Tool plugin panels with flex GUI

You could give a look at FreedGrid/UI or StrikeFilter/UI projets. (sdk samples).

You will definitely find everything you are asking for.

1- How to set your plugin (tools,menus, notifications and communication).

2- How to set your extension (communication with your plugin, show, hide, load and unload extension).

Easy as 1,2,3!

Here is a sample code showing you how it works:

/* */ ASErr FreeGridPlugin::GoMenuItem(AIMenuMessage* message) {           ASErr result = kNoErr;           // Compare the menuItem selected (in the message) with our stored values to see if we do anything           if (message->menuItem == this->fAboutPluginMenu)           {                          // Pop this plug-in's about box.                          SDKAboutPluginsHelper aboutPluginsHelper;                          aboutPluginsHelper.PopAboutBox(message, "About FreeGrid", kSDKDefAboutSDKCompanyPluginsAlertString);           }           else if (message->menuItem == this->fMoveToNewAIMenu)           {                     if (freeGridDialogController)                     {                                    ASBoolean visible = freeGridDialogController->GetPanelReady();                                    if(visible)                               {                                              result = freeGridDialogController->UnloadExtension();                                              freeGridDialogController->SetPanelReady(false);                               }                               else                               {                                              result = freeGridDialogController->LoadExtension();                               }                     }           }           return result; }

Best reagards,

Thomas.