Hey,
thanks to everyone who responded to my posts both here and in the mailing list. Since then, I've figured out how to compile externals written in C using Microsoft Visual C++ 2005. There's more to document, however, such as how to compile externals using some of the other Windows compilers (Borland, djgpp, etc.), and also how to compile externals written in C++ in Windows. But one thing at a time.
one little thing to note... steps 4 and 7 may seem a little roundabout, but they account for the fact that MSVC sometimes has trouble with spaces in directory names (eg. C://Program Files/). If anyone knows how to override this behavior, post a reply, and I'll try to simplify the steps accordingly.
Updated June 29, 2007:
use [b]C://Progra~1/[/b] instead of [b]C://Program Files/[/b],
use [b]C://Docume~1/[/b] instead of [b]C://Documents and Settings/[/b], etc.
So, without further ado...
How to compile a pd external written in C using Microsoft Visual C++ 2005:
Compared to Windows, linux offers a much more user-friendly environment for compiling pd externals. However, with a little patience, a usable environment can be set up in Windows, and the good news is that everything you need is available for free. There are several reputable Windows-compatible C/C++ compilers out there, but here I'll discuss compiling externals with Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 (MSVC for short).
1. Download and Install Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition.
a. Click the link above, then click Go! in the Visual C++ box.
b. Run vcsetup.exe to install the program
(the setup wizard should guide you through the process).
2. Download [url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/7/7/3/7737290f-98e8-45bf-9075-85cc6ae34bf1/VS80sp1-KB9267
]Visual C++ 2005 Express Service Pack 1.
a. Click the link above to download the Service Pack.
b. Run VS80sp1-KB926748-X86-INTL.exe to install the program.
3. Create a new project:
a. Open Visual C++.
b. Open the New Project window (Ctrl+Shift+N).
c. In the Project Types pane, select Visual C++.
d. In the Templates pane, select emptyproj.
e. Enter object name (helloworld).
f. Leave Create directory for solution unchecked, and click OK.
4. Import the pd header file:
a. Get m_pd.h here, or, using pd-vanilla (not pd-extended):
1. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
2. Navigate to the pd/src/ directory on your system.
3. Open m_pd.h in a text editor (file type is: C/C++ header).
b. Select all (Ctrl+A).
c. Copy selection to the clipboard (Ctrl+C).
d. Back in Visual C++, open the New File window (Ctrl+N).
e. In the Categories pane, select General.
f. In the Templates pane, select Text File, and click Open.
g. Copy the contents of m_pd.h into the editor window (Ctrl+V).
h. Open the Save File As Window (Ctrl+S).
i. Save as m_pd.h.
j. From the File Menu, select Move m_pd.h into; select helloworld.
5. Write the source code for the external in C.
a. Open the New File window (Ctrl+N).
b. In the Categories pane, select General.
c. In the Templates pane, select Text File, and click Open.
d. Write your source code in the editor window.
The following example is taken from the tutorial by Johannes M. Zmoelnig.
#include "m_pd.h"
static t_class *helloworld_class;
typedef struct _helloworld {
t_object x_obj;
} t_helloworld;
void helloworld_bang(t_helloworld *x)
{
post("Hello world !!");
}
void *helloworld_new(void)
{
t_helloworld *x = (t_helloworld *)pd_new(helloworld_class);
return (void *)x;
}
void helloworld_setup(void) {
helloworld_class = class_new(gensym("helloworld"),
(t_newmethod)helloworld_new,
0, sizeof(t_helloworld),
CLASS_DEFAULT, 0);
class_addbang(helloworld_class, helloworld_bang);
}
6. Save and import the source code into the project:
a. Open the Save File As Window (Ctrl+S).
b. Save as helloworld.c.
c. From the File Menu, select Move helloworld.c into; select helloworld.
7. Access the pd library file:
a. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
b. Navigate to the pd/bin/ directory on your system.
c. Right-click on pd.lib (file type is: Object File Library) and select Copy.
d. Navigate to the C://TEMP/ directory on your system.
e. Paste the copy of pd.lib in the C://TEMP/ directory (right-click or Ctrl-V).
8. Set configuration properties:
a. Set configuration type to .dll:
1. Back in Visual C++, open the helloworld Property Pages window (Alt+F7).
2. In the left pane, select Configuration Properties >> General.
3. In the right pane, under Project Defaults, click on
Configuration Type, and select Dynamic Library (.dll)
(using the arrow on the right).
b. Add MSW to preprocessor definitions:
1. In the left pane, select
Configuration Properties >> C/C++ >> Preprocessor.
2. In the right pane, type MSW in the Preprocessor Definitions field.
c. Tell compiler which language to use:
1. In the left pane, select
Configuration Properties >> C/C++ >> Advanced.
2. In the right pane, select Compile As.
3. Select Compile as C Code (/TC) by clicking the arrow on the right.
d. Tell linker where to find pd.lib:
1. In the left pane, select Configuration Properties >> Linker >> Input.
2. In the right pane, select Additional Dependencies and enter
C://TEMP/pd.lib.
e. Tell linker to export the setup function:
1. In the left pane, select
Configuration Properties >> Linker >> Command Line.
2. In the right pane, type
/export:helloworld_setup in the Additional options field.
3. Click OK.
9. Compile and link:
a. Use the Build Solution command (F7).
10. Copy the new helloworld.dll file into pd.
a. Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
b. Navigate to the
My Documents/Visual Studio 2005/Projects/helloworld/Debug/
directory on your system.
c. Right-click on helloworld.dll (file type is: Application Extension)
and select Copy.
d. Navigate to the pd/extra directory on your system.
e. Paste the copy of helloworld.dll in the pd/extra directory
(right-click or Ctrl-V).
11. Test the external in pd.
a. the external should now be a useable object in pd.
b. open a new pd patch and try to create a helloworld object.
c. add a bang to the left inlet and test it out.
d. if the main pd console window displays "Hello world !!",
the external has succeeded.
Hope this helps!
-- middlepedal
pd.dll as seen by MSVC integrated environment (???).
