The main new features of this release are:
- A redesigned GUI based in part on the ideas from ExtMan, by mnesarco
- Filtering the list of addons by regular expression
- Preference Pack installation support
- package.xml metadata support for better addon info display
- Multi-level data caching to improve responsiveness on slow connections
- Run macros without installing them
- Auto-install macro toolbar buttons on installation
- Improved display of README and Wiki page data
- More reliable SSL network connections
- Better proxy support
Known issues (updated 20 Dec 2021)
- QtNetwork dependency is missing from some packages (to workaround, in some cases you can manually install the python3-pyside2.qtnetwork package)
- Addon Manager window sometimes loses focus on Windows
- Implement "offline mode"
- Remove parameters on uninstall
- Find a way to eliminate redundant macros
- Add support for nested/referencing packages
- Support macros installed as packages
Here's a look at the new interface, in "Expanded" mode:
For addons that provide a package.xml metadata file (fetched from their git repository and cached locally on the first run), the Addon Manager now displays several additional pieces of information (thanks to @Chris_G for being an early adopter!). It is also no longer necessary to commit your addon's icon to the main FreeCAD repository, it can be fetched dynamically by the Addon Manager (and is of course cached locally). Eventually this will be expanded to read the metadata stored in macros as well.
There is also a "Compact" view if you prefer:
You can filter the list by typing some term in the filter box:
The filter box accepts regular expressions (case-insensitive):
Clicking on an Addon brings up the README file from the addon's repo, or the description (if it's a macro):
Finally, the settings for the Addon Manager have been moved into the main Preferences dialog:
This has been merged as of git commit acfde1a4b (on 18 Dec 2021). There are still many features I'd like to add to it: please feel free to suggest your own ideas below, as well as to post bug reports (it's a 5000+ line code change, so there will certainly be some!). Thanks!