Overview of Creating a Plug-In

Because of the nature of plug-ins, the development of each type of plug-in has different requirements. Each plug-in type defines its own interface that must be implemented.

This section describes the basic steps of using the SDK Generator tool to develop a plug-in; however, the details of implementing any of the specific interfaces are not discussed here. Refer to the template provided for each plug-in type for examples and instructions on how to develop the wrapper class for the plug-in.

For information about creating approximation plug-ins or optimization plug-ins using an external executable program, see About Approximation Technique Plug-ins or Overview of Optimization Technique Plug-ins.

  1. Do one of the following to launch the SDK Generator:

    • From the Design Gateway Tools menu, select SDK Generator.
    • Launch the SDK Generator from the command line as follows:

      • Windows: Execute the sdkGenerator.exe file located in the <Isight_install_directory>\<operating_system>\code\bin directory.

      • Linux: Execute the sdkGenerator file located in the <Isight_install_directory>/<operating_system>/code/bin directory.

    The Isight SDK Generator dialog box appears in the default configuration for generating components.

  2. From the File menu, click New and select Plug-in.

    The Select a Plug-in Category dialog box appears.

  3. Select the type of plug-in you want to create.

    A description of the plug-in appears on the right side of the dialog box.

  4. Click OK.

    You are returned to the Isight SDK Generator dialog box. Depending on the type of plug-in you are creating, you will see a specific set of items listed on the left. The following example shows the SDK Generator configuration for developing a DOE Technique plug-in.



  5. Click each of the items on the left side of the Isight SDK Generator; and define the required information, following the instructions provided on the right side of the SDK Generator.

  6. Use the appropriate template provided by SIMULIA for your plug-in type to create the Java wrapper.

    Each plug-in type requires different methods to be implemented specific to the functionality that the plug-in must provide. Detailed information is provided for the following plug-ins:

    • Approximation techniques
    • Calculation
    • Grid
    • Optimization techniques

    For all other types of plug-ins, only the templates and javadocs are provided. For more information, contact your SIMULIA support representative.

  7. Compile your Java wrapper.

    Assuming that you have the JDK installed and it is on your system path, run the following from a command prompt to compile your code: 

    javac -classpath <isight_install_dir>/<os_dir>/docs/java/SMAFIPsdk.jar
 MyWrapper.java

    where MyWrapper.java is replaced with the name of your Java wrapper.

  8. Once you have defined all the necessary settings, or at any time during the plug-in creation process, select Save from the File menu to save the jar file for your plug-in.

    You can also click Save on the SDK Generator toolbar.

  9. If desired, click to publish the plug-in to the Isight library.