How to use the Windows Deployment Tool

[Michael Houlberg]

Phil,

I’m OK on Mac.  I have a whole routine perfected for customizing the application, code signing, notarizing and packaging using Apple’s tools, pkgbuild, productbuild, and productsign.

But I’m a little clueless on the Windows side and encouraged when people say they use the Omnis Tool successfully.  I just get a folder, not a modified executable.  Maybe I don’t use the tool correctly or something.  I’m just hoping someone can explain how I get from the modified folder, which is the output from the Deployment Tool, to the executable.

Thanks,
Michael Houlberg
Houlberg Development, LLC

> On Jul 28, 2022, at 10:06 AM, Phil (OmnisList) <phil at pgpotter.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> Hi Michael,
> 
> Quick answer is no.
> 
> I already did what this tool does, as in change the strings etc. to change the name internally, and the icons within a contents of what you would see as an application...
> 
> However, I know someone who tried it on a mac, with relatively good success, as in that it changed a runtime Omnis application, on a mac, to a renamed and re-icon'd application, and I believe it also has the ability to codesign it for you, assuming you have an apple developer account...
> 
> So, I think it does work, in creating a renamed application, along with any extras you may add in, ie library, xcomps etc. but it does not create an installer.
> 
> I already did it the hard way, using Kelly's reference document, of some years ago...
> So for most, this is probably the easy way to do it.
> 
> On a mac, the 'application' is actually a special folder, of which you can see the contents, if you right click on it...
> Adding an 'exe' does not do it for you I'm afraid.
> The result from the tool, should be visible as an application though, not a folder...
> 
> Might just need to close the finder window, and go back to the folder, as in it might just be a refresh required.
> 
> regards
> Phil Potter
> Based in Chester in the UK.
> 
> On 28/07/2022 17:44, Michael Houlberg wrote:
>> Phil,
>> 
>> Do you actually use this tool?  I know in the past I’ve read some say they use it successfully, but I don’t know how they do it.
>> 
>> If I could get an executable, I’d be happy with that, but the tool’s output is just a folder.  I’m mostly a Mac guy so I’m a little stupid about this stuff, but can I just stick an .exe extension on the folder to get my executable?
>> 
>> Michael Houlberg
>> Houlberg Development, LLC
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad
>> 
>>> On Jul 28, 2022, at 9:21 AM, Phil (OmnisList)<phil at pgpotter.co.uk>  wrote:
>>> 
>>> Michael,
>>> 
>>> I believe that refers to only changing the omnis executable to look like it is named something entirely different... with different icons etc.
>>> 
>>> Nothing to do with creating an installer for the resultant application.
>>> 
>>> regards
>>> Phil Potter
>>> Based in Chester in the UK.
>>> 
>>>> On 28/07/2022 15:58, Michael Houlberg wrote:
>>>> $Listers:
>>>> 
>>>> I’m experimenting with the Deployment Tool for Windows in Omnis 10.2 31315.  The docs are pretty thin, but I think I have it working.  It seems pretty simple.  I’m pretty much just adding a library to the startup folder and changing the application name.  I point it to an output folder which creates a folder with all the runtime components including a firstruninstall folder.  The tree looks correct, but I thought I was going to get something I can send to a client to install on their computer.
>>>> 
>>>> Like, shouldn’t I be able to generate either an .exe or a .msi?  How do you use the result of the deployment tool to actually deploy your application?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Michael Houlberg
>>>> Houlberg Development, LLC
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