Plugins

7.4.1 Plugins

IDV plugins are a way to add to or modify the functionality of the IDV. Plugins can range from adding new resources (e.g., color tables, layout models, maps) to changing the entire application. Plugins are typically Java JAR archive files that can contain a set of IDV resources and Java code. They are kept in a special directory on disk and are loaded at run time.

Plugin Command Line Arguments

You can load a plugin (one time only) with the:

-plugin <plugin file or URL>

command line argument.

You can install a plugin with the:

-installplugin <plugin file or URL>

command line argument.

You can start the IDV without any plugins with the:

-noplugins

command line argument.

Plugin Manager

The Plugin Manager, accessed through the menu, allows you to list, install and manage plugins.

Image 1: Plugin Manager

A list of the installed and available plugins is shown. The available plugins are those the the IDV development team makes available through. One can install plugins that are not in this list through the File->Install Plugin from File and File->Install Plugin from URL menu items. When you install a plugin you will need to restart the IDV for the plugin to take effect.

For installed plugins the Manager allows you to delete and reinstall the plugin. Note: When you delete a plugin it is only deleted when you exit the IDV.

The small binocular icon allows you to list the files that the plugin contains. This brings up the Plugin List dialog:

Image 2: Plugin List

You can view the contents of a file and/or extract a file through this dialog.

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