Writing plug-ins for Adobe (Reader and PhotoShop) using .NET(C#)

Question

I want to write plug-ins for Adobe products in .NET (C#) (specifically Acrobat Reader and PhotoShop). The requirement is to add a new command in the File menu. So for example in Acrobat Reader, I need to add a new "File >> Open My File" command that displays my dialog to open some file.

I have heard about the Adobe Development Kit. Is there a project type or some wizard in Visual Studio through which a plug-in can be created?

Answer 1

There is no special SDK for Reader. Only one for both Acrobat Pro/Standard and Reader. Some functions may or may not be available -- depending on your target application.

The plug-in SDKs for Reader/Photoshop come with samples. And also Visual Studio wizards (at least for Acrobat 8 SDK -- they did). I am assuming that you'll get one for Photoshop as well. Please take a look at the documentation/samples bundled with the SDK.

The SDKs are essentially C/C++ APIs. So you'll need to use P/Invoke or some other similar hack to call this native code from your .NET application.