Sketchup registry key ?

Chris Fullmer

Its for an installer, not a ruby script I think.

TIG

Aaahhh...

filcole

I used WiX (http://wix.sourceforge.net) to create an MSI installer for Sketchup. It can detect the registry setting HKLM\Software\Google\Google Sketchup 7\InstallLocation and install the plugin in the plugins sub-folder.

WiX is a pain in the arse to learn and use, but it's the only open source installer that creates MSIs that I could find.

Jim

What is a MSI, how it it different/better than what is made by Inno for example?

Installing Ruby scripts in most cases is simply a matter of copying files to the correct location, and possibly registering an uninstaller. It has always been hard for me to justify creating a half-meg installer (or more) for a plug-in that is a few Kb. (Although a meg is not as big as it used to be.)

Does there exist some sort of .zip installer?

tomasz

I have already created Win installer using NSIS. It reads SU installation locations from the registry. It has small overhead over compressed data size (34 KB with default options).

Thanks TIG for such a comprehensive explanation, but I need it for an installer.

I want to let a MAC user chose for which already installed SU version have my plugin added.

Dan Rathbun

@jim said:

What is a MSI, how it it different/better than what is made by Inno for example?

An 'MSI' is a nickname used for Microsoft Installer packages, the acronym for THE Microsoft Installer (aka the Windows Installer,) and also the file extension of the MS Installer database that is created with the MSI. These databases you will have seen with numbered filenames, are placed in the %SystemRoot%\Installer (hidden) folder.
The MSI can also create .MSP files, which are Windows Installer Patch files.

Different: I downloaded the MSI SDK a few years ago, and started to learn it, but after a half hour, I gave up. It is extrememly complex (or perhaps it's Microsoft's way of confusing documentation and terminology.) It does not have package wizards like Inno. You have to use setup style scripts, and multiple tools (it's a multistep process.)

I looked at some of the install package applications out there such as the Wise Installer and InstallShield, but the price was in outerspace! (like thousands of dollars.)

I intend, if I have a complex package, to use Inno.
I downloaded a SketchupInstaller.iss template for Inno, that looks so simple, I just am itchin' to try it out.

Yes, the Nullsoft NSIS is an alternative.

Dan Rathbun

@jim said:

Does there exist some sort of .zip installer?

As I recall, WinZip could create self-extracing archives (.exe extension,) with a 'suggested destination folder'. When run, a confirm dialog popus up, allowing the user to override with a browse button, or simply edit the destination path in the edit control box.
Still in use today, but I believe is a pay WinZip Pro version that only will do this.

Cabinet files (.CAB) are free and native to Windows, I believe at least the extract exe is installed on all Win32 machines; the cab maker (filename slips my mind,) is in the SupportTools package. BTW, MSIs use cab by default I believe.