CGTalk - SDK Plug-in Usage ?

Muffin_Man

06-27-2008, 05:17 AM

I’ve seen this question asked a couple times, but people only seem to respond with opinions & havent pointed to any solid source.

I would like to know the position Autodesk takes with Plug-ins developed with their SDK. I am aware of the ADN, and intend to look in to it but would like to be aware of the issues relating to Plug-in Development.

Owning a licence for 3DSMax 8/9/08/09, can any plug-ins developed be sold or distributed alone or bundled with other softwares / packages.

Are there any required fees, royalities or other such fees.

Again, I’m looking for offical statements or direction on where to find them.

Thank you for your time.

ZeBoxx2

06-27-2008, 01:26 PM

If you want an -official- reply, you should try calling your Autodesk representative. They can put you in touch with the powers that be at Autodesk that can actually answer these questions directly, rather than implied as per the various sources at: http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=7481355

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Here's my unofficial stab at it.

With 3ds Max comes the SDK. The SDK does not impose any limits on distribution methods of any plugins you create, what - if anything - you charge for the plugins you create, nor any limits on the types of plugins you create. I'm sure it will be severely frowned upon if you were to create the world's first 3ds Max plugin virus, so try not to do that.

There are no fees and no royalties involved with just coding with what you've got.

You can join the ADN Sparks program for an annual fee. This gives you early access to 3ds Max and SDK/API data, access to debug builds, etc.

You can also try to get your plugin registered as a 'Certified' plugin. This means Autodesk will certify it to work with their software and with other certified plugins to the best of their ability, your plugin will be distributed via their certified plugin distributor (TurboSquid), etc. This, too, at a fee as well as royalties.

Both are entirely optional - the vast majority of plugins you'll find on e.g. maxplugins.de are from developers in neither program.

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