Custom start menu shortcut with pdeploy

Scripting Issues
1

Hi all!

I’m using Panda3D 1.7.2 and I’m very impressed with the packaging tools: packp3d and pdeploy. They are reliable and easy to use.

I would like to know if it is possible to set a custom icon for the start menu shortcut created by a pdeploy installer for Windows?

And also if there is a way to create a desktop shortcut too?

Thanks

2

Afaik this is not possible currently, but there is an easy workaround. You can build the installer with pdeploy, extract the files, and then re-create your modified installer with NSIS (which is the tool invoked by pdeploy).

3

Thanks for the tip yaio, I’ll give it a try. I don’t have experience with nsi scripts but it is a nice thing to learn.

I’ve tried a “dirty” modification to the Installer class of DeploymentTools.py (located at direct/p3d folder). But when I run “python pdeploy.py” I got an error, I mean even without changing anything.

Running “python pdeploy.py” should be the same as runnig pdeploy.exe? If I cound run pdeploy.py I think I can quickly do the modifications in DeploymentTools.py to fit my needs.

Anyway, thank you.

4

I could probably easily add this feature to Panda3D 1.8.0 if you wish. If so, could you file a bug report for it so that I don’t forget?

5

Yep, I obtained errors if I tried launching pdeploy as a python script, I asked and they said that pdeploy isn’t supposed to be executed that way. I don’t know it there is an easier way, but I recompiled Panda, obtaining a working version of customized pdeploy.

6

You might be able to use this command to regenerate pdeploy.p3d:

ppackage direct/p3d/panda3d.pdef pdeploy
7

There is always a simpler method in Panda. :slight_smile: Thanks!