Template Setup Instructions for Visual Studio 2005Before doing any work creating the plugin you must first perform some renaming (Unless you want to distribute
a plugin called MC_VBPlugin_Template!
The following steps are best performed in order. Ideally in time they will be automated.
Folder/File RenamingMake sure the soloution is closed in Visual Studio before performing this step.
1. Rename the folder which contains the soloution files from VB_NetPluginSoloution to the name of your project
I think appending the the name "soloution" is a nice convention.
For example "Coffee Maker Plugin Soloution"
2. Rename the folder which contains the project files from VB_NetPluginProject to the name of your project
Again we'll call this one "Coffee Maker Plugin project"
3. Remove the file MC_VBNETPlugin_Template.dll in "Build Files". You'll regenerate it in a bit.
Source Code ChangesOpen up the soloution(Not the project) in Your chosen development environment (Again I will be using VS.NET 2005).
Visual Studio will complain it can't find the project, because we have just moved it.
In the Soloution Explorer you should see the project VB_NetPluginProject
1. Select this and remove it, by pressing delete then ok.
2. Now add the project back in by right clicking the soloution, and selecting "Add Existing Project"
Find the project file and press ok.
The project will be added back to the soloution, however it will be named incorrectly.
3. Rename the soloution within Visual Studio by selecting it from the soloution explorer, then press F2 and rename it.
4. Rename the project by selecting it from the soloution explorer, then press F2 and rename it.
5. Press Shift-F4. In the Application settings change the Assembly name (The name of the output DLL) and default namespace to suit...
6. Change the Prog ID in MainInterface.cs Line 28 to something appropriate for example:
[System.Runtime.InteropServices.ProgId ( "MCPlugin.CoffeeMakerPlugin" )]
7. Save the soloution.
InnoSetup Script Changes- Setup: In the setup area you'll want to change the various attributes to your own name etc...
- Registry: Under Registry change the subkey to the name of your plugin. This if I remember correctly is the name
that Media Center uses for the plugin under Services and Plugins. Change Company, URL, and Copyright to the
appropriate Values. Change the ProgID to match that in the source code, as in Step 6 of the source code changes. These must be identical else Media Center will not find the plugin. - Run/Uninstall: Change the DLL to match that of the assembly DLL.
First time build on the Development machinePerform a Clean Soloution from the build menu to remove all object files from
the bin debug folder. Now perform the build soloution.
First time registration on the Development machineOpen the setup script in the "Installation" folder with InnoSetup.
Press F9. The script will be run, a new setup file compiled, and then run.
Go through the setup process for the plugin.
You will see any flaws as you run through the setup.
At the end it should have registered the plugin with Media Center.
Checking the plugin in Media CenterOpen Media Center up, and check the plugin now appears in plugin manager.
You may have to hide it then show it. It should then appear under services and plugins.