With Pixyz Studio, it is possible to build and share powerful plugins with the integrated scripting interface.

A plugin is written in Python and can be combined with the XML language to create a custom interface inside the application.


Why plugins?

Plugins can be created in Pixyz Studio for 2 distinct purposes:

  1. Add custom functionalities and behavior to Pixyz Studio, by creating dedicated Data Preparation tools with their own interface/menu/button, for example to automate repetitive tasks.
  2. Encapsulate Data Preparation scenarios to be executed in Pixyz Scenario Processor, a batching/automation software.


NOTE                Plugins developed for Pixyz Scenario Processor should be created and tested within Pixyz Studio, before being published to be run in Pixyz Scenario Processor. Please see Pixyz Scenario Processor GitLab page to find dedicated sample Scenario plugins.


How are plugins developed?

Plugins can be developed:

  • By you: Plugins can be easily created from scratch using the Plugin Editor, a dedicated tool for novice users wishing to start developing Data Preparation scenarios embedded in plugins. Advanced developers can use the scripting API and their favorite IDE (see Creating a Plugin), without using the Plugin Editor.
  • For you: Please contact Pixyz/Unity if you are interested in the creation of a bespoke scenario, based on your specific Data Preparation process.


Editable plugin vs. Published plugin

A plugin is composed of :

  • One or several Python script files (.py): they embed the Data Preparation code to execute
  • An XML file (.xml), that exposes the arguments to feed as input/output to the script(s)
  • Python modules dependencies


By default, a plugin is editable: all its files are accessible and can be modified, within Pixyz Studio using the Plugin Editor, or outside using an IDE.

A plugin that can be edited is an Editable plugin.


A plugin can be published in the form of a binarized archive file, with a .pxzext extension. It is then called a Published plugin, and can be run either by Pixyz Studio, or by Pixyz Scenario Processor.

A Published plugin, is an encapsulated, non-editable plugin, ready to be installed and used.

A Published plugin executed in Pixyz Scenario Processor is called a Scenario plugin.


Plugins folder locations

In order to be loaded and executed in Pixyz Studio, plugins must be placed in one of the following predefined locations on a computer:

  • ProgramData folder (%programdata%/PixyzStudio/plugins): place a plugin folder here to make it available for all computer users (see Creating a Plugin) -  recommended location 
  • AppData folder (%appdata%/PixyzStudio/plugins): place a plugin folder here to restrain plugin access to the concerned user (see Creating a Plugin)


At startup, Pixyz Studio loads all the plugins located in these 2 folders.


WARNING        Plugins cannot be loaded from a different location than these 2 locations!


Related topics

Refer to the following topics for plugin creation and management: