Exported Resource Files (.RC)

[GTVic]

1.  I have used Resource Tuner to modify the size of a dialog used by application "xyz". I repositioned and resized all the text boxes etc on the dialog including changing some of the labels. Is there any way to evaluate how these changes may affect the stability of the application?

2.  I assume I can export the dialog to a .RC file so that when a new version of the "xyz" application comes out I can just import the rc and quickly achieve all the same modifications. Is this correct?

3.  Assuming the "xyz" application is built using Visual Studio 6, is the .RC file useful to provide to the developer so they could quickly implement the changes?

Thank you

[TechMan]

1. An application's resources are separated from the program code, any changes you make don't affect the stability. The only exception is when your program verifies its own integrity at load time.

2. Not quite. The current version of Resource Tuner has no import feature. We recognize the potential value of this feature, but this will be available only in version 2.

3. Yes, with no doubt.

[GTVic]

Thanks, would you mind giving a few details on #3, what exactly would they do with the .rc file.

Is it as simple as replacing their version of the .rc file?

[TechMan]

Well, maybe not as simple as replacing, there might be some Studio-specific details. But copying-pasting should do the trick. It's been a long time since I saw VS6, so perhaps an experiment will be needed.  '>

[GTVic]

I tested a sample project in VCC 6

Original (part of an rc file in the VC++6  project)

CODE

IDD_FOURUP_DIALOG DIALOGEX 0, 0, 200, 175
STYLE DS_MODALFRAME | WS_POPUP | WS_VISIBLE | WS_CAPTION | WS_SYSMENU
EXSTYLE WS_EX_APPWINDOW
CAPTION "FourUp - Get Rich Now!!!!"
FONT 8, "MS Sans Serif", 0, 0, 0x1
BEGIN
    DEFPUSHBUTTON   "Deal - $2.00",IDC_DEALCARDS,48,155,50,14
    PUSHBUTTON      "Cash Out",IDCANCEL,103,155,50,14
    ICON            IDI_HEART,IDC_CARD1,39,55,16,16
    ICON            IDI_CLUB,IDC_CARD2,74,55,16,16
    ICON            IDI_DIAMOND,IDC_CARD3,109,55,16,16
    ICON            IDI_SPADE,IDC_CARD4,144,55,16,16
    GROUPBOX        "Amount Remaining $ 100",IDC_AMT_LEFT,20,35,160,50
    ICON            IDR_MAINFRAME,IDC_STATIC,35,15,16,16
    CONTROL         133,IDC_STATIC,"Static",SS_BITMAP,60,10,50,18
    GROUPBOX        "Payouts",IDC_STATIC,32,95,135,50
    LTEXT           "2 pair \t\t\t\t3.00",IDC_STATIC,37,110,125,8
    LTEXT           "3 of a kind \t\t\t6.00",IDC_STATIC,37,120,125,8
    LTEXT           "4 of a kind\t\t\t9.00",IDC_STATIC,37,130,125,8
END

Exported from Resource Tuner

CODE

102 DIALOGEX 0, 0, 200, 175, 0
STYLE DS_SETFONT | DS_MODALFRAME | WS_POPUPWINDOW | WS_VISIBLE | WS_DLGFRAME
EXSTYLE WS_EX_APPWINDOW
CAPTION "FourUp - Get Rich Now!!!!"
LANGUAGE LANG_ENGLISH, SUBLANG_ENGLISH_US
FONT 8, "MS Sans Serif"
{
  DEFPUSHBUTTON   "Deal - $2.00", 1005, 48, 155, 50, 14
  PUSHBUTTON   "Cash Out", 2, 103, 155, 50, 14
  ICON   132, 1000, 39, 55, 16, 16
  ICON   130, 1001, 74, 55, 16, 16
  ICON   131, 1002, 109, 55, 16, 16
  ICON   129, 1006, 144, 55, 16, 16
  GROUPBOX   "Amount Remaining $ 100", 1004, 20, 35, 180, 50
  ICON   128, -1, 35, 15, 16, 16
  CONTROL 133, -1, "STATIC", SS_BITMAP, 60, 10, 50, 18
  GROUPBOX   "Payouts", -1, 32, 95, 135, 50
  LTEXT   "2 pair \t\t\t\t3.00", -1, 37, 110, 125, 8
  LTEXT   "3 of a kind \t\t\t6.00", -1, 37, 120, 125, 8
  LTEXT   "4 of a kind\t\t\t9.00", -1, 37, 130, 125, 8
}

So it is very similar and could probably be pasted right into the file, replacing the original but it would probably be a better idea to keep the original constant identifiers rather than the numeric values and altered constant identifiers from the exported version.

[GTVic]

Is there an approximate time table for version 2?

Some suggestions:

I found making changes very time consuming. I had to select each button, label, text box, etc. one at a time and type in new values for x,y,width,height because I wanted a very precise alignment.

Probably spent about an hour on one dialog.

The application had some non-standard text boxes (custom control) which would not update as I edited the values. Had to close the resource and reopen to check.

Having to hit tab each time on the x,y,width,height boxes was time consuming.

A nice spreadsheet showing adjustable properties for all items at once would be fabulous.

Thanks

[TechMan]

(GTVic @ Nov. 01 2006, 02:34)

QUOTE

So it is very similar and could probably be pasted right into the file, replacing the original but it would probably be a better idea to keep the original constant identifiers rather than the numeric values and altered constant identifiers from the exported version.

Obviously, original constant identifiers no longer exists in the executable. There are only numeric values.

[TechMan]

QUOTE

Is there an approximate time table for version 2?

I can't say for sure when the release will happen. It's not ready yet.  Hope to get it out the door in 2007.

QUOTE

A nice spreadsheet showing adjustable properties for all items at once would be fabulous.

Will certainly be.

[GTVic]

(TechMan @ Nov. 02 2006, 10:00)

QUOTE

Obviously, original constant identifiers no longer exists in the executable. There are only numeric values.

I see constants on line 2 but they don't match the original source.

[GTVic]

Actually they almost match, except for the addition of DS_SETFONT

WS_POPUPWINDOW = WS_POPUP + WS_BORDER + WS_SYSMENU
WS_CAPTION = WS_BORDER + WS_DLGFRAME

so

WS_POPUPWINDOW + WS_DLGFRAME = WS_POPUP + WS_CAPTION + WS_SYSMENU

[TechMan]

QUOTE

I see constants on line 2...

These are predefined constants!

QUOTE

but they don't match the original source. Actually they almost match, except for the addition of DS_SETFONT

Most likely, VS automatically adds it for you, as it actually should be there. Please understand that Resource Tuner just reads exactly what's inside a compiled executable - not less, not more.