====== Coming soon: L3DT v2.4b ======

Hi Everyone,

I've uploaded the installers for L3DT v2.4a build 14 to the downloads pages (both Pro and Standard). Barring some major catastrophe, this version will be re-badged as release 2.4b on or about October the first. 

//So, what's new?// 

Two things really; the first is general debugging and polishing to make L3DT more stable and easier to use. The second, as I mentioned [[l3dt:2006:sep:16|a few days ago]], is the new plugin system. L3DT v2.4b will allow users to add their own load/save/import/export plugins for different file formats. This release (2.4a build 14) includes that plugin system, a few working plugins, and  - in the professional installer - the source code for some of those plugins.

If you would like to try your programming skills on writing a new plugin, you will need a working familiarity with C++, and a copy of MSVC v7.0 or later (that's .NET 2002, 2003 or 2005). I have **not** written any documentation for the code just yet, but I have included the full source code for two of the plugins:
  * L3DTio_DMF - loads and saves L3DT's [[bundydocs>l3dt:formats:specs:dmf|design map file]]. This plugin shows how to load and save a simple format, including the correct invocations to initialise maps in L3DT, set/get pixel values, and so forth. 
  * L3DTio_HTF - exports to [[http://www.glscene.org|GLScene's]] height tile file. This plugin shows how to store and retrieve persistent settings for formats, such as tile size, flip mode, etc. 

The Plugin API does not currently support loading/saving mosaics. This will either be included with v2.4b, or in an update shortly thereafter. 

Anyway, I would really appreciate it if some users would download and try out this latest dev build. It installs and uninstalls alongside - rather than over - your current 'stable' versions of L3DT, so it should be perfectly safe to try((...of course, that is not a guarantee.)). I welcome any and all feedback on the plugin code too.

Cheerio,
Aaron.

PS: Feedback or comments can be left in [[http://www.bundysoft.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=242|this forum thread]].

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//Edit #1// --- //[[user>aaron]] 2006/09/22 07:18//

Oops, I nearly forgot. Compiled plugins should be placed in the '[L3DT path]\Extensions' directory. Then, to load the plugin into L3DT, open the new extension manager ('utilities->extension manager'), and load your plugin using the 'load' button (you will need to re-start L3DT afterwards). Should your plugin crash during start-up (which will take-out L3DT too, as the calling process), it will automatically be disabled the next time you start L3DT. To re-enable the wayward plugin, use the 'enable' button in the extension manager.

{{tag>release plugins Zeolite}}