Understanding plug-in programs

Plug-in programs, also known simply as plug-ins, are utilities or sets of instructions that add functionality to a program without changing the program. In MIPAV, you use Java to write and compile plug-in programs to perform specific functions, such as automatically removing all odd-numbered images from the image dataset or adding support for a new file format. There are three types of plug-in programs that you may write for MIPAV:
Algorithm -An algorithm type of plug-in performs a function on an image. An example is a plug-in that applies a radial blur algorithm to an image. You can create plug-in algorithms through Java.
File -A file type of plug-in allows MIPAV to support a new file format. An example is a plug-in that allows MIPAV to view Kodak Photo CD files (.pcd).
View -A view type of plug-in introduces a new view, or the way in which the image is displayed. Examples include the lightbox, triplanar, and animate views.
Note: Because MIPAV already supports a large number of file formats and views and its development team makes it a practice to extend its capabilities in these areas, it is generally unnecessary to add file or view types of plug-ins. Most plug-in programs, therefore, are algorithms.

In this chapter

• Using the API documentation
• Developing plug-in programs
• Creating a self-contained plug-in frame
• Installing a plug-in
• Examples of MIPAV plug-ins
  • Plug-in CT_MD, a typical plug-in program
    • PlugInAlgorithmCT_MD.java
    • Plug-in CT_MD.java

Installing a plug-in

After developing a plug-in program, you can then install the plug-in program into the MIPAV application and access it from the PlugIns menu in the MIPAV window.

The MIPAV window labeled "(A)" in Figure 1 shows the PlugIns menu as it appears before any plug-in programs are installed. The picture labeled "(B)" in Figure 1 shows the PlugIns menu as it appears after two plug-in programs-in this case, the Fantasm plug-in program and the Talairach Transform plug-in program-are installed. Because the Fantasm and Talairach Transform plug-in programs are algorithms, they appear under the PlugIns > Algorithm menu.

Note: If a plug-in program is a file type of plug-in, it would appear under a
PlugIns > File menu. If it is a view type, it would appear under a PlugIns > View menu.

Figure 1. Plug-ins menu in the MIPAV window: (a) Before a plug-in was installed and (b) after two plug-ins were installed

a

b

Next: Using the API documentation

See also:

• Understanding plug-in programs
• Using the API documentation
• Developing plug-in programs
• Creating a self-contained plug-in frame
• Installing a plug-in
• Examples of MIPAV plug-ins
  • Plug-in CT_MD, a typical plug-in program
    • PlugInAlgorithmCT_MD.java
    • Plug-in CT_MD.java