Plugin Bundle is not loading, but app works when using NETLOAD

[jmmcneil]

I've completed work on a new plugin bundle for my team to use in AutoCAD 2024 but I'm running into some weird issues. For the life of me I cannot get the bundle to load automatically when Plant 3D is launched. Using NETLOAD works, but the goal is to have the new commands available to those who have the bundle installed without having to do an extra step every time they need the plugin to load.

What's even more confusing is that this is only an issue in my latest build of this software. I had originally created a project called "ID-BOP", created an installer for it, and everything worked perfectly. Now that I've migrated the code to a new repository and updated the name to "InvertElevation" (per requirements from my devops admins), the same code no longer works. I've updated the ProductCode in the PackageContents.xml file so there shouldn't be any issues there. As far as I can tell, everything is correctly configured. I'm hoping someone can tell me where I went wrong.

Project files will be attached.

[Ed__Jobe]

The bundle must be in a trusted location. Try moving it to one of the bundle locations under the user's profile.

As far as the plugin not working, you need to be more specific rather than just saying it's not working. Are you able to debug it?

[_gile]

Hi,

If your plugin works while NETLOADed but does not automatically loads from the .bundle, the issue is not with the project you attached.

You should show the PackageContents code instead.

[jmmcneil]

@_gile I totally forgot my PackageContents.xml wasn't in that folder, my apologies. Here it is:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ApplicationPackage
    SchemaVersion="1.0"
    AppVersion="1.0.0"
    Author="My Company"
    ProductCode="{2C5733CD-C102-42E3-9F96-27BCA5ABBBC0}"
    UpgradeCode="{5E5E8B86-9F70-4589-AAF4-A51D283056A3}"
    Name="Nexus Plant">
    <CompanyDetails Name="My Company"/>
    <Components>
        <ComponentEntry
            AppName="Invert Elevation"
            ModuleName="./Contents/bin/Nexus.Plant.InvertElevation.dll"/>
    </Components>
</ApplicationPackage>

[jmmcneil]

@Ed__Jobe The plugin works as expected when loaded via NETLOAD, but it won't autoload from the plugin bundle. I tried moving the bundle file to %AppData%\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins as you suggested but nothing changed. Using APPAUTOLOADER to list loaded plugins shows that the bundle is visible to AutoCAD, but the command isn't being made available. Please note that whether or not I've installed the bundle to C:\Program Files\..., C:\ProgramData\..., or %AppData%\... the result is the same. The bundle is visible, just not made available to the user.

Command: APPAUTOLOADER
Enter an autoloader action [List/Reload] <List>: R
C:\Users\jmmcneil\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\NexusPlant.bundle... Ok
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\ADSK-ProjectExplorer-2024.bundle... Ok
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\RasterDesign2022.Bundle... Ok
C:\Program Files\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\RasterDesign2024.Bundle...
Autoloader for AeciSk has no commands
Autoloader for AeciRem has no commands
Autoloader for AeciIbApi has no commands
Autoloader for AeciUiBase has no commands
Autoloader for AeciRibbonUiApi has no commands
 Ok
C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\Autodesk AppManager.bundle... Ok
C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\Autodesk FeaturedApps.bundle... Ok
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\3dsmax-civilview-2024-1.2.1.0...
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\AdvancedModeling3dsMax2024...
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\ID-BOP.bundle... Ok
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\MAXtoA_2024...
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\Retopology3dsMax2024...
C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\SubstanceIn3dsMax2024...

[Ed__Jobe]

From Help: "RuntimeRequirements element – Required, if a Components element is present "

Notice the Components element from one of my bundles.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ?>
<ApplicationPackage  
    SchemaVersion="1.0"
    Name="TID_Startup"
    Description="Initialization of AutoCAD environment. Base utilities are loaded at startup."
    Author="Ed Jobe"  
    AppVersion="2013.0.0.0" 
    ProductCode="6a97735b-e0ec-4076-8898-7bc526db74f3"
    Helpfile="">
  <CompanyDetails
    Name="Turlock Irrigation District"
    URL="www.tid.com"
    Email="email@some.com">    
  </CompanyDetails>
  <Components>
    <RuntimeRequirements
      OS="Win32"
      Platform="AutoCAD|Map|Civil3D|MEP"
      SeriesMin="R19"
      SeriesMax="R24"
      SupportPath=""
      ToolPalettePath="">  
    </RuntimeRequirements>
    <ComponentEntry
      AppName="TID_Startup"
      AppType=".Net"
      MouduleName="./Contents/TID_Startup.dll">      
    </ComponentEntry>
  </Components>
</ApplicationPackage>

[jmmcneil]

@Ed__Jobe No luck, unfortunately. I've tried adding that in the past as well. Strangely one of my other plugins loads as expected without the RuntimeRequirements tag, but this project is being difficult haha. I appreciate the suggestion

[Ed__Jobe]

What about the GUID's? Are they unique to this project? Note that it is different than the guid used in your VS project.

Is the xml ModuleName path to the dll correct?

[jmmcneil · Accepted solution]

Okay this is embarassing. Installer was deploying the .bundle folder with a "Content" folder and my PackageContents.xml was pointing to "Contents". My shame is immeasurable but I'm glad that it's been resolved. Thank you @Ed__Jobe and @_gile for your time and your help!

[Ed__Jobe · Accepted solution]

Yes, it has to be Contents in order for AutoCAD to find it.