Raw files: create all files into a special folder for CD/DVD use, to create setups with 3rd party setup makers or to integrate your application into other application structures.

Applies to:
Finish your application - the build function

This method creates all files into a directory of your choice. Since this plain method does not offer an installation routine, it is the method to use if you want to burn your project on a CD or DVD, create a setup with a third party installer, or to integrate your application into an existing application structure. All generated files are necessary for executing the application. Launch the "ApplicationName.exe" to run it.

Important Note: Raw means, that all the files are separately accessible and the whole folder contents (inclusive sub folders and all files) are needed to run the application afterwards. The executable file generated during this method is only the runtime module, which needs all the files in the folders Graphics, Sounds and Additional, as well as the Config.BOB file.

 

File structure of a "Raw" build: all files are created in a folder with subfolders as in the example to the right, where a program called BobBrowser has been created.

To run the program afterwards you need to doubleclick the BobBrowser.exe file.
 

 

Advantages:
- perfect for CD/DVD menus and general launch from CD.

- possibility of integration into existing programs, file structures of other app's.

 

 

Target Directory
This determines in which directory all the raw files will be generated and saved.

To change the target directory, press the folder icon to the right of the input field, which opens a folder dialog where you can choose or create a directory.

Open target directory in explorer after building:
If you want to test the generated program immediately, check this box in order to open the target directory in a windows explorer window after the build process has finished.

Filename
Here you may enter the filename of the executable to be generated. A double click on this file will launch your application.

Important note: do not confuse this with a single exe-file generated by the executable method. The executable file generated here is only the runtime module, which does need all other files in the directory to run.

Encode Config-File
Every application made with BrowserBob loads a configuration file where all information about the application is saved. This file can be edited with a text editor or a word processor. In most cases you would not want to open these data for public editing - you would want to hide them from the user. In this case make sure the
Encode Config-File option is checked. Consequently your configuration file will be encrypted to make it unreadable/unchangeable by unauthorized parties.


Icon

This indicates the executable's iconic display. Click on the thumbnail to assign your own icon. A file dialog will appear where you may select an image of your choice: BMP, GIF, JPG, ICO file formats are supported. You may as well enter the path and filename into the text field to the right of the icon preview.

If the selected image is larger than 32x32 pixels, it will be shrunk to these dimensions. If the image has more than 256 colors it will be reduced to 256 colors.
 

TIP: invisible colors (non rectangle icons) will only work if you create an original 32 x 32 pixels icon in your graphics editor. Shrunk icons will not be able to have transparent areas (alpha color).

 

Alpha Color
Icons may have transparent areas. To obtain this, you need to determine an Alpha Color which represents the pixels that will be shown transparent. Determining the Alpha Color can be done in two different ways:

1. by clicking the color box to invoke a color selection dialog and choosing a color, or
2. by clicking the pick icon right to the color box first and then clicking on the part of the icon that shall be transparent.

TIP:
invisible colors will only work for icons if you create an original 32 x 32 pixels icon.

Build Button
After all settings have been made, you can start the compilation process by hitting the Build Button.

This process is going to take a few seconds - watch the progress bar. A status message beneath the bar indicates when your application is ready to use.

Your application is now finished and ready to run. Click Close to exit the build dialog.
 

 

Doubleclicking the executable file (*.exe) in the target directory will launch your application. Please make sure you close the application before building again.

Distribution of raw applications:
In order to distribute the raw application, you need to copy all files from the target directory including subdirectories. The application can only run with this exact directory structure. If you zip the files, please make sure to store path information in the zip file.

NOTE: the generated application is fully independent from the BrowserBob development environment and can not be opened in project mode anymore. Thus make sure to save your project file before you exit BrowserBob.

 

Related topics:
Bulding

Build dialog

File structure of BrowserBob applications

Creating multimedia CD/DVDs