2GvSAP skins

[2GvSAP_Einstein]

So I've gathered all the 2GvSAP skins and have tried a couple different installer methods to do it all at once.

• Batch File - Crude, but it works. User has to verify the path is correct and can change it by editing the .bat file with any ol' text editor.
• Windows Installer - Neat and spiffy, but works only if the user has IL-2 installed in the default directory. The version of installer S/W to make a customizable install path (e.g., read from user's registry) costs $299!

I can zip all the files in one place, but then you have to manually copy all the files over.

There's GOT to be a better way. Anybody have any better ideas? Or know how to make an .msi package that installs to path read from the registry?

[2GvSAP_Chief]

Doesn't the Windows installer allow you to change to what directory your installing?

[2GvSAP_Einstein]

Doesn't the Windows installer allow you to change to what directory your installing?

Maybe. I'm using a tool called "Advanced Installer" that creates the .msi file that does the installing because that's one of the only free tools I could find to do so. This tool has the option to let the user pick the directory, but it's grayed out in the free version. The cheapest version they sell on their website is $299. I'm still looking for other tools but was hoping someone here had experience creating a Windows Installler package and tell me what I'm doing wrong. Teh Google hasn't been helpful on this one.

[2GvSAP_Dart]

Compress the files within a directory tree using winzip or winrar.

Basically make a set of empty directories that mimic the IL-2 directories, following the PaintSchemes/Skins/Relevant Plane Folder, and then putting the skins into them:



(For this example I used two skin folders, one of the 109 and Hurricane folders, respectively, putting the skin files within those directories.)

Now right click on the otherwise blank directories, starting from the top and select "add to archive:"



I usually chose the .zip format rather than .rar:



Okay, so with Winrar we can actually click on the .zip file itself and it will show us that not only our files but the directory tree is intact:



On the back side (download) one only now has to select the root directory of the sim to extract to. It may ask if it's okay to unzip into folders of the same name, but one should say yes.



I like this better than the .exe function in WinZip as everyone has different places and names for where they put the sim, but once the root is selected as the parent, everything else goes in its place right as rain.

Winrar is precisely 299 USD cheaper than the Advanced Installer tool, which gives this technique an edge over many others.

[2GvSAP_Einstein]

I originally started with the structured zip file (excellent description on how to do so, BTW), but I wanted to be cool and make an nifty installer - I'm still baffled at how it could be so difficult (read: expensive) to do. I *must* be missing something, but then, Google never lies...

[2GvSAP_Dart]

LOL, you probably never did the Dart Method of installing from a .msi or autoexec zip file.

Step One:
Double click file.

Step Two:
Click "Next" or "Okay" without looking at the path.

Step three:
Curse loudly at the files not being in the right place, hunt down where they went, and cut and paste.

[2GvSAP_Einstein]

Just found a tool that might work! Reads the install path from the registry! Cross your fingers!