What should I use to create plugins?

[Hockeyflyers]

First off, I am not some impatient newbie who thinks all I have to do is download some program and it creates plugins any time I want. I have learned programming languages before, so I know how hard it is.

I have heard you can write plugins for Pdn with C#. I have downloaded Microsoft Visual C# Studio 2005 Express and I am learning C#. I was wondering if Microsoft Visual C# Studio 2005 Express can create plugins? If not, what does everyone else use?

[BoltBait]

Learning C# is a good start.

Once you have a basic handle on that, read all the source code for plugins that you can get your hands on. Many of the posts in the Plugin forum include their source code.

Then, when you are ready to write your own, download the CodeLab plugin http://boltbait.googlepages.com/codelab . This will allow you to quickly prototype your effect. Once you have that working, if you only need 1-3 sliders (or an angle) you can use CodeLab to compile your effect to a DLL that is ready for distribution.

If you need more controls, you can write your effect in Microsoft Visual C# Studio 2005 Express--which you've already downloaded. It is more involved than CodeLab, but also more flexible.

Here are some links to get you started:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5281 (How to write a plugin using CodeLab, Part 1)

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5308 (How to write a plugin using CodeLab, Part 2)

viewtopic.php?t=6405 (How to write a plugin using CodeLab, Part 3)

Here is a template for Visual C# for writing plugins:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2618

Good luck!

[Hockeyflyers]

Learning C# is a good start.

Once you have a basic handle on that, read all the source code for plugins that you can get your hands on. Many of the posts in the Plugin forum include their source code.

Then, when you are ready to write your own, download the CodeLab plugin http://boltbait.googlepages.com/codelab . This will allow you to quickly prototype your effect. Once you have that working, if you only need 1-3 sliders (or an angle) you can use CodeLab to compile your effect to a DLL that is ready for distribution.

If you need more controls, you can write your effect in Microsoft Visual C# Studio 2005 Express--which you've already downloaded. It is more involved than CodeLab, but also more flexible.

Here are some links to get you started:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5281 (How to write a plugin using CodeLab, Part 1)

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5308 (How to write a plugin using CodeLab, Part 2)

viewtopic.php?t=6405 (How to write a plugin using CodeLab, Part 3)

Here is a template for Visual C# for writing plugins:

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2618

Good luck!

Thanks a lot!