Difference between revisions of "HOWTO:Install Plugins"

Latest revision as of 13:35, 19 February 2013

Before You Start

WireCAD plugins extend the capabilities of WireCAD.
They come in two flavors:

1. Auto-Discovering (AD); typically used to create GUI elements. For example the Favorites tool panel is an Auto-Discovered plugin. These are distinguished by naming convention. The file name must end with *.plugin.dll. These files MUST reside in the c:\program files\WireCAD[6][7]\bin folder.
2. Manifested. These plugins require two files:
   1. The plugin assembly file. The assembly file is typically a dll; however, in some circumstances may be an exe.
   2. The plugin manifest file which has a .wpi extension. The manifest describes the plugin, where to find it, the name of the file, and how to call it from the WireCAD command line. In addition, the manifest MAY specify a menu item(button).

Typical Installation for Plugins with Manifests

Assumptions:

1. You received a zip folder with a dll file AND a wpi file enclosed

Steps:

1. Unzip the file to gain access to the files.
2. Move the *.dll file to the c:\program files\WireCAD[6][7]\bin folder.
3. Move the *.wpi file to the c:\program files\WireCAD[6][7]\bin\plugins folder.
4. Relaunch WireCAD[6][7].

Typical Installation for Auto-Discovering(AD) Plugins

Assumptions:

1. You received a zip folder with a dll file enclosed.

Steps:

1. Unzip the file to gain access to the *.Plugin.dll file
2. Move the *.Plugin.dll file to the c:\program files\WireCAD[6][7]\bin
3. Relaunch WireCAD[6][7]