Create Method Content: Create a Content Package

The goal of this exercise is to create a new Content Package within a Method Plug-in.

To create a new Method Plug-in:

1. Make sure you are in the Authoring perspective.

 

2. There are 2 ways to create a new method plug-in. Do one of the following:

 

• Use the File menu and select New then select Method Plug-in.

 



 

• Right-click on an existing plug-in in the tree navigator and select New Method Plug-in.

 



 

The New Method Plug-in wizard is launched.

 

3. In the New Method Plug-in wizard, provide a name for the new plug-in. In this instance, we'll call it "My Plug-in".

    

   

    

 

4. Select openup_basic in the Referenced Plug-ins: panel then click Finish. This means that your plug-in will extend the "openup_basic" plug-in and you will be able to select content from this plug-in as you create your own plug-in content.

   My Plug-in now appears in the Library View panel on the left side of your screen. It is not grayed out indicating that it is not locked and that you can edit it.

    

   

    

 

5. Double-click on My Plug-in to open the Plug-in editor. About halfway down the page you will see the Lock Plug-in checkbox. This will be unchecked for your new plug-in. If you open the plug-in editor for the "openup_basic" plug-in this field will be checked.

Now let's create a method content package in our new plug-in.

1. In the Library view panel, expand the tree node for My Plug-in by clicking on the + symbol, then expand the node for Method Content, then Content Packages.

 

2. Right-click Content Packages, then select New, then select Content Package to create a new Content Package.

   The Content Package editor is displayed.

    

   

    

3. Name the package "My Content Package" and enter some text in the Brief description field.

    

   

    

   Note: You cannot create a new content package or any other element in a locked plug-in.

 

4. Save your new content by closing the editor panel.

Note: When you create a new element or modify an existing element, a * symbol appears in the tab next to the name of the element, indicating that the element needs to be saved.

There are 3 ways to save an element:

• Close the Editor
• Click the disk icon in the toolbar
• Use the File menu then selecting Save

Note: EPF Composer automatically creates nodes for Tasks, Roles, Work Products and Guidance under the new content package.