Problem with install settings
I have an application that will present approx. 300 images to people. The file names are contained in a list object and every 2 seconds, the next image in the list is presented.
I want a stand alone application that will not require users to have a folder containing all the images. (The application is for a memory test so I don't won't users to readily be able to view the images outside of using the application).
I've been trying to edit the install settings to add the necessary files but when I try to build the install program it doesn't work and I get an 'internal error.'
Does anyone know either a way to get around this error, or to present a large number of images without requiring users to have them stored in the current directory?
Thanks.
Re: Problem with install settings
Well, you can include them as binary data in the binary data tab of the data elements editor, and then you could keep them inside the exe. I can't always remember what all has to be done for it, but I think it's as simple as extracting it with an event from the special object (it will go to a temp path name) but you have to always use the full path displayed in the binary tab for it to work. If you need an example then I can try my hardest to make one. ;)
Re: Problem with install settings
Could You do that LB? That would be great.
Marv
Re: Problem with install settings
OK, here I have done a test app and figured out how it works! :D It will only work correctly when compiled, so you can't just run it from MMF2.
-What you do is you go to the Data Elements browser (musical note & paper icon next to frame editor icon) and go to the Binary Data tab.
-Add all the files you want to the list. Take note of the path name, as you will need that for the event coding.
-With events, extract the binary file to a temp folder. It ask for a file name. Give it the FULL PATH as seen in the Data Elements Binary Data tab!
-When you want to use the file, use the expression from the file object to get the temporary file path. Again, give it the FULL PATH as seen in the Data Elements Binary Data tab!
When you're done with the file you should release it using the action in the special object. And, again, give it the FULL PATH as seen in the Data Elements Binary Data tab.
That's it! Here is my test application & mfa to show it:
http://www.LB-Stuff.com/MMF2/EmbedBinary.zip
I don't really have a drive "L:\", I shared a folder on my computer and then used the Map Network Drive under the tools menu of Windows Explorer. (Can be done from My Computer folder) The reason I did this is, believe it or not, if you open the exe file in an editor of some sort, you can find the pathname in there several times! So, I did this to shorten the path name and also keep my privacy about where the files were actually located. (I don't want files cluttering up my root directories of my drives lol)
Feel free to bookmark this as you may need it for reference! (I have to bookmark it too)
EDIT: user1, please note that the only time you have to handle all of your images files independantly is when you add them to data elements. After that you can use regualr expressions for each file if they are numbered or whatever. ;)
Re: Problem with install settings
LB, hard work on this one, I'm going to play around with this, as it will be really useful. Thanks.
Marv
Re: Problem with install settings
Looki helped me a lot on this a while back. ;)
Re: Problem with install settings
Thanks to Looki too!
Marv
Re: Problem with install settings
Thanks for the response.
Unfortunately I'm still having trouble - I'm not a very experienced MMF user.
I've added the files I need under the Binary data tab but how do you extract them to a temporary folder???
Sorry if this is really obvious.
Re: Problem with install settings
Don't be sorry. :) Look at the included example MFA and EXE in the zip in my post up there.