Query on Zenpack build alternatives

I have a query regarding the build process of Zenpacks. With respect to document http://community.zenoss.org/docs/DOC-3196, section #5. BUILDING AND DISTRIBUTING ZENPACKS, it is mentioned that we can use "python setup.py bdist_egg" to create the egg file out of Zenpack. Just wanted to know if that is the recommended way to creating Zenpack egg file or exporting through Zenoss UI is the only way. Or is there some other way to achieve this task, using command line. Since by using the bdist_egg command, I won't be able to create object.xml. So want to know if there is some way to build the Zenpack code and also create updated object.xml without using the UI.