How to Install a plug-in.

There are 4 kinds of script objects that you may download from Vector Depot.
They are

• A document script
• A Menu Command (*.VSM file)
• A Tool (*.VST file)
• A Plug-in Object (*.VSO file)

To install a document script the script must be in plain text format. If you try to open the script file in a text editor you should be able to read it. You may not understand the Vector Script language but it will be text.

To install these types of scripts, open the Resources Palette (RP). From the RP select the New button. You will be presented with options to create many types of items. Select Vector Script and press OK.

If you do not already have a script palette in the drawing you will be prompted for the name of a script palette that will be created for you. If there is an active script palette in the drawing you will proceed to the next step.

Next you will name the script you are creating. Give the script a descriptive name. You may want to stick with the name the original author gave the script so that if you are discussing the script with others it is understood which script is being discussed.

After the script is named the Vector Script editor will be displayed. You should then copy the original text file containing the script and paste it into the editor.

Press the Compile VectorScript button to be sure the script compiles. If you get no errors then close the editor. Errors may be displayed due to pasting in extra text or bad script format. Check what you have pasted in the editor.

If all goes well you will now have a script palette that lists your newly installed script. To run the script double click on the name of the script in the palette.

Keep in mind that document scripts, unlike the other types are only available in the document in which they are intalled.

Plug-in Scripts

Plug-in scripts are scripts which are available in any drawing.

To install a Plug-in script copy the plug-in file (either a VSM, VST or VSO file) to the plug-ins folder where VectorWorks is installed.

Next from the file menu open the workspace editor. Select edit current workspace.

When the editor appears you will need to find the newly copied Plug-in in the left hand pane. If the script is a menu command (VSM) it will be on the first page of the dialog. The other types (tools and PIOs) will be found on the second page of the workspace editor.

The right hand pane of either the first or second page of the dialog will show your current menu or palette configuration. You should recognize the names of your menus and palettes.

Locate the file you are trying to install in the left hand pane. A good first place to look is under the miscellaneous category since this is the default for new plug-ins. Once you have located the file just drag it to the location on the right side panel that corresponds to the menu or palette location where you wish to see the tool in VectorWorks.

Close the Workspace editor and the program will rebuild your workspace. If all went well after a few flashes of the screen you should see the tool where you placed it. If problems occur review your steps.

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