Digital Workshop

Hi
I need to launch an exe file from within the opus publication and then burn it to a cd. Do I have to choose the SYSTEM CD DRIVE variable, so that the publication can find the file? I have already done this but it doesn't seems to work. What I want is to launch an exe file, and that this exe file to be inside the final Opus publication if possible, so that in the end I only have one exe file to burn to the cd. Is this possible?
Thanks for your help.

Hi Armindo

I'm a little unclear what you are trying to do. However, I'll take try at a potential solution:

If you want to create a single .exe Opus publication that within it can launch a second .exe file, you would set up the launch file action in the main pub wherever you need it, specify the file, for example, secondexecutable.exe, use a system variable, <SYSTEM_PUBLICATION_DIR> to specify where it will be found (this can be selected from the drop-down for that box in the launch file action dialog). Then be sure to include the second .exe file with any other files needed in your pub when you burn it to CD (plus an autorun ini file to specifically launch the main .exe file, the Opus pub itself).

Check this out as it may be useful. If this is not what you are trying to achieve, reply, and I'll try to help. Also, other Forum colleagues may add more "on target" solutions.

Kind Regards,
Stephen

Hi
Thank you very much for your help Stephen. I am still learning how to work with the script language and variables - in fact I'm still searching for a good book about this subject - and I have many difficulties when I need to do something more elaboreted. I didn't understand very well this part of your message: "specify the file, for example, secondexecutable.exe, use a system variable, <SYSTEM_PUBLICATION_DIR> to specify where it will be found". For specifying the file, do I write the file name where? In the same window where we choose the variables?

Best Regards

Armindo Ferreira

Hi Armindo

Take a look at the attached screen shot in the zipfile which shows where to place the file and system variable names.

Let me know if you need additional help.

Kind Regards
Stephen

(Sorry to jump in on your excellent help Stephen, but also Armindo may be implying only one exe):?:



Hi Armindo,

Armindo, you cannot actually embed another EXE file inside of Opus and only have one EXE. This can only be done when you are creating a Setup EXE from the Distribution Wizard. This is different -- as the Setup file is then run by the end-user to install your publication and any other extra files required. (including launched files)

In your case, you seem to be implying "embedding" another EXE into a standalone Opus EXE publication. This typically cannot be done, and you will need both EXE's on your CD.

Stephen is correct in suggesting you use the SYSTEM_PUBLICATION_DIR variable, as eventhough your files may be on CD, running the Opus pub is local to itself. The SYSTEM_CD_DRIVE variable is only needed when Opus is usually installed on a hard drive, but is required to find the path for another file on the first available cd-rom drive. (for e.g. your pub is on hard disk, but a huge 100mb video file is stored on a CD.)

Look at Stephen's screenshot... In his example, your launched EXE file must reside in the Opus publication directory. When you run Opus and you want your Opus publication to launch the other EXE, you must instruct Opus the path location where this launched EXE is to be found. Since it will reside in the same directory as Opus, you don't have to type out any hardwired path; but instead use the SYSTEM_PUBLICATION_DIR variable. This tells Opus the file is in the Opus directory.

Hope this helps.