[Adrian Schneider]

If you want to print_r to a variable, use "print_r($var, true)" the second arguement makes it return instead of echo/print it.

I always just do it in the file I'm working on (which is usually a custom file, not a vB file... even if it is a vB file, just put it back after because that is MUCH easier than working with plugins for debug code).

Try using vBulletin's print_r function. I think it is is functions_misc.php (either print_array() or print_ar(). It is a formatted version of print_r.