TheSwamp
Code Red => .NET => Topic started by: nobody on June 26, 2013, 01:16:07 AM
-
Excited to say I am making my first attempt to submit an app to exchange... it's a lame app I created just to test the submittal process / waters... I'm positive it will be a disaster and they will tear apart my code but the bundle process was fun :) stay tuned for tears
Just for kicks and giggles here's a preview :)
-
Trees and umbrellas?
Margaritas and bellinis?
Did you use any licensing or obfuscation?
-
That's right... an app for to go with the beer :) lol
Negative... open source.. free... no obsoconfusion :) Any noob could duplicate it with very little effort... it really is lame lol... but I needed to learn the process for bundling and feedback for more complicated chores :) of course I got a long ways to match up with all you pros ;) still totally excited to even try
-
How about outlining the things you learnt during the process ...
-
Congrats! I'm definitely interested in what you've learned through the process. I'll be going down that road soon.
-
Great suggestion Kerry! 8-)
Call me Guinea, as in pig... Still learning but I'll keep people informed here for those who want to risk the adventure, and hope others will too :)
These are the things I learned with the submittal so far:
- I submitted a C#.Net app, but autolisps can easily be packaged to sale in exchange :) I love that!!
- Need paypal account. This is so if people purchase your product it can be processed. I had to add my paypal email even though my app was free.
- Plugins have to work with the current version of the product they are intended for, and the version before it (Civil 3d 2014 and 2013 for example). - I read this on a forum but just verified this isn't the case... see Products and Types here: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=20149725#producttypes (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=20149725#producttypes)
- The application for submittal was super simple
- I uploaded a .zip file of my source but the first thing asked for was for the package to be provided in a .bundle format. I'll outline that below.
- They requested that the bundle include a partial CUI, which they sent me a link to learn how to make one here:
http://download.autodesk.com/media/adn/DevTV_Creating_a_Partial_CUI/DevTV_Creating_a_Partial_CUI.html (http://download.autodesk.com/media/adn/DevTV_Creating_a_Partial_CUI/DevTV_Creating_a_Partial_CUI.html)
About the .bundle file folder:
Turns out .bundle is just a file folder, renamed to add .bundle at the end. Autodesk products are built to find the .bundle file and read a .xml file inside pointing to the various program contents provided in the file (which format varies but is easy to modify). The format of the .xml file can be seen here:
http://exchange.autodesk.com/autocad/enu/online-help/browse#WS73099cc142f4875533992bfb12ce8a5f915-7e45.htm (http://exchange.autodesk.com/autocad/enu/online-help/browse#WS73099cc142f4875533992bfb12ce8a5f915-7e45.htm)
Inside the bundle file includes the xml, our program (mine was a .dll), a .html help file we create for our program, and any additional resources needed to use the program. I found an awesome suggestion from Kean (who so kindly provides so much of his genious online), every time we download a plugin the .bundle is provided with that plugin. He recommended simply copying that package and modifying the contents with our own. I started with Giles Osnap Plugin (Thank you Giles if you read this!) but it had much more than I needed... I found I could simplify the xml file since I only had a CUI, help file, and .dll based on the link I provided above.
Last, it's super easy to test the .bundle file :) All you have to do is place it in the same directory other plugins are stored that you downloaded... simply do a search on your computer for .bundle, and presto! there you should place it. If it loads successfully, you will see a message pop up in your product saying so, and under plugins you'll find the partial CUI you created with your fancy icon and run your app as it should.
Last, a friend reviewed my file and said they wont force me but they like to structure their .bundle folders in a specific format (with a Contents subfolder, and a Resources Subfolder) as well a format for the helpfile .html file they request be included with the app. I've asked for that information and will post it asap.
Here is the page to submit your plugins:
http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/en/Publisher/Description?productline=ACD (http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/en/Publisher/Description?productline=ACD)
Here is the basic direction to fill out the application if needed:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=20149658 (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=20149658)
Hope this helps :)
Modified to include the preferred .bundle file folder structure:
AppName.bundle
Contents
-PackageContents.xml
Help
-Help File
Images
-Help file images
Resources
en-US
-CUI file
-Here is where the blocks and such should be
Windows
2013
Win32
-DLL File
Win64
-DLL File
-
Thanks for the info.
I dislike the requirement for providing a build for current and previous versions because it precludes the possibility of using new features only available in the current version.
-
Thanks for the info.
I dislike the requirement for providing a build for current and previous versions because it precludes the possibility of using new features only available in the current version.
Hi Kerry, GOOD NEWS!
I'm glad you said something because that definately would have made no sense... I read that little snippit on a forum before I started my app but turns out it's bogus. It has to work in the CURRENT version. SORRY EVERYONE! I called my developer buddy and he pointed me to their product version guidelines here:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=20149725#producttypes (http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=20149725#producttypes)
-
Hi,
From my little experience, you only have to provide different builds in case of compatibility issues (i.e. .NET apps with A2012 and A2013/2014).
Another thing, you should have to provide your own msi if your app requires to run some custom method during the installation. I had to do it for OsnapPalette which needs to create two custom system variables (writing HKLM values).
-
Thanks for the update Alien.
Thanks for the MSI distinction gile.
Do AutoDesk give you a report regarding download count , etc ??
-
Do AutoDesk give you a report regarding download count , etc ??
Yes, you'll recieve a mail for each download of your app with the user address, and from Exchange website, you can go to "My uploads" (or "My published apps", I do not remeber) to see the the download count. You can also, by clicking on the count number, download a csv file which contains all the downloaders data.
-
Most excellent !!
-
Most excellent !!
Can't wait to see what you come up with :)
-
Do AutoDesk give you a report regarding download count , etc ??
Yes, you'll recieve a mail for each download of your app with the user address, and from Exchange website, you can go to "My uploads" (or "My published apps", I do not remeber) to see the the download count. You can also, by clicking on the count number, download a csv file which contains all the downloaders data.
(http://www.theswamp.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=44837.0;attach=25193;image)
... I hate to admit this, but yours is bigger than mine:
-
Do AutoDesk give you a report regarding download count , etc ??
Yes, you'll recieve a mail for each download of your app with the user address, and from Exchange website, you can go to "My uploads" (or "My published apps", I do not remeber) to see the the download count. You can also, by clicking on the count number, download a csv file which contains all the downloaders data.
How about sales? are they good? can you make enough to continue adding more features or to come up with better new apps?
-
Do AutoDesk give you a report regarding download count , etc ??
Yes, you'll recieve a mail for each download of your app with the user address, and from Exchange website, you can go to "My uploads" (or "My published apps", I do not remeber) to see the the download count. You can also, by clicking on the count number, download a csv file which contains all the downloaders data.
How about sales? are they good? can you make enough to continue adding more features or to come up with better new apps?
I cant say...
I'm not a good seller at all !
As you can see, the OsnapPalette paied version have been downloaded only 28 times since august 2012 (the date on the picture is the one of last update) while the trial version (with, I admit, a quite gentle 'per session timeout') have been download more than 600 times.
The price issue is also quite difficult: should I have sold more if it was $1.00 ? should I have sold less if it was $10.00 ? Nobody knows...
In fact, I did it more to test the process and to have some advertising.
-
In fact, I did it more to test the process and to have some advertising.
Good to know, thank you Gile - was simple curiosity. All the best.