Is there a way to load the plugin using environment variables?

Question

When installing mgpicker studio is the installation file the only way to do so? It would be convenient to do this with environment variables such as https://help.autodesk.com/view/MAYAUL/2022/ENU/?guid=GUID-8EFB1AC1-ED7D-4099-9EEE-624097872C04

 

Thanks!

Zak

Answer 1

Hi Zak, 

MG-Picker Studio used to publish on the Autodesk app store, but it mainly uses the installer to do the installation. Unfortunately, currently, we don't support the exact env approach you posted.

However, it indeed supports another environment-based approach when loading the tool.

What the formal installation does are essentially two things:

1. Copy files to Maya user script folder, if the user chose to do so during installation. But this is totally optional, the files can be anywhere.
2. Install two shelf buttons in the current shelf tab. If you check the shelf button codes:

   string $mgpicker_programDir = `getenv "MGPICKER_PROGRAM_FILE_DIR"`;
   if(`filetest -d $mgpicker_programDir`)
   {
       eval ("source \""+$mgpicker_programDir+"/MGPicker_WrittenByMiguel.mel"+"\"");
   }
   else 
   { 
       eval ("source \"E:/MG_PickerStudio/MEL/MGPicker_Program/MGPicker_WrittenByMiguel.mel\""); 
   }
   MG_PickerStudio 0;

    

So it does support an environment variable MGPICKER_PROGRAM_FILE_DIR, if you are able to author it, the whole installation process is optional.

I hope this makes sense.