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7.4.1.0 Plugin Creator
The Plugin Creator, accessed through the Tools->Plugin Creator menu, allows you to create new plugins.

Note: This is a new facility within the IDV and is a work in progress. Some things, like reading in a plugin, have yet to be implemented.

A plugin is a Java JAR file that contains a set of resource files. These resource files can include things like the color tables you have created, projections, layout models, formulas, etc. The plugin manager supports both adding in a whole file (e.g., all of the color tables you have created) as well as adding in individual resource objects (e.g., a specific color table you have created).

For a fuller explanation of the resources and how things fit together please refer to the workshop section.

Adding Resources
To add in a file use the File->Add File menu. The file dialog will come up listing the contents of your local .unidata/idv directory. This is where all of the various resources that are created are stored. For example, if you wanted to include all of your color tables then add the colortables.xml file.

You can also add individual resources through the File->Add Resource menus. You can also add resources through the various resource editors (e.g., Jython Editor, Parameter Defaults,Parameter Aliases). Typically this facility is available through the editor's File menu.

Resources List
Each file or resource that is added into the Plugin Creator is listed under the Resource tab:
Plugin Creator - Resource List
Image 1: Plugin Creator - Resource List
You can delete the selected resource in the list with the trash can button or the delete key.
Excludes
The excludes tab allows you to exclude system default resources. For example, in the below screen shot we are excluding color tables and projections. When the plugin that is defined here is loaded into the IDV the excludes will result in only the color tables and projections that are defined in this plugin to be used.
Plugin Creator - Exclude List
Image 2: Plugin Creator - Exclude List
Properties
The Properties tab allows you to overwrite different properties the IDV uses. This listing is broken up into three categories: User Interface, Data and Miscellaneous.
Plugin Creator - Properties
Image 3: Plugin Creator - Properties
Writing the Plugin
To write the plugin simply click on the Write Plugin button. If you have not specified a plugin file name (i.e., a .jar file) you will be prompted. If you also want to install the plugin to your local IDV plugins area select the Install checkbox. Note: You will need to restart the IDV for any installed plugins to take effect.

 


Previous: Plugins Next: Plugin Jar Files Table of contents Images Frames Unidata's Integrated Data Viewer > Miscellaneous > Site Configuration > Plugins