No 'External Tools' button on Add-Ins ribbon

[Anonymous]

I have create an AddIn manifest code in the Revit Addins folder, But there is still no 'External Tools' button on Add-Ins ribbon.

Could you please give me a advice about how to fix it?

[RPTHOMAS108]

Will need to see how you have implemented IExternalApplication.

[Anonymous]

I copied the sample code of "my first plugin in" . Then pasted to visual studio and built it. Finally, I created the Addin manifest code and put it into the Revit addin folder. I followed all steps online, but it did work.

[RPTHOMAS108]

I'm not familiar with the tutorial in question but it appears to be limited to an IExternalCommand, the form of addin manifest for IExternalCommand is as below. Your manifest relates to an IExternalApplication.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="no"?>
<RevitAddIns>
  <AddIn Type="Command">
    <Assembly>c:\???????????????\DBRevitPlugin2017.dll</Assembly>
    <AddInId>01563c51-7b4d-4347-af4f-433b828dc5eb</AddInId>
    <FullClassName>RevitAddin.DesignBuilderPanel</FullClassName>
    <Text>Text description of command</Text>
    <VendorId>DBSO</VendorId>
    <VendorDescription>You description</VendorDescription>
  </AddIn>
</RevitAddIns>

Note that I've added a random GUID for AddInId, so you'll have to replace this with the one for your application. 

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much!

[Anonymous]

I'm working with this same issue right now. Does the GUID I use need to be associated with something or do I need an new unique one to insert into the code? If this GUID needs to reference one from a specific other entity, where do I get it from?

[RPTHOMAS108]

GUID is unimportant as long as it is unique. I normally create a new one from the online GUID generator or GUID generator within older versions of visual studio. I use this in the assembly information GUID and copy it to the manifest file but I don't believe those two things have to match.

If you don't get an error message that points to the problem (missing namespace etc.) then sometimes that can mean xml is badly formatted so open in an xml editor to check tags end and start correctly etc.

Should also point out that IExternalCommands don't have UI features unless you create them with a IExternalApplication. They will be listed instead under the Addins Tab > External Tools.