Softimage SDK Programmer's Guide > Customizing Softimage using the SDK > Building and Deploying Customizations >

# Managing Workgroups

You use the Plug-in Manager to manage workgroups. The Plug-in Manager updates the workgroup path stored in the user preferences.

To do this | On the Workgroup tab, do this:
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Connect to a workgroup | Choose File Connect. Click and locate the root folder of a workgroup. Click the root folder and then click Select. You can also connect to a workgroup from the command line or by using a data file. See Setting Your Workgroup from the Command Line and Connecting to Workgroups Using a Data File.
Create a workgroup | Choose File Create. In the Workgroup Folder Name box, type a name for the workgroup. In the Location box, type a path or click and locate the folder that will contain the workgroup.
Change the order of the workgroups (for example, move a workgroup to the top of the list) | Click a workgroup and then click Move Up or Move Down.
Disconnect from a workgroup | Click a workgroup and then choose Selection Disconnect.
Deactivate (disable) a workgroup | Clear the check box beside the workgroup. When you deactivate a workgroup, Softimage disconnects from the workgroup but keeps the workgroup in the list of workgroups. You can also deactivate a workgroup in the Plug-in Tree. In the tree, right-click a workgroup and choose Disable.
Activate (enable) a workgroup | Click the check box beside the workgroup.
Reload all workgroup customizations and plug-ins | Choose File Rescan. Softimage rescans all activated workgroups.

## Connecting to Workgroups Using a .wkg File

An alternative way of managing workgroups is to store the workgroup paths to which you want to connect in a file (.wkg extension) and then placing this file in the Data folder of the Softimage installation (factory) location, or the User location. Softimage automatically scans these locations at startup and if one or multiple .wkg files are found, Softimage will connect to the workgroup path of each entry it finds.

.wkg files are simple text files which contain multiple directory paths and can be named any way you want. Each path must be added on a separate line and each line must end with a newline character.

To disconnect from a workgroup:

1. On the Workgroups tab of the Plug-in Manager, click on the workgroup to select it in the list.
2. Choose Selection Disconnect. Any plug-ins in the workgroup are unloaded are are no longer available.

NoteWorkgroups added through .wkg files can be disconnected by simply removing the .wkg file from the Data folder.