Hi folks,
with build 15 I’m getting an error saying " – runtime error: error setting current directory c:\program files\frantic films\scripts"
I’d say it’s a simple one but I’m back to 13 for the mo 
Oh, looks like we broke the Max 8 installation (Max 9 works correctly).
The plugin was supposed to know the difference between 8 and 9 (they have slightly different installation structure). Something was changed there it seems.
Simple fix so you can run Krakatoa on Max 8 until we post a new build:
*Deinstall Krakatoa Beta 13
*Install Krakatoa Beta 15
*Before starting Max, go to folder
C:\Program Files\Frantic Films\Krakatoa\3dsMax8
*Open the file KrakatoaStartup.ms in a text editor like Notepad.
Change the line
–Get Krakatoa Home:
local theKRoot = FranticParticles.KrakatoaHome
to this:
–Get Krakatoa Home:
local theKRoot = FranticParticles.KrakatoaHome + “Krakatoa\”
*Save the file.
*Start Max 8 - now it should load correctly.
done and working
The real bug was actually in the installer which was supposed to put the Max 8 DLR into a sub-folder \Win32 just like it does with Max 9. Since the folder was not created on install, the KrakatoaHome variable resolved to one folder lower than usual and the startup script could not find the \scripts folder.
We fixed the installer this morning.
This does reinforce a bit my wish for a “dump” install option in the installer.
- Chad
You should be able to use the standard .msi logging options:
http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/9361d377-9011-4e21-8011-db371fa220ba1033.mspx?mfr=true
This does reinforce a bit my wish for a “dump” install option in the
installer.<<
I’m don’t follow your logic that dumping the files would prevent us from
making file placement and scripting errors. The application is always going
to require that a specific subdirectory structure be in place.
It shouldn’t be hard to dump files, even with the installer as is. You can
run the installer on any system, even one without 3ds Max, to get the files.
Go to \Program Files\Frantic Films\Krakatoa\ and everything you need is
there.
I’ll need to double check, but I think “installing” to max means simply
copying the icons to the UI path and adding a single path to the plugin.ini
file. For licensing, there is a single registry key created the first time
you run Krakatoa. You could easily export this key to a .reg file and batch
process all these updates.
You’ve asked for this a few times now. Am I misunderstanding your request?
- dave
At this point, the “copying icon to Max” step is not even implemented in the installer yet.
All the “Install to Max” feature does is put the Krakatoa path in the plugin.ini file.
It can be run multiple times for each Max version installed on a machine without reinstalling Krakatoa.
At Frantic, we have copied the whole directory structure created by the Installer to our central server and our internal synching app. just copies the whole bunch to each machine whenever it starts, thus ensuring that all workstations and slaves are running the same plugins. You can do this with a simple script or BAT file. All Krakatoa needs is the structure created at installation time to be preserved and the Max plugin.ini to point at the folder with the DLR in it. The DLR then gets its own directory and tells MAXScript where it is installed, resolving the KrakatoaHome variable by going two levels up. (This is where we broke Max 8 because the DLR was ONE level down from the root and not two).
Yeah, we have a plugin syncing system here too, and we’d rather control on our own which plugins get loaded when and where. I’m not the one doing the installs, I just pass it along to someone else who bitches and moans about having to run an installer, find the files and registry edits, and repackage them up for internal distribution.
I just pass it along to someone else who bitches and moans about having
to run an installer, find the files and registry edits, and repackage them
up for internal distribution. <<
Hehe… I could take advantage of this opportunity to generally bash IT
guys, but I would hate to upset our guys that help me keep the website
running.
I’ll ask around to see what options we have. I’m not sure if the installer
offers a silent “dump” option. The alternative would be to manually zip up
the files and publish a separate package. Personally, I would prefer to
avoid creating any confusion internally or for our customers resulting from
maintaining two versions.
Heya Chad,
This might do everything you need:
msiexec /package krakatoa0.9.15.msi /quiet
The only other manual configuration would be to add the Krakatoa path to any
relevant plugin.ini files.
Oh yeah, one more item...
There is an MSI editor available, for those cases where you want to alter
existing installers.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255905