Lesson 14 - Compiling the Icon Library

In this lesson, we'll compile the "Buttons" library we've created in previous lessons. This will produce an EXE installable package (one compressed file) ready for distribution.

Selecting the Library, starting the compilation wizard

1. First, we're going to select the library which is located in the Librarian. You must be sure the librarian is visible. If the librarian window is not visible (), check the Librarian button in the main toolbar () or press ESC.

2. Select the library "Buttons" in the librarian tree (), the icons included in the library appear in the list below (). Select all the icons in the library or press Ctrl+A. Right-click in this list and choose Compile as EXE Installable Package () or click the associated button (). A dialog box opens.

Specifying the compilation options using the wizard

3. The first screen of the Compilation Wizard opens:

In the Filename zone (), enter the name of the installation program file that will be generated. For example type "Button Icons Install". In the Location zone (), specify the folder where you want to create the installation package, you can change this folder manually or browse your disks by clicking the "..." button (). We recommend to specify or use a well identified folder, for example the My Documents folder (recommended under Windows Vista™). If the folder does not exists, you'll be prompted to create it.

4. Click "Next >>". The second screen of the Compilation Wizard opens:

In the Filename zone (), enter the name of the ICL file that will be created by the installation on the end user computer. We recommend you to always keep the ICL name proposed by Axialis IconWorkshop™. In the Title zone (), specify the title that will be displayed (using large font) in the install procedure window. In the Copyright zone (), specify your copyright/property notice (it will be displayed in bold font under the title).

In the other zones (), specify your name, website link and a comment. This information will be added in the install procedure About Box.

5. When done, click "Next >>". The 3rd screen opens:

This screen permits you to specify an information text that will be displayed in the installation procedure. This is very useful to inform the user about the icon library, your business... If you want to specify a text, click Display an Information Text box (). The zone below activates (). You can type the text in this box. You can also load or save text files using the related buttons (). For this tutorial, we don't use this feature.

7. When done, click "Next >>". The 4th screen opens:

This screen permits you to specify an License Agreement text that will be proposed to the user during the installation procedure. The user will be asked to accept all the terms of this agreement before proceeding with the installation. If you want to specify a text, click Add a User License Agreement box (). The zone below activates (). You can type the text in this box. You can also load or save text files using the related buttons (). For this tutorial, we propose you to keep this standard License.

7. When done, click "Next >>". The 5th screen opens. It permits you to implement an Activation feature in your distribution package. If you choose to use this feature, the user who will install the icon library will be prompted to enter a personal Activation Code to proceed with the installation. To read more about this advanced feature, see Use an Activation Code topic. For this tutorial, we won't use this feature.

8. When done, click "Next >>". The last screen named Ready to Compile opens. It proposes you to read a summary of the options you selected before proceeding with the compilation. Always read in details this summary before validating. When done, click "Next >>". The compilation starts...

Testing the compiled installation package

9. When done, a large button appears "Test the Installation Package Now". Click on it to test the compiled file. It looks this:

Now follow the install procedure to see the result. Of course, the "Button Icons Install.exe" file has been created in the destination folder you specified above. This is a standalone EXE install file that can be copied and redistributed.

Lesson 15 - Working with the Visual Studio® plug-in