# Use Sample Plugins

Cognex Designer allows you to develop your own custom project components (Task Blocks, HMI elements, or HMI chart control elements) from sample plugins. Developing custom components from these sample plugins require the following software to be installed on the PC:

- Microsoft Visual Studio 2017
- Cognex Designer
- .NET 4.7.2 SDK

The source code samples of the plugins are located in the Cognex Designer installation folder at the following location:

<X>:\Program Files\Cognex\Designer\4.4.2\samples\plugins

This folder should contain three sub-folders, one for each sample plugin supplied with Cognex Designer. See the applicable topics linked below for more information on them.

Note: To avoid having to open Visual Studio with Administrator privileges, copy the provided sample to a different folder before you start working with it.