Zenipex

The Zenipex Library

Windows Redist(ributable)s

These programs will make sure that end users have installed the libraries needed to run your game, provided that you compiled your executable in Release mode rather than in Debug mode.

Valid for

If using other versions, get your own redists.

The Release package (see below) contains a slightly different set of redistributables, including an offline DirectX installer.

Building a Windows Installer

This contains a (GPL'd) program that generates a good nsi (NSIS) file from a tweakable "Zeni NSIS Settings.txt".

Valid for

If using other versions, get your own redists.

The Redist package (see above) contains a web-install of DirectX rather than the more limited offline installer included in this package.

Instructions

  1. Make sure that you compiled your executable in Release mode rather than in Debug mode.
  2. Prepare your 'zenilib/' directory.
    • The directory storing your game must be 'zenilib/' when building the redistributable.
    • I recommend making a copy of your actual 'zenilib/' directory and stripping out whatever garbage files you do not wish to distribute with your game. If you want to keep your game close source (bah) remove your source code as well.
      • You may find the batch scripts in 'zenilib/clean/' helpful:
        zenilib_clean_extra.bat/py - Will strip unnecessary files generated while using Visual Studio
        zenilib_strip_sources.bat/py.unsafe - Will wipe your source code - RUN AT YOUR OWN RISK
  3. Extract the release package (if you haven't already).
  4. Edit 'Zeni NSIS Settings.txt'
    • Ensure that the definition for 'EXECUTABLE_FILE_X86' matches the x86 .exe launcher name in 'zenilib/'. Similarly, ensure that 'EXECUTABLE_FILE_X64' matches the x64 .exe launcher name in 'zenilib/'.
    • 'PRODUCT_NAME' should be changed to match the name of your game.
    • 'PRODUCT_VERSION' should be changed to match the version number of your game (e.g. '1.0').
    • 'PRODUCT_PUBLISHER' should be changed if you are not affiliated with Wolverine Soft.
    • 'PRODUCT_WEB_SITE' should be changed if you have a website for your game.
    • 'PUBLISHER_WEB_SITE' should be changed to your website, or to your organization's website.
  5. Run 'Zeni NSIgen.exe' to generate 'Zenilib.nsi'.
    • If you have problems running it, try running 'zenilib/redist/visualc/vcredist_x86_9.0.30729.17.exe'.
    • Alternatively, rebuild 'Zeni NSIgen.exe' from the included source.
  6. Use NSIS to compile 'Zenilib.nsi' into an installer.
  7. Test the installer (ideally on a fresh install of Windows XP or lower).