How to escape plugin notation in App::uses() for CakePHP 2.x

Question

I'm using CakePHP 2.7 and want to use a Vendor class by stating
App::uses('TCPDF', 'tecnick.com/tcpdf');

Cake complains because it is trying to load a file from the tecnick plugin.
I actually am aiming for a vendor class in /vendor/tecnick.com/tcpdf.
The confusion is obviously caused by the dot in the vendor filepath.

How do I escape the dot in App::uses()?

Answer 1

You can try

App::uses('TCPDF', '.tecnick.com/tcpdf.php');

Or use

App::import('vendor', 'TCPDF', array('file' => 'tecnick.com/tcpdf.php'))

Answer 2

You need to use App::import, plugin should be in App/Vendor folder and full stop needs to be escaped:

App::import("Vendor", "tecnick\.com/tcpdf.php");