What does each development kit mean

[kency]

Hello all,

We were newbies to ArchiCAD Add on development (ArchiCAD as well). We have managed to create walls, doors and few other elements through Add-On code. But taking a step back we were wondering what each development kit provided by ArchiCAD means and its use case/purpose.

• 1. API development Kit -> to create an Add-On in ArchiCAD
• 2. GDL Development Kit
• 3. Library Development Kit
• 4. Rendering Development Kit

Questions:

1. What does each of this kit mean and when to use what. Examples are much appreciated.
2. Can we use something developed in library kit/gdl kit within an Add-On ?

[Viktor Kovacs · Accepted solution]

• API development Kit: An SDK to create Archicad functionalities using the general API. You can write import/export functionalities, access almost every data in your plan file, register your own user interface elements, and much more.
• GDL Development Kit: An SDK to extend the GDL programming language with your own commands.
• Library Development Kit: A set of tools that help you developing Archicad Library Objects (like doors, windows, objects, etc.). Provides tools for converting between text and gsm formats, packaging libraries, etc.
• Rendering Development Kit: An SDK to develop rendering Add-Ons (like Basic or Cineware renderer). These Add-Ons integrate well with the Rendering and Surface Settings dialogs, and has access to APIs related to rendering.

[kency]

Thank you @Viktor Kovacs . I have explored a bit on the API development kit since 2 months. Have understood that we can use it to create our own functionalities and provide it as an Add-On. Does the other kit help in developing Add-ons? Or are they supposed to be used else where.

[Viktor Kovacs]

Generally the API Development Kit serves all your needs, you only need to use the other ones if you would like to develop a specific functionality.