This section describes the elements of the Showcase architecture that have been exposed for use by add-in developers.
The Showcase API exposes three important aspects of the Showcase architecture that are of great use in add-in development. First, it exposes the Showcase Message Passing Architecture, a simple yet powerful service for passing formal Messages that are treated in real-time by the running Showcase application. When your add-in triggers a native Showcase menu item, for example, it does so by way of a Message.
Second, it exposes the Showcase interpreter services, the means by which you can incorporate new Messages into the Message Passing Architecture. Adding new Messages to the system allows you to send custom Messages that will be understood and treated by your own add-ins.
Third, developers of advanced add-ins will appreciate that the SDK also exposes the Scene Graph, the hierarchy of nodes representing the scene on display in the Showcase viewport.
This section begins with an overview of the Message Passing Architecture. It then expands on the discussion by presenting guidelines for adding your own custom Messages to the system. The advanced topic of the Scene Graph is also covered.
