## Addon

Object Hierarchy

### Inheritance

SIObject

Addon

### Introduced

v3.5

### Description

The Addon object lets you package, install, and uninstall add-ons through scripting. An add-on is a collection of plug-in items such as toolbars, custom commands, and layouts that can be easily packaged and deployed to other computers.
Note: The Addon object gives you precise control over the contents of an .xsiaddon file, but requires that you add each file individually. The PackageAddon command provides a easier way to build .xsiaddon files.

### Methods

AddItem | AddOtherItem | IsClassOf | IsEqualTo
Save | SetAddonDetail |  |

### Properties

Application | Categories | DefaultInstallationPath | FullName
Help | Name | NestedObjects | Origin
OriginPath | Parent | SubDirectory | Type

### Examples

#### JScript Example

    /*     --------------------------------------------------------------
                    This example creates and registers a custom
                    command and then shows how you can package it
                    as an add-on through scripting.
            ----------------------------------------------------------------- */
    /*
            PART ONE: SET UP THE COMMAND
    */
    // Start off with a clean slate
    NewScene( null, false );
    Application.RemoveCommand( "Howdy" );
    // Get the factory (installation) path and use it to build the filename and path
    var sPath = InstallationPath( siUserPath );
    var sCmdFileName = XSIUtils.BuildPath( sPath, "Data", "Scripts", "HelloWorld.js" );
    // Create a "hello world" script file
    var fso = new ActiveXObject( "Scripting.FileSystemObject" );
    var fHWFile = fso.CreateTextFile( sCmdFileName  );
    fHWFile.WriteLine( "function SayHi()" );
    fHWFile.WriteLine( "{" );
    fHWFile.WriteLine( "\tApplication.LogMessage( \"Hello, World!\" );" );
    fHWFile.WriteLine( "}" );
    fHWFile.Close();
    // Add it to the command map in Softimage
    var oCmd = Application.CreateCommand( "Howdy", siExportCategory );
    oCmd.Description = "Display the traditional greeting";
    oCmd.ScriptingName = "Howdy";
    oCmd.Handler = "SayHi";
    oCmd.FileName = sCmdFileName;
    oCmd.Language = "JScript";
    Application.AddCommand( oCmd );
    // Run it make sure it works
    oCmd.Execute();
    /*
            PART TWO: PACKAGE IT AS AN ADD-ON
    */
    // Set up the add-on package object
    var oAddOn = Application.CreateAddon();
    // Add the new command to the add-on package
    oAddOn.AddItem( siScriptCmdAddonItemType, oCmd );
    // Set the default installation path and subdirectory for installation
    oAddOn.DefaultInstallationPath = siUserAddonPath;
    oAddOn.SubDirectory = "HiyaProject";
    // Save the .xsiaddon file to disk
    var sAddOnFileName = XSIUtils.BuildPath( sPath, "myAddOn.xsiaddon" );
    oAddOn.Save( sAddOnFileName );
    // Remove the custom command we created and then install the add-on
    Application.RemoveCommand("Howdy");
    fso.DeleteFile( sCmdFileName, true );
    oCmd = null;
    oAddOn = null;
    Application.InstallAddon( sAddOnFileName, siUserAddonPath );
    // Run the command to make sure it still works after we removed it and
    // then reinstalled it from our new add-on package
    Commands( "Howdy" ).Execute();
    // Clean up and remove the add-on package
    sInstalledAddOnFileName = XSIUtils.BuildPath( InstallationPath( siUserAddonPath ), "InstalledAddons", "myAddOn.xsiaddon" );
    Application.UninstallAddon( sInstalledAddOnFileName );
    // --------------------------------------------------------------
    // Output of the above script is:
    //
    //INFO : "Hello, World!"
    //Howdy(null);
    //INFO : "Hello, World!"
    //Howdy(null);

### See Also

XSIApplication.CreateAddon XSIApplication.InstallAddon XSIApplication.UnInstallAddon PackageAddon CreateAddonDirectories