Hi,

I want to create a plugin in creator with customised attribute searches. can someone direct me how can i do it. like major steps. just like other tool boxes it should have a tool box.

I would be happy to help. Let me first get a little more information, just to make sure I understand what you are trying to accomplish, and to make sure there isn't already a way to get what you want. Nobody likes to re-invent the wheel... well unless they have something amazing to add to it! Like those cool rims that spun even when the car stopped that were popular for about a day or two.... Ok, back on track.

So you want to search for attributes. You said a customized attribute search. Does that mean you want to search for custom attributes? like plugin defined attributes or extensions? Or does that mean you have a custom set of attributes that exist in standard OpenFlight? Or perhaps you want to further control the search of attributes by imbedding logic into your search? (like, find all green geometry, but if it is a mesh instead only select red geometry with two or less vertices...)

We're happy to help you with specific questions but you should first take a look at the OpenFlight API Developer Guides. Volume 1 gives you the basics on how to install and use the API. Volume 2 shows you how to build a plugin. Everything you need is contained in those two volumes.

Also check out the sample plugins and if you have Creator, you can use the Plugin Wizard. You answer some simple questions about your plugin and it makes the Visual Studio Solution files as well as skeleton source files that get you started.

I would be happy to help. Let me first get a little more information, just to make sure I understand what you are trying to accomplish, and to make sure there isn't already a way to get what you want. Nobody likes to re-invent the wheel... well unless they have something amazing to add to it! Like those cool rims that spun even when the car stopped that were popular for about a day or two.... Ok, back on track.

So you want to search for attributes. You said a customized attribute search. Does that mean you want to search for custom attributes? like plugin defined attributes or extensions? Or does that mean you have a custom set of attributes that exist in standard OpenFlight? Or perhaps you want to further control the search of attributes by imbedding logic into your search? (like, find all green geometry, but if it is a mesh instead only select red geometry with two or less vertices...)

Thank you sir, like what you said just to add on that my idea is to create few buttons like we have in creator eg: reverse face, project faces, mirror etc. I want these kind of tools for attribute searches. For example if I want to select all polygons that has 127 as primary color index or all polygons that doesn't have comments applied or doesn't have texture applied. I want those poly gone to be selected in one shot with the help of a button /tool. Right now we have to go to attribute search and do each one . I have saved few search terms in run attribute search. But in both cases we can't add shortcuts. Even we can't assign shortcuts for run attribute searches contents. So what I want is a floating tool box where all these custom attribute searches as displayed as small buttons which we can get the result or select those polygons with a one click approach. Hope you got what I'm trying to achieve.

Sorry for the late reply.

We're happy to help you with specific questions but you should first take a look at the OpenFlight API Developer Guides. Volume 1 gives you the basics on how to install and use the API. Volume 2 shows you how to build a plugin. Everything you need is contained in those two volumes.

Also check out the sample plugins and if you have Creator, you can use the Plugin Wizard. You answer some simple questions about your plugin and it makes the Visual Studio Solution files as well as skeleton source files that get you started.

Hi,

I have gone through both guides but as I'm new to this I would like to have guided path to achieve what I want. Also I have seen in those guides like plugin stuffs are mentioned more in detail in volume 3 and volume 4 guides but unfortunately I'm not able to find those two in creator or api references.

Also I have seen in those guides like plugin stuffs are mentioned more in detail in volume 3 and volume 4 guides but unfortunately I’m not able to find those two in creator or api references.

If you installed OpenFlight API 13, these documents are located in

c:\presagis\suite13\OpenFlight_API\docs

Ok, what you want shouldn't be too difficult to set up. As Steve mentions, some understanding of how the API works will be required. Also as Steve mentions, the plugin wizard will be of great help to you.

Here is a basic idea of what will solve your problem... You can reuse your already set up attribute searches to avoid most of the work. This is because you can simply have your tool call the Run Attribute Search command and pass the name of the saved attribute search.

Assuming that attribute search does everything you need, and you simply want to have quicker access to the searches, here is a rough draft of the steps to take:

1) Run the plugin wizard

2) Compile the unmodified plugin wizard project (to make sure you have everything set up)

3) Add the call to Run Attribute Search in your plugin's Start function

Take a crack at it and do a little reading about items that are not so clear, then feel free to report back with progress or further questions!

Sure I'll post the progress, and please don't feel bad in case I raise any dumb questions. :)

Great! I Can't wait to see how it turns out for you!

One more doubt i have a little bit knowledge on VB, Can i desgn the interface in VB? is it accepted by creator? VB codes?

Unfortunately we don't have a visual basic compatible API. I was under the impression you wanted a simple button to launch an attribute search. There does not need to be a user interface for this. Unless you are trying to create a plugin that has many different buttons to run different attribute searches. While this is interesting, I would suggest a simple plugin first. If I were you I would do a simple, no UI plugin that when started just runs a single attribute search that is hard coded into the plugin. Then duplicate this for several different tools to make all the searches you need. To organize them in the UI, I would use Creator's customizable UI to drag the buttons to a new tab on the ribbon, or to a custom toolbox.

Thank you for the information about VB, and you have given me a great vision on how to begin. i'll follow the way as you told. :).

Still i cant find these two documents > OpenFlight API User’s Guide Levels 3 and 4. can somebody share or help me to locate it.

Still i cant find these two documents > OpenFlight API User’s Guide Levels 3 and 4. can somebody share or help me to locate it.

Ok let's start at the beginning...

Did you install the OpenFlight API SDK?

If you did, what version did you install?

If you installed v13 (the most recent and the one recommended) and you installed the API in the default location, the OpenFlight API Developers Guides will be located at:

c:\presagis\suite13\OpenFlight_API\docs\developerguide

Both volumes will be in this folder

The api which I have is 4.1 creator is also same. I tried installing suit13 one but in that also I found only volume 1&2. Sir is there any way I can be in touch with you because if I have a doubt I have to ask all dumb questions here. And have to wait little longer to get a reply because of our time zone difference (iam from India). Its not a problem for me to wake up n talk to you in your comfortable time). Also I'm finding little difficulty in configuring my compilers with api. Like preprocessors settings and all even after reading the guides.