get plugin output as a template variable

[business +]

Currently, the plugins return a value which we use in the template using get_plugin. The plugin outputs using
"return $value".

In the plugin file, how can I output the value into a template variable. I added the following code at the bottom of plugin file, hoping I could use {$value} in the template. But doesn't work.

		$class_tpl->assign('value',$value);
		$class_tpl->assign('body','viewlistings2.tpl');

thanks for any help.

[seymourjames +]

This seems to have come up before- do a search on the forum. The way round it if I remember correctly is to undertaken your tests and output from the plugin itself.