Great suggestion Kerry!
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- 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.htmlAbout 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.htmInside 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=ACDHere is the basic direction to fill out the application if needed:
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=20149658Hope 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
