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Silly-V
Silly-V
Legend
May 11, 2022
Answered

What is "Vulcan"?

  • May 11, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 12880 views

Vulcan.js is a file always included in documentation for CEP panels.

In simple terms, what is Vulcan.js for and what do people usually do with it?

I know a standard answer is, it helps talk to CC apps, and by the looks of the test panel CEP extension, it helps your extension talk to Creative Cloud.app, something called "CCXProcess.app" and Core Sync.app and finally CCLibrary.app.

Okay, so .. what can one do with these things using Vulcan, and what are they useful for?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Inventsable

Carlos' metaphor is pretty accurate. In general Vulcan allows you to do things like:

  • Communicate between two CEP panels running in two separate host apps (without a backend or something like WebSockets)
  • Programmatically launch an app from another (useful for cross-app workflows that are related like After Effects + PPRO, or PS + AI, AI + AE, early versions of Overlord from Battleaxe used Vulcan to send data between AI + AE)
  • See if a particular app (or version) is installed
  • Check if another CC app is currently running or focused
  • Find any installation paths

I've personally not seen anything from Vulcan about CCXProcess but I'd be curious to see how it could interact with Core Sync or the CCLibrary.

2 replies

Inventsable
InventsableCorrect answer
Legend
May 12, 2022

Carlos' metaphor is pretty accurate. In general Vulcan allows you to do things like:

  • Communicate between two CEP panels running in two separate host apps (without a backend or something like WebSockets)
  • Programmatically launch an app from another (useful for cross-app workflows that are related like After Effects + PPRO, or PS + AI, AI + AE, early versions of Overlord from Battleaxe used Vulcan to send data between AI + AE)
  • See if a particular app (or version) is installed
  • Check if another CC app is currently running or focused
  • Find any installation paths

I've personally not seen anything from Vulcan about CCXProcess but I'd be curious to see how it could interact with Core Sync or the CCLibrary.

    PECourtejoie
    Community Expert
    PECourtejoieCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 24, 2023

    Hi, @Inventsable I remember that you pointed out that there is no equivalent in the UXP world, which would make interoperability difficult or impossible. Pinging @kerrishotts is there an ETA for a similar Technology/Tool?

    Inventsable
    Inventsable
    Legend
    April 1, 2023

    Late reply but there are a variety of ways for interoperability in modern dev, including WebSockets which are supported in UXP. Vulcan wouldn't be needed to communicate between apps each containing a UXP plugin which communicate via some given port over a socket, though doing things like programmatically launching a given app (say you want a plugin in Illustrator to trigger After Effects or Photoshop to launch if not already open) might not be possible unless you can run shell or terminal commands.

    CarlosCanto
    Community Expert
    CarlosCantoCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 12, 2022

    don't quote me, if I remember correctly

    Vulcan is to CEP as BridgeTalk is to JSX

     

    to send messages between extensions? apps?

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