Is it possible to use the freeware plugin pack as portable? I am thinking of just moving the installation folder around (e.g. on a USB stick).
I use Reaper, which can also work as a portable application.
Thank you.
Freeware plugins: possible to make portable?
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 339 posts since 9 May, 2001 from Greece
Yes, and I failed. Here's what I did:
1) I downloaded the freeware pack (VST 32bit)
2) Used UniExtractor to extract the installer contents. There were additional installers inside. I used UniExtractor again to end up with the .dll files and subfolders.
3) I moved the .dll files and the subfolders to my vstplugins.
4) Reaper now sees the BlueCat plugins. Upon trying to load them, a big 'missing files' dialog comes up (mostly asking about skin files), and that's the end of it.
1) I downloaded the freeware pack (VST 32bit)
2) Used UniExtractor to extract the installer contents. There were additional installers inside. I used UniExtractor again to end up with the .dll files and subfolders.
3) I moved the .dll files and the subfolders to my vstplugins.
4) Reaper now sees the BlueCat plugins. Upon trying to load them, a big 'missing files' dialog comes up (mostly asking about skin files), and that's the end of it.
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Blue Cat Audio Blue Cat Audio https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=39981 - KVRAF
- 6345 posts since 8 Sep, 2004 from Paris (France)
Our plug-ins should be "portable" to an external USB key: once they are installed, you just need to move BOTH the dll and the "data" folder in your VST folder on the key.
As an example, for the mono version of Blue Cat's Chorus, you need the following data to be in the same location:
There are subdirectories in the "data" folder that should not to be modified.
Apart from these movable files, we have an extra dependency to the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable binaries (that's two dlls installed by the MS installer that is bundled with our plug-ins). If your PC does not have it you will have to install it (not sure manually copying them will work on Windows Vista or later but you can try...).
As an example, for the mono version of Blue Cat's Chorus, you need the following data to be in the same location:
There are subdirectories in the "data" folder that should not to be modified.
Apart from these movable files, we have an extra dependency to the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable binaries (that's two dlls installed by the MS installer that is bundled with our plug-ins). If your PC does not have it you will have to install it (not sure manually copying them will work on Windows Vista or later but you can try...).
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 339 posts since 9 May, 2001 from Greece
Thank you.
Is there any info stored in the registry or anywhere else?
I couldn't get it to work on a system that I didn't run the installer first. I simply copied the file and folder but it still complained about missing files (error parsing skin of some sort), which were present in the subfolder already.
I guess am going to run the installer and use the plugins on this system for now.
(thank you for the free plugins by the way!)
A lot of people would be thrilled by the prospect of portable plugins, even coming in simple foolproof zip files. I know it's a little extra work and more stuff to maintain but it may attract more users.
Thank you!
Is there any info stored in the registry or anywhere else?
I couldn't get it to work on a system that I didn't run the installer first. I simply copied the file and folder but it still complained about missing files (error parsing skin of some sort), which were present in the subfolder already.
I guess am going to run the installer and use the plugins on this system for now.
(thank you for the free plugins by the way!)
A lot of people would be thrilled by the prospect of portable plugins, even coming in simple foolproof zip files. I know it's a little extra work and more stuff to maintain but it may attract more users.
Thank you!
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- KVRist
- 296 posts since 9 Feb, 2009
Evan, when you use Uniextract, the files you end up with are different to the files you get after installing the plugins. So don't use Uniextract.
Instead, actually install the plugins, and then go to the vst folder and copy the dll and data folder. I made this mistake myself with Freqanalyst, so hopefully your problem is the same.
Instead, actually install the plugins, and then go to the vst folder and copy the dll and data folder. I made this mistake myself with Freqanalyst, so hopefully your problem is the same.
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Blue Cat Audio Blue Cat Audio https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=39981
- KVRAF
- 6345 posts since 8 Sep, 2004 from Paris (France)
I don't know how your extractor works, but if it does not respect the file system structure then the plug-in won't work.
Our plug-ins do not store anything in the registry, so you can just install / copy files/ uninstall: it will not leave anything on your computer.
Our plug-ins do not store anything in the registry, so you can just install / copy files/ uninstall: it will not leave anything on your computer.
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- KVRist
- 296 posts since 9 Feb, 2009
Yeah, for some reason Uniextract gives a couple of extra folders that aren't there when you install the plugins. For Freqanalyst there is a folder with a single bitmap in it (the mid/side switch, i think), and that seems to stop it working.Blue Cat Audio wrote:I don't know how your extractor works, but if it does not respect the file system structure then the plug-in won't work.