Topic: plug in bundle fails to load

[Kotofej]

Hello to all,

as the title suggests, I have problems (as anticipated) with something which looked decievingly simple at first glance. After following Autodesk's instructions and resources from the web, I created a simple testing .bundle folder with the accompanying .xml file, as well as a .lsp file. I placed it in all possible folders (Program data..., Program files..., User...) and after launching AutoCAD, a bubble appears and says "Unable to load unnamed plugin" (using AutoCAD 2014). Also, the log file is pretty useless.

I tried to download some free plugins - which all work normally - from the app store and compare their content (specially the .xml file) and saw no discrepancies of concerns. Although these apps used an installer which possibly made some additional changes which I didn't make in order for the plugins to work.

I am interested if anyone has any experience with .bundle-ing up their applications and if so, any advice is highly appreciated. On request, I can post more details if needed.

[Jeff_M]

Can you share the bundle here?

[Atook]

What version of CAD are you running? Security requirements for bundles changed with 2017.

[Kotofej]

I'm using AutoCAD 2014. I added the bundle to the attachment.

[ChrisCarlson]

Is it a full version of 2014 or LT?

[Jeff_M]

This line needs a space added:
   <RuntimeRequirementsOS="Win32|Win64|MacOS" Platform="AutoCAD|AutoCAD*"/>

so it looks like this:
   <RuntimeRequirements OS="Win32|Win64|MacOS" Platform="AutoCAD|AutoCAD*"/>

It then loads and the command runs, using Autocad 2016 and placing the bundle in C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins

[Kotofej]

My bad, this was a trivial mistake.

But unfortunately, this still doesn't work for me. Btw, I'm not using LT

Edit: interestingly, I have 3 other apps (some default apps) in that folder and they all load with no problems.

[BlackBox]

Just an observation -

Only "AutoCAD*" is needed, as "AutoCAD|AutoCAD*" is redundant for any version that supports the former (2013-2017).

*If* memory serves, only 2012 version requires each-and-every-single product to be specified.


Cheers

[Jeff_M]

Kotofej, I tested with C3D 2014 and your bundle loaded perfectly for me.

[Kotofej]

Bizzare, right now I'm thinking of actually reinstalling AutoCAD.

[Kotofej]

By the way, should the folder ProgramData/... be specified in the support file search path, if not?

Edit: a side note - when I type "appmanager" in the command prompt, the app shows up there, although after right-clicking it, I can't do anything. So it appears the app is recognized, but not loaded.

[BlackBox]

This is representative of how incomplete, or improperly implemented the Autoloader mechanism really is....

PackageContents.xml loading properly registers the App (and Commands?), but does not ensure that the dependent executable file(s) are loaded... And does not un-register the App, should the loading of the executable(s) fail.

[kdub_nz]

This is representative of how incomplete, or improperly implemented the Autoloader mechanism really is....

PackageContents.xml loading properly registers the App (and Commands?), but does not ensure that the dependent executable file(s) are loaded... And does not un-register the App, should the loading of the executable(s) fail.

Don't expect it to be fixed ... they're too busy Forging ahead ...

[Kotofej]

I am somehow getting an implicit message here which says: "Better avoid using plug-ins as a mean of app distribution."

[Jeff_M]

Kotofej, the bundle system works well...once you get it setup correctly. I've now tested your bundle (after that minor edit) on 2 computers and it's working fine.