Choose the extension package format
5
Choose the extension package format
Extension Manager CS5 supports various extension formats.
Extensions can be packaged into two file formats:
•
MXP extensions (with filename extension .mxp) for CS4 and earlier.
•
ZXP extensions (with filename extension .zxp) for CS5. The ZXP format is based on the ZIP
standard, and extensions in this format can be digitally signed to verify the identity of the
extension author. For more information, see
Creating a ZXP extension package
(version 5.0 only)
on
page
56
From extension function perspective, there are three kinds of extensions:
•
Ordinary extensions:
Any Adobe product-specific extension or plug-in that extends the functionality of an Adobe
application— such as a Dreamweaver extension or a Photoshop C++ plug-in. Ordinary
extensions were previously packaged as MXP files with Extension Manager CS4 or before, and
they require an extension installation (.mxi) file.
•
Creative Suite extensions (hereafter called
CS extensions
):
Flash-based extensions that can be installed and run in multiple Creative Suite applications,
built using the Creative Suite SDK. A CS extension must be a ZXP file, but it doesn't require
an extension installation (.mxi) file. You can’t create a CS extension with Extension Manager,
but such an extension can be installed or removed by Extension Manager CS5.
•
Hybrid extensions:
A package that contains both files that can be contained in an ordinary extension and a CS
extension. Hybrid extensions are used when the feature developed needs both a Creative Suite
Flash-based component and a native C++ plug-in or script file. This allows developers to build
extensions with rich Flash-based interfaces and still take advantage of the extended native
integration with the application. For more information, see
Creating Hybrid Extension
packages (version 5.0 only)
on
page
57
.
Consider the following when determining whether to use the ZXP or MXP format to package
your extensions:
•
If you want to create an ordinary extension, you can use either ZXP or MXP.
•
If your extension is not designed for CS4 and earlier, you should use ZXP.
•
If you want to create a hybrid extension, you should use ZXP.
•
If you want to digitally sign the extension, you must use ZXP. Fore more information, see
Creating a ZXP extension package (version 5.0 only)
on
page
56
For information on digitally signing extensions, refer to the Creative Suite SDK:
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/creativesuite/sdk