Orbiter Project Template (VC++ 2005 Express)

[Xantcha]

Starting new projects for orbiter in VC++ Express always was a big discomfort for me - I hated making all the configuration setting every time I started one. So the idea was to make a project template wizard to make it easier. Wasn't an easy task, since express has no tools for :-/

To install wizard just extract it into main visual studio folder.
It should work for other version of VS as well - but folder structure can be different - (You'll have to put VCProjects and WCWizard directories into corresponding folders).
After installing, open New project dialog in your VC++. There you will OrbiterAddon folder, choose it, then choose New Orbiter Vessel template - this will proceed to wizards GUI, which I hope is pretty self-explanatory.

Haven't tested it on any other machine, so I'll be glad if anyone could test it and prove that it works fine.

Of course this is not a final version of wizard, known issue so far:
-Configuration for projects allows to compile code right after creation of project (no monotonous property editing). But I am not an expert with VC++ 2005 so it may be suboptimal, any suggestion of what an ideal default configuration for vessel project should be are welcome.
-Vessel project template is very simple - what other templates should be included? Templates for panels or VC? Any ideas?
-I'm not an expert on java+activex solutions, so there is no "Browse" buttons for folder paths - you have to type it manually (but only once, since wizard saves configuration).

 

[Xantcha]

Well, does it work or there is something wrong with it?

 

[tblaxland]

Well, five downloads and no complaints. No news is good news perhaps?

A nice concept though. Personally, I don't write enough addons for setting up the configuration to be an issue.

 

[Xantcha]

tblaxland> I think you are right - no complaints is a good sign, besides creating projects is not the most important or often used task. (Unless you are like me and starts several different projects, each containing few modules : - )

I just wanted to know if it works, and what setting configuration settings can be considered optimal.
When it'll be confirmed as a reliable way to start projects, I'd like to put in OrbiterWiki (as an alternative way for setting VC configuration).

 

[Enjo]

Thanks. I'll try it once I have time for it. From what I can see, it's got what it needs.

 

[kais58]

hiya Xantcha couldyou do the same for VC++ 2008 as that would help me out loads.
thanks for this one too though.

 

[Xantcha]

kais58> Sorry, can't help you there (Don't have VC 2008 installed and am a bit limited on internet-traffic, to download it)
But unles MS made some really big changes, this template should *probably* work for Vc 2008 - as I said try puttin templates content of VCProject into VC 2008's VCProjects and do same for VCWizard folder. Should work, also I'm not 100% sure in it since haven't tried that. Try this if you can, and tell if it works or not.

 

[no matter]

Thanks
The template is working perfect here.

There is also two minor things you should be warned:
I don't know what can be done or not with a vc++ wizard but if possible it will be better to compile under /MT instead of /MD to get rid of the VC++ runtime libraries request.
The thruster model used (ShuttlePB's one) is not compatible with attitudeMFD3.0 (did no test with the newest versions), LandMFD & LolaMFD.

 

[tblaxland]

The thruster model used (ShuttlePB's one) is not compatible with attitudeMFD3.0 (did no test with the newest versions), LandMFD & LolaMFD.

For AttitudeMFD, if it does not work with v3.0 it won't work with v3.2 since the thruster interface is the same. I presume what you are referring to is the grouping of the thrusters.

 

[no matter]

For AttitudeMFD, if it does not work with v3.0 it won't work with v3.2 since the thruster interface is the same. I presume what you are referring to is the grouping of the thrusters.

Yes, exactly. Orienting on the pitch axis does not respond if more than 2 thrusters per group.
But using another thruster interface is ok

 

[Xantcha]

2 no matter: thanks for testing. Glad to hear that at least wizard is working fine.

About the template itself - I'll try to make the default arrangement of groups more attitudeMFD-compatible (current rcs grouping is not ideal for general-purpose autopilots).

It looks like when I set it to /MT "multithreaded", I need to add both msvcrt and msvcirt to ignore list (for /MD "multithreaded DLL" ignoring only msvcirt is enough). With /MT resulting dll is also a few kylobytes heavier.

I'm not to proficient with VC++, what other consequenses this can have? Should be this a checkbox option in wizard or just set it to /MT by default?

Any other suggestion for improving template or default configurations?

 

[no matter]

2 no matter: thanks for testing. Glad to hear that at least wizard is working fine.

About the template itself - I'll try to make the default arrangement of groups more attitudeMFD-compatible (current rcs grouping is not ideal for general-purpose autopilots).

It looks like when I set it to /MT "multithreaded", I need to add both msvcrt and msvcirt to ignore list (for /MD "multithreaded DLL" ignoring only msvcirt is enough). With /MT resulting dll is also a few kylobytes heavier.

I'm not to proficient with VC++, what other consequenses this can have? Should be this a checkbox option in wizard or just set it to /MT by default?

Any other suggestion for improving template or default configurations?

Yes, you have to ignore both msvcrt.lib and msvcirt.lib.
The resulting .dll is heavier, I assume that infos originally included in the runtime libraries are directly included in the compiled .dll in this case.
I always use /MT, never seen a problem or a difference in the result.

If it was me I would set it by default but a checkbox option (with a short description of the consequences in size and runtime libs needed) might be better for everybody.

 

[Xantcha]

2 no matter: OK, since there is no drawback in it I'll set /MT to default.

I guess expirienced addon developers will not need it, but for those who only start using VC express this can be very helpful. That's why I wan't this template to work as smooth and optimal as possible.
I just spotted that template for consumekey callbacks returns 1 by defualt - no good, so I'll check template once more before posting it on wiki.

 

[streb2001]

... I'll check template once more before posting it on wiki.

Did you do this? I can't find it and I was looking forward to testing it.

 

[Xantcha]

Updated attachment in first post, added Wiki article

 

[Xantcha]

Finally installed VC express 2008. As it turned out my worries about directories layout were for nothing. They are nearly compatible - for it to work one minor change had to be made - in VC\Express\VCProjects\OrbiterAddon\OrbiterAddon.vsdir change line
Wizard=VsWizard.VsWizardEngine.8.0 to
Wizard=VsWizard.VsWizardEngine.9.0.

I have added 2008 version to 1st post.

 

[Pithecanthropu]

My system isn't allowing me to unpack the zip to my VCWizard folder, even using administrator privileges. This is using Visual Studio 2008 Professional. Does anyone know of a workaround? For example, is there a way to make the system look for additional wizards on my machine at project creation time?

 

[sorindafabico]

Downloaded ant tried with VC++ 2008 Express, but can't use. When I click "Finish", this message appears (bad translation from portuguese, maybe):

"Runtime Error Microsoft JScript
permission denied"

 

[orb]

"Runtime Error Microsoft JScript
permission denied"

What operating system, and where is the VC++ Express installed? If Vista or 7 (or 8), then have you tried to do the same as Administrator?

 

[sorindafabico]

I forgot to try this...

It's Vista. I'll try as administrator next time (VC is in Program Files).