Custom Plug-ins and Scripts

You can use C++ and Python to add custom operations and file formats.

C++ is available on both Windows and Mac. Currently Python is available only on Windows.

You can do the following:
  • Use C++ or Python to write a plug-in to create modeling tools with parameters that can be modified interactively.
  • Use Python to write automated scripts, primarily one-time commands that require little to no user input. You can access the entire internal API, including PolyNURBS and NURBS surfaces and solids, with powerful functions such as Booleans, Sweep, Loft, Intersection, Trim, and basic NURBS editing.
  • Use the Python console to quickly and interactively write an operation. To open the console, press F4 or select View > Python Window.

Plug-in Development Kit

To access the Plug-in Development Kit, go to C:\Program Files\Altair\2022\InspireStudio2022\st\PDK.

Saving Plug-ins

You need to save your plug-ins to one of the following locations:
  • C:\Program Files\Altair\2022\InspireStudio2022\st\bin\win64\Plug-in
  • C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Altair\2022\InspireStudio\Plugins

Sample C++ Plug-in

A sample C++ plug-in is included in C:\Program Files\Altair\2022\InspireStudio2022\st\PDK\examples-cpp

Sample Python Scripts

Sample Python scripts are included here:
  • C:\Program Files\Altair\2022\InspireStudio2022\st\PDK\examples-python\Scripts
  • C:\Program Files\Altair\2022\InspireStudio2022\st\PDK\examples-python\Plug-in\pdkexamples

Saving Python Scripts

You need to save your Python scripts to C:\Users\<username>\Documents\Altair\2022\InspireStudio\Scripts. Once saved to this location, you can easily access the scripts by right-clicking in the modeling window and selecting User scripts > Manage scripts from the contextual menu.

Inspire Studio PDK Documentation

For more details, see the Inspire Studio PDK documentation:
  1. Go to C:\Program Files\Altair\2022\InspireStudio2022\st\PDK\Doc.
  2. Double-click the index file.