Data Elements dialogue

[RichardC]

Hi all

I'm trying to add files to the Data Elements dialogue in the Binary Data tab.

I can add files OK but the path to the files is always absolute (e.g. C:\MyWork\myapp\mydata\myfile.bin). Making my app break when the app is moved, or installed on a users machine.

The Add button only gives a file selector so there is no way to edit the path to a relative one (e.g. apppath$ etc).

The system is working and the exe grows as expected when the binary files are packed inside it. I just need to be able to get them out relative to the installed location of the exe on users machines.

Does anyone know please how to add data elements that are addressed relative to the app?

Thanks

Rick

[LB]

In the dialogue box that comes up there should be an "Expression..." button that will bring up the expresion editor.

[Yves]

The displayed filename is absolute but that doesn't mean your app will break when the app is moved. Have you tried? If that doesn't work, then there is a bug.

That works like for the other filenames in MMF2 applications (either in the properties of the objects or in parameters than get the filename from a selector, not from a calculated expression): MMF2 displays absolute pathnames but use relative pathnames when it's possible (i.e. when the file is in the directory of the application or in a sub-directory).

[RichardC]

Thanks Yves

I made a test app and the path becomes relative as you said. The problem lies with my app where the txt files I've packed into the exe only appear the first frame.

BTW I also managed to pack pdf files into the exe in my test app but they don't unpack and load into my app when I run it. Works fine with a compiled exe and the pdf's left outside. Is there any way to unpack them so they work when included in the exe?

Thanks

Rick

[Yves]

What action do you use to display them?

[RichardC]

Yves

I assume you are refering to the txt files mentioned in the first paragraph.

Specifically the txt files are loaded, at start of each frame, into a Dialog Box set to modal. This is opened via an active system box button and forms the 'About' box for my app.

In my 'real' app the txt files only appear in the first frame's Dialog box but are not there if you call the dialogue in later frames. I made a test app using the same system, and the text is loaded into the dialogue in each frame fine. So I've got it working there but not in my main app and I really can't see why.

The second issue concerning pdf files is similar in that I can get them to pack into the exe also but not to display in an app.

Would it help if I sent you the apps I mentioned? I would be very grateful if you would take a look.

Thanks

Rick

[Yves]

Yes, please send me your applications.

[Yves]

Thanks for sending me your applications. 2 problems :

1. The ActiveX object doesn't support embeded files, as MMF2 doesn't know if the string parameters of this object are filenames or simple strings. I'll try to add an action to extract embeded files to temporary files later, but I don't know when that will be done.

2. To make the feature work with the objects that support it (almost all the Clickteam objects), you have to pass full pathnames to the Load actions. For example in the Load text from file actions that don't work you have to replace "yourfile.txt" by Apppath$ + "yourfile.txt".

Hope this helps.

[RichardC]

Yves

Thanks for looking. An action to extract embedded files would be very useful.

I'd made a few careless mistakes in my test app pathnames, thanks for clearing up where I was going wrong.

Rick