AutoCAD 2012 was released a few months back, and has a number of new enhancements. But one very evident improvement is that Autodesk has really made some efforts to ensure that there is an easy way for end-users to find and use third-party utilities and add-ons, and for third-party developers to publish their apps to the AutoCAD user-community.
There are two items that I would like to write about - the AppStore (this post) and the AutoLoader (next post).
The AppStore is part of the Autodesk Exchange introduced in the 2012 version. Earlier, there used to be link to Partner Products Web-site that gave you access to third-party products. But, there was no integration between AutoCAD and the Partner Products Web-site. The AppStore in AutoCAD 2012 is a vastly improved extension of the same and has made the connection tightly integrated from within AutoCAD. This is going to benefit both the end-user as well as the developers. It is a place where you can find an array of third-party plugins for AutoCAD 2012 which you can download, install and use - all with just a few clicks of your mouse. And that is the key thing - the whole process of installing these utilities is over with a few clicks. No install path, no settings to be performed etc. It is almost a drag and operation.
The App Store is available via the Autodesk Exchange. You can get to the Autodesk Exchange by selecting the tool (shown with an X) near the top right corner of your drawing screen.
The Autodesk Exchange is also visible by default when you load AutoCAD 2012 for the first time after install.It remains as the initial load screen upon starting AutoCAD 2012 unless you uncheck the "Show at startup" check-box.
Click on the Apps tab and you will land straight in the App Store, which is modelled on the lines of the Apple Store.
As you can see, the App Store provides you with a ready-repository of plugins that you can browse through, learn about and install on your system. If you are a developer, look at the bottom right-hand corner - there is a link that will allow you to submit your application for inclusion in the App Store.
You can browse through the applications category-wise and check out the goodies yourself.
Currently, there are about 140 applications already available on the store. Most of the utilities you find here are ultra-low-cost, priced anywhere from $5 to $50. There is also one $495 complete mapping software package that I found to be the most expensive of the lot. There is also a whole bunch of FREE applications, most of them written by Autodesk programmers and some by other third-party vendors.
So, how does this benefit the AutoCAD user?
For the AutoCAD 2012 user, the App Store is a guarantee that applications here are vouched by Autodesk, will function as stated, and will follow the same standardized, structured install, update and uninstall procedure that will not mess up their system. This is one place where you can find dozens of Productivity, General Design, AEC and Manufacturing apps, translators etc.
How can AutoCAD developers benefit from the App Store?
If you are an AutoCAD developer, and want to see your application in the store, you will need to submit it to Autodesk online for approval. Your application can be Lisp, .NET, ARX or simply content-based, like a block library. You will need to package your application into a ZIPPED bundle, with a central XML file describing the structure and contents of the package. The best way to understand how to create your bundle is to download an existing application and study the structure. Replace the contents with your files and your text and leave the structure of the bundle intact. This is a great platform to build visibility for your product and your business. I recommend strongly that you download a plugin created by Autodesk if you want to know how to create your own bundle for submission. You can indentify an Autodesk created utility easily. They are all FREE utilities created by the ADN team and you will see an A mark on the plugin image. Use the Autodesk plugin bundle to study the structure. Once you have you data packed into the bundle, submitted to Autodesk and approved, you are ready to go.
The AppStore uses the Autoloader (more on this in my next post) and it takes care of everything else after you have packaged your bundle. Installation, un-installation, resource files, adding the tool icon into the Plugins tab, showing the documentation etc are all taken care by the AutoLoader.
Where is my plugin installed?
All plugins offered by the AppStore are installed in a standard location :
Drive:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\<your_plugin_name>...
For example, on my computer, my plugin folder looks like this:
C:\Users\Rakesh Rao\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\FDTPlugin-PLARC2PL.bundle
How do I uninstall my plugin?
Un-installing the plugin is as easy as installing it, but you will not find the un-install button easily. You will have to go back to the Apps tab on Autodesk Exchange again, look for your plug-in and click on "Re-Install". In the next screen, you will see an option to Un-Install the plugin. It is a bit strange that you have to go to Re-Install and then get to the Un-Install option. I will provide this feedback to Autodesk so that the Un-Install procedure is made a bit more logical.
I will leave you now to try the new AppStore and will write about the AppLoader next. Stay tuned.
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