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Blender - NSIS script help required

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tanisthalon
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Blender - NSIS script help required

As most of you are aware Blender 2.46 was released the other day. I am looking at putting some time aside at the weekend to prep a new release. I have a few queries that I will post later for discussion.

LOGAN-Portable
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LOL Teaser :P

LOL Teaser Blum

FoxxEnoch
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And while we wait...

you can update the current BlenderPortable with a copy and a paste.

tanisthalon
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Update

Hi there,

For some reason I cannot get // to work on the tmp file anymore in the B.blend. The // at the beginning of a pathspec means "where the .blend file is currently saved". As it stands I cannot stop it from defaulting to sav e to the host on drive C.

I have posted a query and I am awaiting an answer.

The main thought I was to discuss is the placement of Python, whilst keeping the installer as it currently stands giving you the option to install Python:

Option 1 - Install it into its own specific folder as the current launcher, should be easier for cleaning up future installs etc.

Option 2 - Install directly into the Blender folder so both Blender and Python are located together. This means the script is a very simple one as Blender can read the Python files directly without any modification as my current script.

I was considering a side project when I get this out of the way to look at YafRay again as Blender communicates with YafRay via an XML file. This is a way off yet though and thats if I go ahead with looking into it. YafRay hasn't been updated in a while and the Blender internal render is fine for the average user.

Additionally I want to move away from the dual splash screen like GIMP etc and incorporate the traditional Blender splash with the PA splash. I believe that would be better but lets see what the community thinks. Also this would mean compiling my own version of Blender I believe as I cannot see the splash in the directories.

Any thoughts on the above?

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FoxxEnoch
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I redid my Blender launcher

I redid my Blender launcher so that it looks for PythonPortable in PortableApps. Seems to work fine for me, so I'm stickin with it.

tanisthalon
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Previous

My previous release was set up to read the Python Portable I did but I decided to move on from that at the last release I did on 2.45.

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tanisthalon
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No response

Unfortunately I have yet to receive a response. I will also look outside of the box as with all the python plugins available there must be one that covers what I am after. Unfortunately that may not work with the basic python that is with the standard Blender. I will keep you informed.

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John T. Haller
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Rewrite?

Can you rewrite the path to the tmp file on each launch with the launcher?

I think using a custom splash within Blender is the best bet. We've moved away from dual splashes for everything except OpenOffice.org and we're doing a custom one for 3.0.

By the way, Geoff, did you want to come on board here officially as a developer and make your releases here? You'd get the ability to edit your own pages, have a blog (if you want), write your own release notes, etc. And you've been around long enough that I think you'd make a good release tech, too.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

tanisthalon
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Possibilities

I can look into rewriting the tmp on each launch, I was hoping that the backslash was still usable or something to that effect with the default B.blend settings file. As I have very basic knowledge of nsis and generally bumble my way to the right result it takes me a little more time than most.

Yes I think a single splash is best too, I have had a quick look through and couldn't find the standard Blender splash so it looks like it needs recompiling from source. Something else that I need to get a bit of experience with.

I would love to be associated with the group as a developer and release them as official applications. The blog would definitely help as I basically closed the site off for a rewrite that still hasn't happened. I appreciate the offer as it is a great privilege. Unfortunately I am a little slow with releasing updates when it comes to changes that have a knock on effect like this current one with Blender. As long as everyone can be patient with me then I am all in, otherwise I may upset the odd visitor that expects releases instantaneously.

My background is 2D and 3D modeling. I work with both AutoCAD and SolidWorks. Blender was something I came across by accident that really picked my ears up around the same time I found this community. The releases etc I have done in the past are applications I found of interest and wanted to keep in a generic format on my pen drive. Blender is one of those applications that is becoming more and more powerful and definitely needs our community interest to help promote it as most people back off because of the interface.

Let me know your thoughts please. I am up for a challenge that I can enjoy and learn from at the same time and in the process give back to a great community.

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John T. Haller
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Recompile

I'd recommend against recompiling for the splash... it's a good amount of work just for that small change. And Blender's splash is odd... it comes up pretty late in the launch process. One major reason for a splash is to give the user quick feedback that something is happening. OpenOffice.org and GIMP's splashes do that.

I've set you up as a developer so you now have access to your own blog. We're not doing much with the blogs yet but will.

I think Blender would be a great fit for here and if they need more promotion, we can help with that.

I think with the update to the tmp file and adding in a splash to the launcher and possibly hiding the console window (those frighten many users) it would be ready for a development test.

Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!

tanisthalon
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Thanks

Thanks for the feedback John. I will look into this over the weekend. I will probably have to query a few things with the other devs, probably over IRC (sure I have seen that you guys have a channel in a thread somewhere).

Thanks for the opportunity to contribute also.

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tanisthalon
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As yet unlucky

I have browsed through the NSIS FAQs etc and posted on the forum discussion board and have come out unsuccessful. Can anyone give any suggestions or guidance on the actions John has asked me to implement 'with the update to the tmp file ... and possibly hiding the console window' for the first development test for 2.46?

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Patrick Patience
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Well

To hide the console window, you could use the line in Toucan that executes it with the console window hidden (Toucan-Launch.nsi), and the have it launch a seperate execution string which could be ExecWait $EXEDIR\App\Blender\blender.exe, I believe Simeon did this with AssaultCube Portable.

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Cheers

Thanks I will check that one out.

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tanisthalon
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Implemented

I checked both of those and you where correct. I have implemented it and it hides the console fine although my first attempt opened 3 Blender screens which was interesting. Strange though because of this script addition the Blender Official Splash will not close until the mouse is moved etc. Thanks again Patrick.

Now I just need to get the C:/TMP to write direct to the USB root with some form of rewrite.

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I always find those (open

I always find those (open source) apps that open a console window very strange. I would rather not have some console window. But it has to be said it is useful. For example it displays (script) errors and other information.

Do you visit portableapps on IRC to discuss Blender Portable issues?

tanisthalon
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Console

Yes I find the console useful to. When I release the update it will have a second script for anyone to compile with the console visible as previous releases.

I rarely get chance to get on IRC.

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tanisthalon
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NSIS script help required

I have updated the entry title instead of adding a new thread.

I am having trouble implementing into the script code that will help me get Blender 2.46 into development test phase.

My predicament is that Blender defaults to write junk files to the root drive of the host e.g. c:/TMP. I cannot really just copy and delete on closure because TMP is used by other programs to leave data etc, some even use it to setup for install. The files it leaves are the crash report and jpg's from render animations of the top of my head.

I need to write into the NSIS script to redirect this activity direct to the root of the USB device it is on instead when the program is launched. Not sure if this requirement will also need some form of HDD detection code also.

I have made an inquiry over at the NSIS forum but with no luck whatsoever.

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I'm unsure why the temp

I'm unsure why the temp folder used cannot be relocated using command line anymore. I doubt if you can catch this on the fly and redirect it. If you need to know the current drive(letter) you could use cpystr 2 (or 3, cant remember exact atm.) from the exedir variable.

And if you would use a temp folder, you might not use just the root of the removable drive.. Maybe X:\Temp, X:\Documents\Temp or X:\PortableApps\BlederPortable\Data\Temp would be more appropriate. Maybe John could give a pointer about temp folders used by portable apps.

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