Confusion about starting add-on development
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2017-10-11
07:14 PM
- last edited on
2023-07-12
08:39 PM
by
Doreena Deng
I've registered to the API platform in order to try and develop my own addon.
I am a bit familiar with coding such as HTML and a bit of JavaScript, but my C++ skills are unknown.
I've read through the basic explanations on:
But sadly a lot of it is confusing to me, being a non-programmer.
The first thing that I would like to ask, is how to 'start' my add-on. The instructions say I need an 'MDID' resource in the form of:
'MDID' 32500 "Add-On Identifier" { developerID localID }But I am not sure how to create this. Is any IDE sufficient? Do I specifically need a Visual Studio platform for this? What file type is this saved as?
Regarding the process in the link:
the issue is the "AddOnAdmin". From what I can tell, this is just the add-on manager in ArchiCAD right? When I go to the add-on manager though, I have no option to make a "New Database" as they ask and insert my developer ID and so forth...
So right now I really want to start figuring out specifics of how and what to code for an add-on but I can't figure out the initial steps to start doing this.
I'm also a bit unclear about which file types the code needs to be saved as in general and if there is a specific folder structure within my addon folder that I need to respect.
I've marked all the questions in Bold and would be happy if someone knows how to answer any of them

Thank you!
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Add-On (C++)
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2018-07-30 07:29 PM
Ralph wrote:It's really odd for me, that the provided example does nothing. Is there any description about "Geometry (Geometry_Test)" sample? Or any other recommendations
No, you don't need a paid ARCHICAD license to test the add-ons.
Thanks
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2018-07-31 10:50 AM
Central Innovation
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2018-07-31 11:00 AM
Ralph wrote:Yes, I can see it. And I click it to start debugging
When the add-on is built and present in the Add-Ons folder when ARCHICAD is launched, do you see a menu itemTest > Geometry Functions > Rotate Lines (place a rectangle)in the main menu bar?
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2018-07-31 11:12 AM
Central Innovation
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2018-07-31 11:25 AM
Ralph wrote:Yes it works perfectly, thank you Ralph a lot.
When you use the menu item for this add-on, check if the lines are placed on another storey, e.g. one above the ground floor. I find the lines appearing on the first floor.
One more question. I need add a point on the scene to be visible in 3D mode .
Is it possible to draw some points on the scene be using OpenGl? For example, like that
glPointSize(2);
glBegin(GL_POINTS);
glColor3d(1,0,0);
glVertex3d(-4.5,4,0); // first point
glColor3d(0,1,0);
glVertex3d(-4,4,0); // second point
glColor3d(0,0,1); // third
glVertex3d(-3.5,4,0);
glEnd();
I need to know about context and subscribe to event something similar to BufferSwapNotify in SolidWorks. Any recommendations?
Thanks.
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2018-07-31 11:38 AM
How about using GDL objects placed in the model to achieve what you want?
Central Innovation
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2018-07-31 11:50 AM
Ralph wrote:Could you please advise me how to create something similar to point cloud. I want to generate points in my add on and place them on scene. I know I can import point clouds of some formats, how can I create point cloud in add on?
No, I don't think it's possible to interact with ARCHICAD's 3D mode like that. You can do that in a custom window, but I doubt that's what you want.
How about using GDL objects placed in the model to achieve what you want?
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2018-07-31 12:05 PM
Central Innovation
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2018-07-31 12:09 PM
Ralph wrote:Thanks, I'll look into this functionality
You could do that with GDL objects.
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2018-07-31 03:30 PM
Ralph wrote:I have some questions about GDL objects:
You could do that with GDL objects.
1. Should I create a GDL add on in order to render point clouds on the scene or I can use GDL object in ordinary add on?
2. In case of GDL add on should it be created only on C language?
Thanks