported shapefiles. You need to be sure to include the EHANDLE property in the MAPEXPORT and I have found that saving an export profile is the easiest way to maintain consistency and dumb things down so users are easier to train on the process.