Digital Workshop

Since the setup program that comes with Opus is very limited I am creating my own setup program. I have in fact finished the program with the exception of one small detail. There are 6 different files that I want to install with this (setup program), but I would like for all of the files, to be within the install. exe file. In other words, I want to wind up with one file (example: install.exe) and have the other 6 files (including the program executable) embedded within the install file. I'm sure I'll slap my forehead once I see how to do this. It seems as though I should know, but I just can't recall.

Thanks for any help offered.

In 5.5XE use tools, distribution wizard and on the second screen add the extra files and executables that you want included in your distribution.

Thanks, but the whole point is to not use the distribution wizard. I have created my own distribution software. I'm trying to figure out how to put all of the files into my setup.exe software and wind up with one exe file to distribute.

Just curious, but can I ask why?

My experience is that the distribution wizard works fine for some of the complex projects I've done. I've also tried a few other distribution/instalation programs, and they too have worked fine, but no better than the distribution wizard.

Hi Ray,

You're talking functionality and I’m talking esthetics. I am a graphic artist by trade, and while I agree that the distribution wizard works fine, mine looks much better. Doing it this way, I can completely control how it looks and what it says at any point during the setup. The whole point of distribution software is to put several files into a folder of the user’s choice on their computer. I have already created my distribution program. It looks great and it works fine. Now the last thing I need to accomplish is to be able to embed the files into my distribution software program.

Interesting approach

How have you created this setup? The whole point of installer programs is to distribute multiple files in one file, so it should be a fundamental feature of any piece of installer software. InnoSetup, NSIS and Advanced Installer are all free or come in free versions and will allow you to create custom setups. Wise and InstallSheild are amongst the many commercial products if you want support and backup.

Hi Duncan,

Here is an image of the program. As you can see at this point in the program you would be at the “Destination Folder” screen having already had the first three screens come up with relevant information on each. Each time a screen has been completed the light turns green beside the title of the screen. The text input box is a variable called destination with a default value of C:\pd-Base (the name of the program to be installed in this example). The browse button has a left click command of “Directory Browse” storing the information in the variable called destination (which of course would over write the default value if used). There is a green bar that will go across the page while the files are being copied to the user’s computer.



Clicking on the Next button will take you to another screen called Copying Files. That screen has a hidden button with the on show command of copy file.

From < Location >
to <Destination>\pd-Base.exe\

On the “to” part: Whatever the value of the destination variable is would be where the files would be copied to.

It is the “from” part, or < Location > that is the problem. Right now I can point to the files on my hard drive. I would like to be able to embed these files within my setup program and use the destination feature (above) to install these files on the user’s computer.

As you can see, if the files can be embedded it will give all users of Opus Pro the ability to create their own setup programs. I will gladly share the .imp file with generic artwork for all Opus users to download, if I can just figure out how to embed the installation files and have them copy from within the one setup.exe file.

So since I've not heard back from Duncan on this does that mean...

#1- It can't be done.
#2- It can be done, but no one knows how.
#3- Too complicated to try and explain how it's done.
#4- Yes it can be done, but I haven't had time to get back to you.

Surly there is someone out there who would like to
express their knowledge and skills to everyone.

There is no simple way to use Opus to create a single file installer for other files - I'm afraid that it simply isn't designed for that. The only way I could think of doing it would be to ZIP the required files and unzip them to the required target, but you would still need an external ZIP and a command line ZIP tool to process it.

If you want to produce a custom installer, all of the products I mentioned before are designed for the job and will allow varying degrees of customisation. Certainly NSIS would let you create any sort of installer you want, since it is entirely script based. Unfortunately it is not a friendly piece of software - the scripting language is a stack based system with registers rather than named variables. However it is completely free.

Add them to the Additional Resources

___________________________________________

When you have explored all avenues of possibilities, what ever remains, how ever improbable, must be the answer.

I have to admit, the setup graphic looks really professional

I like how one can see the entire progress of the installation as it goes from one stage to the next.

Well done Denn

Cheers

Graham

Thanks for your response Duncan. Perhaps this would be a good add on for Opus in the future. The ability to include several executables within a single executable file would have many advantages including giving users the opportunity to do what I have been attempting. I have already tried some of the products you were talking about. I have software that will do the job including the install software that comes with Opus, but I wanted to have total control over what was shown and the only way to do that would be to create it myself. I suppose I will set this program to the side and wait for this to be added to Opus in the future. OR perhaps...
Opus could make it's own install software completely customizable. Now that's a thought!

Thanks Graham, that's a very nice thing to say and I appreciate it greatly.

Hi Denn,

Did you miss the post! You embed the exe with the ADDITIONAL RESOURCES!