My goal is to use rqt_image_view plugin (which is written in C++) inside my own custom rqt plugin (also in C++). Unfortunately using an rqt perspective is not an option for my application. Things I've tried:

• I've skimmed through the rqt code base, mainly rqt_gui_cpp and qt_gui_cpp. I could not figure out how the whole system is laid out (i.e. how rqt internally works). Is there any design documents regarding this?
• I've also tried to use pluginlib::ClassLoader to load rqt_image_view, but it fails. The code sample is here.

It fails with the following error:

Error: According to the loaded plugin descriptions the class rqt_gui_cpp/Plugin with base class type Plugin does not exist. Declared types are 

I might be using pluginlib in a wrong way with rqt plugins. I also think I might need to use the helper functions in qt_gui_cpp to load the plugin. Any help/suggestion is really appreciated.