How to deploy add-ins to other users

Summary
Add-ins can be deployed to users by using configurations or by directly sharing add-in files with users. This topic describes the different ways add-ins can be deployed in the ArcGIS Explorer application.

In this topic

About deploying add-ins

To use an add-in in ArcGIS Explorer, deploy it on the target machine so it can be shown in the application. Add-ins can be deployed to users using very simple methods. The deployment options are different to deploying standard .NET executable projects.
Deployment of ArcGIS Explorer add-ins requires that the end-user machine have the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installed. For more information, see ArcGIS Explorer System Requirements.

Deploying add-ins

Do the following steps to deploy add-ins to other users:
  1. Start ArcGIS Explorer with an application configuration that includes add-ins. Application configurations allow you to customize a number of aspects of ArcGIS Explorer for you and others in your organization. You can also include add-ins that you have developed or acquired as a basic function of the application presented alongside built-in functionality on the Ribbon, rather than via the Add-ins tab. Add-Ins added this way might appear on any tab on the Ribbon.
  2. You can share an add-in file (.eaz file) to users. Users can then browse to the add-in file in Explorer from the Resources page on the Application Options dialog box:
    1. In the application, click the ArcGIS Explorer button, then click the ArcGIS Explorer Options button.
    2. On the ArcGIS Explorer Options dialog box, click Resources in the left-hand list, then click the Add-Ins button. The ArcGIS Explorer Add-Ins dialog box appears.
    3. The ArcGIS Explorer Add-ins dialog box lists the add-in files and associated add-ins that you have installed. You can add additional add-in files by clicking the Browse button to navigate to the .eaz file that contains the add-ins you want to add to Explorer.
    4. After closing the dialog box, any Buttons, Galleries, or DockWindows in the add-ins are shown on the Add-Ins tab on the Ribbon.
In either case, Extensions do not have a user interface (UI), and do not appear on the Ribbon.
When you create an add-in project using the ArcGIS Explorer project templates, the add-in is automatically deployed for testing when the project is built.
For more information about adding add-ins and using application configurations, see the ArcGIS Explorer application Help system by clicking the Help button in ArcGIS Explorer. See the following screen shot: