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Plug-In architecture...?

Started by August 01, 2000 10:59 PM
0 comments, last by Scott Bean 24 years, 4 months ago
This may be OT but I always wanted to know how to go about implementing a plug-in capable software program (3D modeler). I never really though it through 100% because I knew it had to be a huge task and did not want to get side tracked or off in the wrong direction. I guess I know there will have to be documentation and access to the core engine. But how do you go about exposing this to an outside coder working on a DLL etc. I''ve never really looked at building a Max Plug, which I should look at first. I''m also wondering how to go about letting the user add dialog boxes and UI controls and tools... Man the more I type, the more it sounds like an enourmous job... Thanks
I haven''t done this my self but....

you need to design an interface....

then use run-time linking(look it up in the help files)... then figure out how your going to let the program know if there is a plug-in avaliable... for example put a Setup window that they can select a dll to use.... or scan a directory for dlls....

then like create a set of function names that they can use in the dll...

AddNewObject();
DrawObject();

and so forth that the program would load symbols from the dll for then call them when needed....

document them somewhere and what they should use them for... then call them from the prog...

Great Milenko

Words Of Wisdom:
"Never Stick A Pretzel In Your Butt It Might Break Off In There."


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The Great Milenko"Don't stick a pretzel up your ass, it might get stuck in there.""Computer Programming is findding the right wrench to hammer in the correct screw."

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