CAD tip # 7944:

Application developers can distribute a specially formatted package ".bundle" containing all neccessary components of the given application, plus a XML control file PackageContents.xml. The structure of this XML file can be found in the documentation for developers (ADN).

The ".bundle" folder (e.g. "MyApplication.bundle") can be just copied as a subfolder to the folder:

C:\Program Files\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins

(for all users) or to user-specific folders (in XP):

C:\Documents and Settings\{usrname}\Application Data\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins

or (in Win7/Vista):

C:\Users\{usrname}\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins

The add-on application (here: "MyApplication") will be then loaded automatically. You can load such applications not only on launching AutoCAD, but also during a drawing session. Detecting ("sniffing") of the new/current status of the ".bundle" subfolders can be invoked manually, just by starting the APPAUTOLOADER command. This command loads any program modules, extends your AutoCAD menu and "teaches" your AutoCAD new functions and commands defined in the respective application.