I get a ClassNotFoundException when I try to configure after adding an annotated class from a jar that is not on the classpath.

I am able to create the Class object from the class file in this external jar (meaning it isn't on the runtime classpath).

I use this object as the parameter call to .addAnnotatedClass()

The configuration fails with a ClassNotFoundException, it looks as if internally Hibernate is attempting to load this class from the runtime classpath and it isn't there so an AssertionException is raised.

Any ideas on how to resolve this?

problem might be in .hbm file class path shoud not be mentoned.

I am not using a .hbm file. I am adding an annotated class by a code call.

Is an .hbm file required when adding an annotated class?

Here is the root exception I am encountering:

Caused by: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: ELenderCDO
at org.eclipse.osgi.internal.loader.BundleLoader.findClassInternal(BundleLoader.java:494)
at org.eclipse.osgi.internal.loader.BundleLoader.findClass(BundleLoader.java:410)
at org.eclipse.osgi.internal.loader.BundleLoader.findClass(BundleLoader.java:398)
at org.eclipse.osgi.internal.baseadaptor.DefaultClassLoader.loadClass(DefaultClassLoader.java:105)
at java.lang.ClassLoader.loadClass(ClassLoader.java:248)
at java.lang.Class.forName0(Native Method)
at java.lang.Class.forName(Class.java:247)
at org.hibernate.annotations.common.util.ReflectHelper.classForName(ReflectHelper.java:143)
at org.hibernate.annotations.common.reflection.java.JavaReflectionManager.classForName(JavaReflectionManager.java:117)
at org.hibernate.cfg.BinderHelper.getPropertyOverriddenByMapperOrMapsId(BinderHelper.java:677)
... 55 more

It appears that hibernate is internally using the system class loader, which will not be able to find this class.
Is there anyway to configure hibernate to use a custom class loader?