The Interactive Animation - my first released C program

I don't know where to post this, but, I'm now releasing "The Interactive Animation", the program I've been making for quite some time. I don't know if I did the proper release stuff or not, but as far as I can tell, I have. Could you check to see if the program can run (and report any oddities or bugs you find)?

Download the program here and unzip the ZIP file.

The controls for using it are mentioned onscreen.

These are the concerns I have (in no particular order other than the order I think them up):
1. Did I use the right msvcr80.dll file?
2. Are the images loading successfully or do you get a bunch of "file not found" errors.
3. The bitmap font - it seems a bit too big.
4. Does it run well on computers with Windows 98 at the oldest?
5. How does the EULA sound?

What do you think of it?

I can't exit

I like making the houses turn into rainbows at high speed

Can't exit? Are you clicking the X in the corner or doesn't that work? It works fine for me doing that. What operating system do you use?

where's the linux version :)

It's not designed for Linux. I've never used nor seen Linux so I don't have any idea as to what change(s) are needed to get it to run on Linux. It's designed for Windows 98 and later. I would like to be able to port to other operating systems, but getting it toward Windows was already hard enough. I need more experience first (especially with merely knowing anything about Linux of which I've never used nor seen).

mmhhmm...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Queatrix' Loyal Computer

C:\Program Files\TheInteractiveAnimationV1\Interactive Animation.exe

This application has failed to start because the application configuration is incorrect. Reinstalling the application may fix this problem.

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I'm having the same bug as Queatrix

So am I, with Windows XP SP 2.

I had the same trouble before. The MSVC CRT DLLs are missing. If it works, then you likely have the same version of MSVC as was used to write the application. Otherwise they need to be installed seperately or shipped with the application (AFAIK).

EDIT: I believe an incorrect manifest will cause this trouble too.

Alt+F4, X button, escape button. Just sits there. I am running windows XP SP2. It sorta stalls when I click the exit button so it seems like it's trying something, but it ultimately becomes food for process kill.

I had 6 different versions of the msvcr80.dll file that I supposedly needed, with 3 different file sizes. I had no idea what one to use and I just picked one. As to the closing problem, Others are getting that as well. I found that I forgot to put the "GameRunning = 0" statement in the Windows procedure. Without that, the loop would go on indefinitely. I had this:

Code:

---

case WM_CLOSE:
PostQuitMessage(0);
GameRunning = 0; // this was left out
return 0;
break;

---

The main loop, however, had this:

Code:

---

        while(GameRunning == 1) // this is the main loop
        {
                PeekMessage(&msg,hwnd,NULL,NULL,PM_REMOVE);
                if (msg.message == WM_QUIT) // check for a quit message
                {
                        GameRunning = 0; // if found, quit app // I thought this would close the program
                        break;
                }
               
                else
                {

---

I posted the list of msvcr80.dll files that I had installed in this thread (See message #5). The one that did reply didn't know which one of the six I needed to use so I was left to just a random guess as to which one I needed to use.

What's a manifest though?

I've now uploaded an updated version of the program and attempted to fix the closing bug. I still don't know what msvcr80.dll file I need so this time I'm taking the one from the windows\system32 directory, one of 5 others I had.

The download link is still the same but I'm posting it here for convienience. If the program does load, you should see "v1.1a" in the title bar rather than "v1.1" without the "a". If so, you have the updated version. If it doesn't load with the errors related to the msvcr80.dll file, then I'll try uploading it again with another one of the DLLs. If anyone knows which one of the DLLs I need, let me know and I'll fix that right away.

Perhaps this will help you: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/lib...80,de-de).aspx

I can't remember exactly how I fixed it, but it took me a while to get working. I'll try and post up a more exact guide when I get home, but I know I have a folder in my app directory called "Microsoft.VC80.CRT", or something like that, with the VC8 CRT .dll and .manifest files there. I beleive I got that folder from somewhere in system32\winsxs. I can't remember if I had to change my application manifest file for that or not. As I said, I'll check this stuff for sure when I get home.

Quote:

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What's a manifest though?

---

A manifest is basically an XML file either external or embedded in the application that tells Windows things like wether to use visual styles (on XP), what version of the CRT to use, where to find it, etc etc.

Well, I've changed it to the one with the WinSxS in the path (the second one in my list, the largest in file size at 612 KB):

C:\WINDOWS\WinSxS\x86_Microsoft.VC80.CRT_1fc8b3b9a 1e18e3b_8.0.50727.42_x-ww_0de06acd\msvcr80.dll

Where do I find this XML file at? Basically, I want it so that the DLL needed is in the same directory as the executable itself. The images directory is only for, well, images (the BMPs and TGAs used). I would prefer it to be embedded in the application itself. Visual styles are not necessary so I can go without those.

If only I had a faster, more reliable way to test this other than uploading a new/updated version, waiting for a response to tell if it failed or not and if it does, make another change, reupload it, wait for another response, and so on. Short of uninstalling and reinstalling Visual C++ a dozen or so times just to test, which is very ridiculous, I don't have any other ways of testing it than this....

The application manifest should be generated by MSVC, so you don't need to worry about that unless you need to make changes. Look for something like yourapp.exe.manifest or something.

The DLL manifset would be msvcr80.dll.manifest. I'm pretty sure it's in the same directory as the DLL. Or maybe not, I can't remember.

I see two files that have a ".manifest" extension in this location:

C:\My Documents\My programs\Interactive Animation\Interactive Animation\Debug\

These files are:
Interactive Animation.exe.embed.manifest
Interactive Animation.exe.intermediate.manifest

There is no msvcr80.dll.manifest anywhere. I did a search for "*msvcr80.dll*" in Windows' file search feature and there's no msvcr80.dll anywhere. There's now 19 of those msvcr80.dll files, 13 of which duplicates of the previous 6. What now?

Ok. Here's a proper guide, based on instructions I found here. I'm rewriting it for convenience, and because there's a minor difference I found between doing this on XP and Vista, and because there's a crucial bit of info missing from the guide on the MS forums.

NOTE: This assumes you're using VC 2005 Express.

In \windows\winsxs\, look for the folders starting with x86_microsoft.vc80.crt. The above guide for XP says \windows\winsxs\x86_Microsoft.VC80.CRT_1fc8b3b9a1e 18e3b_8.0.50727.42_x-ww_0de06acd, but no such directory exists on my Vista system. I found it in C:\Windows\winsxs\x86_microsoft.vc80.crt_1fc8b3b9a 1e18e3b_8.0.50727.163_none_10b3ea459bfee365, but the DLLs where in another directory or two as well. To be sure, make sure the file sizes are as follows:
msvcm80.dll - 468kb
msvcp80.dll - 536kb
msvcr80.dll - 612kb

Copy those files to a folder called "Microsoft.VC80.CRT". Perhaps in the VC\redist\x86 folder like the above guide says. I don't think it really matters.

In the same folder, create a file called "Microsoft.VC80.CRT.manifest", and copy the following into it:

Code:

---

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<!-- Copyright &#169; 1981-2001 Microsoft Corporation -->
<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0">
    <noInheritable/>
    <assemblyIdentity
        type="win32"
        name="Microsoft.VC80.CRT"
        version="8.0.50608.0"
        processorArchitecture="x86"
        publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b"
    />
    <file name="msvcr80.dll"/>
    <file name="msvcp80.dll"/>
    <file name="msvcm80.dll"/>
</assembly>

---

Here's the missing bit from the other guide: note the version number in red. You'll have to change this to match your DLL version. Just right click any of the DLLs, go to the "details" tab, and get the product version.

Then copy this folder containing the manifest and the DLLs to your app directory.

I have no idea if it works with the DLLs and manifest outside of "Microsoft.VC80.CRT", in the same directory as the app. You'll have to try it and see.

I followed your procedure that you've given (hopefully anyway), and I've rezipped the file and reuploaded it as well. Can you test it on a computer that doesn't have Visual C++ installed to see if it works or not?

Edit: Here's the link again, for convenience.

Edit #2: I noticed that I forgot to save the file where I changed the version to match the file and uploaded the wrong one. I've fixed this and reuploaded and if you have downloaded the new version (with the manifest stuff in it) before 4:00 PM, you should redownload it so you have the fixed version.

Still doesn't work. I changed the version number in the CRT manifest to match the DLLs, but still nothing. Can you upload "Interactive Animation.exe.intermediate.manifest"? I think that may need to be present to. I'm not sure. When I did this it was with a .NET app, which embeds the manifest in the exe, so I didn't need do bother with the app manifest myself.

EDIT: if you can, post up "Interactive Animation.exe.embed.manifest" too. I created a manifest for the app, but i'm still getting a missing DLL error.
EDIT2: is the debug or release version of "Interactive Animation.exe"?

It works fine for me. What the hell is it?

Quote:

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It works fine for me

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Does your computer already have MSVC installed?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by psychopath

Still doesn't work. I changed the version number in the CRT manifest to match the DLLs, but still nothing. Can you upload "Interactive Animation.exe.intermediate.manifest"? I think that may need to be present to. I'm not sure. When I did this it was with a .NET app, which embeds the manifest in the exe, so I didn't need do bother with the app manifest myself.

EDIT: if you can, post up "Interactive Animation.exe.embed.manifest" too. I created a manifest for the app, but i'm still getting a missing DLL error.
EDIT2: is the debug or release version of "Interactive Animation.exe"?

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This is from the embed manifest:

Code:

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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0">
  <dependency>
    <dependentAssembly>
      <assemblyIdentity type="win32" name="Microsoft.VC80.DebugCRT" version="8.0.50608.0" processorArchitecture="x86" publicKeyToken="1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b"></assemblyIdentity>
    </dependentAssembly>
  </dependency>
</assembly>

---

This is from the intermediate manifest:

Code:

---

<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8' standalone='yes'?>
<assembly xmlns='urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1' manifestVersion='1.0'>
  <dependency>
    <dependentAssembly>
      <assemblyIdentity type='win32' name='Microsoft.VC80.DebugCRT' version='8.0.50608.0' processorArchitecture='x86' publicKeyToken='1fc8b3b9a1e18e3b' />
    </dependentAssembly>
  </dependency>
</assembly>

---

As to the debug/release, that I have no idea on. How can I find out?

What the program is is remake of the first program I made back in January of 2005, but in C rather than what Gamestudio uses. This version has much better graphics than the original.

It should be set in your IDE (generally in a drop-down in the toolbar). But I can tell you that it's debug anyway, because your app manifest is looking for Microsoft.VC80.DebugCRT, which is the debug version of the CRT, which you aren't allowed to redistribute anyway (as of VS8). You'll need to recompile in release mode.

The only one of those VC80 things I am redistributing is the one without the debug. There is a drop down at the top right next to the "play" button that has the options "debug", "release", and "Configuration Manager". I take it that I'm supposed to choose "release" from this drop down menu, then recompile the program. Is that correct? I'm still not familiar with what some things are in Visual C++ 2005 Express. There's a lot of advanced things in there. I was wondering what that drop down menu was for. I'll try this and see what happens and reupload the new version.

I've just tried to compile it in release mode, but I'm getting an error related to the precompiled header (of which, in my project configuration settings, I've chosen that I'm not using), and that it won't compile. This is the error:

Quote:

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stdafx.cpp
Compiling...
Interactive Animation.c
.\Interactive Animation.c(13) : fatal error C1853: 'Release\Interactive Animation.pch' precompiled header file is from a previous version of the compiler, or the precompiled header is C++ and you are using it from C (or vice versa)

---

The IDE seems to use C++ rather than C and it's this conflict that's causing it. Is it possible that this precompiled header be ignored during compiling? If it's required, then how do I recompile it as C-only? If it's not required, how can I bypass it? Is stdafx.cpp required? It only has a include toward stdafx.h and that file only has this:

Code:

---

#pragma once
#define _CRT_SECURE_NO_DEPRECATE
// Modify the following defines if you have to target a platform prior to the ones specified below.
// Refer to MSDN for the latest info on corresponding values for different platforms.
#ifndef WINVER                                // Allow use of features specific to Windows XP or later.
#define WINVER 0x0501                // Change this to the appropriate value to target other versions of Windows.
#endif

#ifndef _WIN32_WINNT                // Allow use of features specific to Windows XP or later.                 
#define _WIN32_WINNT 0x0501        // Change this to the appropriate value to target other versions of Windows.
#endif                                               

#ifndef _WIN32_WINDOWS                // Allow use of features specific to Windows 98 or later.
#define _WIN32_WINDOWS 0x0410 // Change this to the appropriate value to target Windows Me or later.
#endif

#ifndef _WIN32_IE                        // Allow use of features specific to IE 6.0 or later.
#define _WIN32_IE 0x0600        // Change this to the appropriate value to target other versions of IE.
#endif

#define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN                // Exclude rarely-used stuff from Windows headers
// Windows Header Files:
#include <windows.h>

// C RunTime Header Files
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <malloc.h>
#include <memory.h>
#include <tchar.h>

---

All my includes are on the main C file. The stuff with the #ifndef and the defines within them I don't know about (and probably don't use).

Edit: I figured I'd post the includes at the top of the main file:

Code:

---

#define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN       
#pragma comment(linker, "/subsystem:windows")
#pragma comment(lib, "Winmm.lib") // Needed for timeGetTime()
#pragma comment(lib, "Vfw32.lib") // Needed for DrawDibDraw and the related
#pragma comment(lib, "Msimg32.lib") // Needed for using alpha channel
/*        Pre-processor directives*/
#include "stdafx.h"
#include "Vfw.h"
#include "KeyIncludes.h" // used for easier-to-remember keys
#include "FontDefines.h" // used for font-related defines for easier use
#include <stdio.h> // common includes
#include <string.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <time.h>
#include <windows.h>

---

Notice many duplicate things that are already in the stdafx.h file. Should I just remove that stdafx.h include from my area (but then, what about the ifndef stuff)?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by psychopath

Does your computer already have MSVC installed?

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Yes, yes it does. Sorry.

There should be something in the project options to disable using a precompiled header. I can't remember exactly where. But removing stdafx.h won't work on its own.

EDIT: actually, you can also try using "rebuild project" instead of just "build project" while in release mode. this will force a rebuild of the PCH in release mode, and should get rid of the error. if not, continue to disable the PCH.

It appears as if there are different options for the debug version and the release version. When I do compile, however, I get a lot of warnings that I never got with the debug version and when I run it, I get very strange looks and the files aren't loading likely as a result. I see a lot of rectangles for text when working with strings. These are the warnings I'm getting:

Code:

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.\Interactive Animation.c(308) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(308) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [27]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(329) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [192]' to 'LPWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(339) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(339) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [15]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(374) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(374) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [16]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(391) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(391) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [16]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(428) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(428) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [16]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(447) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(447) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [16]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1157) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1157) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [27]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1237) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1237) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [27]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1259) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1259) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [27]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1771) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [512]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1771) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [27]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1819) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [16]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1845) : warning C4133: '=' : incompatible types - from 'char [8]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1890) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [8]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1890) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [32]' to 'LPCWSTR'
.\Interactive Animation.c(1980) : warning C4133: 'function' : incompatible types - from 'char [8]' to 'LPCWSTR'

---

I took a screenshot of the boxes and other gibberish to help explain, if necessary. The area this applies to is with the file loading (since I haven't copied the program yet to the correct area).

Code:

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char LoadFile(const char FileName[64], char FileType, BITMAPINFOHEADER *BMPInfo, unsigned char *BMPData, char FogUsed, double ObjectScaling, char LoadType, unsigned int ArrayLength)
{
        char BasePath[192]; // the base path, that of which started from
        char FullFileName[256]; // the full path combining the base path and the parameter
        unsigned int ArrayIndex = 0;
        float NewColor = 0;
        unsigned char ValuesBase[4]; // for fixing endianness
        float FogIntensity = (float)ObjectScaling;
        float FogRange = (float)visibility;
       
        GetCurrentDirectory(MAX_PATH, BasePath);
        // strcpy(BasePath, "C:\\My Documents\\My programs\\Interactive Animation\\"); // get the obvious base path first
        sprintf(FullFileName, "%s\\images\\%s", BasePath, FileName); // combine the base path and file name
        FileHandle = fopen(FullFileName, "rb"); // read the source file to display, binary mode
       
        // FileHandle = fopen(FileName, "rb"); // read the source file to display, binary mode
       
        if (FileHandle == 0) // if the file can't be found
        {
                sprintf(WarningString, "Error:  This file cannot be found:\n%s\n\nIf this file isn't there, redownload the program and/or contact me.\nIf it is there or in a different directory, then you've found a bug.  Please report it.", FullFileName); // an error since the file can't be found
                MessageBox(hwnd, WarningString, "File not found", MB_OK | MB_ICONHAND);
                return 1; // indicates an error occurred
        }

---

Any ideas on what this may be? Why does it work fine with debug?

You seem to be compiling it in Unicode-mode so your ASCII-strings are being interpreted as UTF-16 by the Windows API. This is caused by having UNICODE and _UNICODE defined in the preprocessor, probably through compiler options so check those.

According to this thread, it looks like your compiling release mode in unicode.

In your project properties, make sure the configuration drop-down is set to "release" or "all configurations", select "general", and set the character set propery to either "not set" or "use multi-byte characer set".

EDIT: sorry, just saw OnionKnight's post.

I've made that change, checked it and didn't see those warnings when compiling. I ran the program to see if it worked or not and it did, at least for me. I zipped it up and reuploaded it. I happened to have spotted another bug so I've fixed it and the version is now 1.1b.

The download link is still the same which is here. Does it now run or am I still missing something?

Works, but you didn't change the "version" value in Microsoft.VC80.CRT.manifest. After I changed it, the program launched fine.

EDIT: if I remove the manifest I manually created, it doesn't work either. try including "Interactive Animation.exe.intermediate.manifest" with the app.

Remove a manifest that you manually created? Could you please explain this and what you mean by it? I fixed the version (hopefully I did this time), and reuploaded the file. Since it now supposedly works, I just want to make sure, then I'll post a notice on my website that it now works and can freely be used.

When I was testing your app before, I wrote a manifest for it to figure out where the problem was. When I got rid of it from the most recent version, the app stopped working. That means you'll need to include "Interactive Animation.exe.intermediate.manifest" with the application, or use an embedded manifest by opening your project options->manifest tool->input and output, and set "embed manifest" to "yes".

It doesn't work in WINE either :( ;)

The "embed manifest" is already set to "yes" in the options. It's what apparently the default setting is. Does that mean I also need to add the "*.intermediate.manifest" file as well (where the * is the program's name)? Where would it go? In the "Microsoft.VC80.CRT" folder?

It would go in the same directory as the app.

Well, there's another reupload. Is it correct now?

Sorry it took so long to get back to this.

I had to change the version number in "Interactive Animation.exe.intermediate.manifest" to be the same as the version number in "Microsoft.VC80.CRT.manifest"

I also had to rename "Interactive Animation.exe.intermediate.manifest" to just "Interactive Animation.exe.manifest". I'm not sure why, but that's the only way I could get it to work. I was sure it'd work with the "intermediate" part in there, but apparently not. Anyone else have any idea?

I fixed the version number (hopefully - previously, I just copied it and forgot to check that). I also renamed the *.exe.manifest file as you specified. Does it work now as is? I reuploaded it and the link remains the same.

What are the key controls? It's nice, but I must be missing something . . .

The key controls are in the bottom left corner. This screenshot shows an example. Note the bottom left corner that has "Controls" and the list of the 12 controls.

Nice program (I tried it on another pc) Funny when you set the speed very high :P

Get'er going at +/-30000 with the city scale at 1 and the houses scale at 10 with the visibility set to 50 . . . I like it :P.

The speeds and accelerations are accurately to scale. The default scaling values are the most realistic. Thus, if you're going 180 mph, the speed NASCAR drivers go to, you can get sensation on just how fast that really is, for real. Even the speed of sound (~762 mph) or the speed of the space shuttle in low Earth orbit (~17,500 mph) can be accurately "felt". Double the scaling and the objects are twice as big but twice as far. The speed is in mph and acceleration is in mph per second. Scaling uses it's own unique values, determined by the field of view. A scaling of 1125 is 10 miles' distance which puts the field of view at exactly 90 degrees.

What is acceleration for? It doesn't seem to be affecting the speed.
edit: Anybody remember the name for that effect where the frequency modulations interfere with each other to create illusionary effects (the one where when you get the RPMs of a wheel up to a certain value, it will momentarily appear as if its spinning in the opposite direction), yeah I'm having fun with that effect right now :P

Acceleration - it affects the rate the speed increases. It ranges from -1000 to +1000 and that's mph per second. The speed is in mph. The default is 20 which is close to Earth's gravity. Try setting the acceleration to 1000 or something and you'll go from 0 to 1000 mph in one second and the speed increases by 16.666... mph each frame.

I don't remember what the effect is called though, but it's one of my favorites.

The wagon wheel effect?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagon-wheel_effect

Pulled that one out of my hat there. ;) Ah, curious psychology...

Hmm. That article doesn't have any images related to it and I happen to have an animated GIF (though rather small) that demonstrates the effect. I should add it to the article.