Problem compiling .aif files

[wanman]

Hi all,

I am having problems creating a .aif file using the ER5 OPL SDK. I have created my .rss & .mbm file and have moved them to the epoc32\tools folder. In DOS I have typed d:\epoc32\tools>aiftool filename mbmfilename.mbm.

On enter the following is displayed:

AIF tool
Copyright (C) Symbian 1998
Compiling resource file
The name specified is not recognized as an
internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

1 file(s) copied.
Copying mbm
1 file(s) copied.
Running AIF writer
Reading resource file...
The system cannot find the file specified.
Could Not Find D:\TEMP\out.aif

In addition to this a EPOC32 fault message is issued - PLAT: 46 and on OKing this a Dr.Watson error is created.

I am running a machine with NT4.0 up to patch 6a and it was all working but I had to rebuild machine recently and after installing the EPOC OPL SDK again I can no longer compile .aif files.

Anyone have any clues?

Thanks

Si

[wanman]

Tried installing on different machine (still running NT4 SP6a) but get the same problem even when trying to compile the free demo files provided (Bossno.rss and Boss,mbm). This is very strange as all was working fine before Symbian moved the apps. Is there another SDK I need to download aswell ??

Any help will be much appreciated

Regards

Si

PS have posted message on OPL newsgroup but no answer yet either, is there anywhere else I can try and get some help?

[wanman]

Great news.

With the help of Phil Spencer at Symbian, we have discovered the cause of this problem. It seems that the ER5 OPL SDK installation does not insert an extra path required for the tools to work.

The correction for this is as follows:

1) Press Windows Key + Pause/break to launch System Properties
2) Click on the Environment Tab
3) Within the System Variables window select the 'Path' Variable
4) In the Value field at the bottom of the tab, append 'C:\epoc32\gcc\bin;' after the 'c:\epoc32\tools;' entry
5) Click on the Set button
6) Click on the OK button
7) Reboot your machine

The ER5 SDK tools should now work correctly.

Thanks to Phil for helping me sort out this problem.:D

Regards

Si

[netBookBabe]

Si

Really glad to hear that you got this one sorted - I know how much it was bugging you! :)

Julie

[diem]

Excellent stuff!

I'll add this info to my FAQ - if I ever get around to finishing the update I keep promising :rolleyes:

[m.barr]

Hi there all!

I have the same problem with the aiftool while trying to create an aif file for use with a java program on the 5MX

I have tried absolutely everything and i can't get it working.

I am currently getting the error:

<empty>(1) : Syntax error
Error: conversion terminated :-(
Could Not Find C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\aif.rsc
Could Not Find C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\aif.mbm
Could Not Find C:\DOCUME~1\ADMINI~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\out.aif

If anyone can help - please email me or reply here!

Thanks in advance.

Michael

[wanman]

Hi Michael,

I assume you are trying to compile your file using the aiftool within MSDOS? How have you installed the JAVA SDK? According to Symbian, all SDK's should be installed in the root directory if possible.

e.g. c:\epoc32\tools

Do you have any other Symbian SDK's installed as they prefer to be installed on seperate drives.

Try comiling the demo .rss & .mbm files that are usually supplied with most of the SDK's. Try copying them into the above folder and before compiling as I found this helped too.

I assume you are entering:

C:\> cd epoc32\tools
C:\epoc32\tools> aiftool filename(rss) filename.mbm

Do you get the same message with the demo files? Are you also getting a Dr.Watson error aswell? Have you checked the paths set up as above? What Windows OS are you running?

Another thing you can try is the Symbian knowledge base as I do remember there being a post regarding problems with the JAVA aiftool. If you want, you can send me the .rss & .mbm files and I can try and compile them for you. (use PM if you want to do this)

Regards

Si

[m.barr]

Hi there Si :)

First of all - thanks for the quick reply :)

Yes - I am using the aiftool from DOS. I have installed the SDK in the root of a partitioned drive (e:\epoc32.....) - I have also tried installing the C++ SDK on a different drive - just to use the aiftool.

I am using windows 2000 Server OS.

I have tried installing on a different OS on the same machine (win 98) - and I have tried installing the whole SDK on a different machine using Win ME.

The demo files give me exactly the same errors on all machines and all OS's.

I am entering the command exactly as you stated - and it gives me the same error.

I don't get the Dr. Watson - as I am using 2000. I have changed the paths several times - added the "\epoc32\include" directory to the path, taken it off - added the "tools" dir, taken it off, added the "gcc" dir, taken it off....etc...etc

:mad:

I have searched the whole Symbian knowledge base - and I can't find the solution - although I have tried all their suggestions (dir levels 2 deep, installing C++ SDK, etc)

I really am at my wits end with this one !!

If you wouldn't mind trying to compile these files I would very much in your debt - I will send you a zip file via PM.

Thanks very much Si.

Best regards,

Michael

[m.barr]

Si,

Here is the zip file i promised.
(the PM wouldn't let me send attachments - so I hope I'm not annoyong anyone by placing it here!)

Its called MichaelBarr.zip and it contains nine files :

- the 6 original bitmaps
- the text file i used to create the mbm file
- the final mbm file
- the rss file

If you could shed any light on this I will be very happy indeed - it has been so frustrating!!

Thanks again Si.

Best regards,

Michael

[wanman]

Hi Michael,

Here is your file duely create. I had similar problems to you and did the following to get an .aif file created.

1) Edited your .rss file as you had the number of icons set to 6. This should have been 3 as there are only 3 icons (+3 masks which are not counted)
2) Changed the filename of PSIVALVELCON.MBM to PSIVALVE.mbm as I think it was stuggling with this lengthy filename.

I would also check your app_uid number on the .rss file as all the ones I have ever created are in the format of app_uid=0x10000011.

The compilation still worked with your setting of 000011 although your .aif file may not work with your app, if your app is in the format of 0x10000011. Please also be aware that UID' are unique for each application so if you intend to market this software you will need to contact Symbian to allocate you one. This service is free and is explained in the manuals.

Try your aiftool again by copying the .rss(new) and .mbm files into your e:\epoc32\tools folder. Rename both to psivalve.rss and psivalve.mbm and run the tool by going to that folder in MDDOS and typing 'aiftool psivalve psivalve.mbm'.

Before doing this, go to your paths again and make sure you have the following added:

e:\epoc32\tools;
e:\epoc32\gcc\bin;

Let us know how you got on.

Kind Regards

Si

[m.barr]

Si,

Hello again!

You are being really helpful, but I'm afraid the news is not good
:(
I tried to re run the aiftool using your tips and the attached files - but got exactly the same error.

I reset the paths and even rebooted my machine a few times for good measure - but sadly there has been no joy.

The more disturbng thing is - I tried to use the aif file you created and I can't get it to work either!!

It must be just me :(

Am I right in thinking that the .aif file just has to be placed in the same directory as the .app file - with the same name - in the System\Apps\<name> directory??

If this is the case - then it just doesn't want to work for me !!

Please let me know if you can think of anything else.

Thanks for all your help Si.

Best regards,

Michael

[wanman]

Hi Michael,

I hate it when things don't work and know exactly what you are going through. The SDK's were initially designed to work with NT so if you have a machine running NT you could try installing just the one SDK on that. If not then I would try uninstalling all SDK's and try resintalling on just one on the C: Drive (if not then e will do). Does the installation install Perl aswell? You could try downloading the latest version of this from the link at the bottom of my text although I am not sure Perl is used by the tools.

Try running the aiftool again, making sure you amend your file names to PsiVale.rss and PsiVale.mbm and place them in the epoc32\tools folder.

Check your paths again in the system variables to make sure the reinstall adds those two locations as specified in my previous reply.

As far as the .aif file not working is concerned. Yes it has to be placed in the application folder along with the .app file.

It is very strange that it does not work but I think I know what it is. As I explained in my previous post (probably not very well) each application file has a unique identifier (UID) which the .AIF file must share to enable it to be associated with the .app and to display the icons. It is also always best if your .aif and .app filenames are the same aswell.

I attach a OPL Program file. Copy your .app file to your c: drive on your Psion and then copy this OPL file to your Psion aswell. Double tap on it and it should open within Program (on your extras bar). Edit the text on Line 7 so that it reads:

'CONST KFile$="c:\yourfilename.app" '

Click on the Tran button and then click 'yes' when it asks if you want it to Run the Program. When it runs it will list 4 UID's The APP_UID is UID 3. If you can provide me with this then I can update your .rss file and compile you a new .aif file which should then work.

Incidently, when I ran your old .rss file with the old (length) .mbm file, this is the error I got. Please can you copy the entire message you get and post it here.

Regards

Si

Microsoft(R) Windows NT(TM)
(C) Copyright 1985-1996 Microsoft Corp.

D:\>c:

C:\>cd epoc32\tools

C:\Epoc32\Tools>aiftool psivalve psivalvelcon.mbm
AIF tool
Copyright (C) Symbian 1998
Compiling resource file

1 file(s) copied.
Copying mbm
The system cannot find the file specified.
Error: conversion terminated :-(
Could Not Find D:\TEMP\aif.mbm
Could Not Find D:\TEMP\out.aif

C:\Epoc32\Tools>


That perl link is as follows:

http://downloads.activestate.com/ActivePerl/Windows/5.005/Intel/APi518e.exe

[wanman]

Oops, forgot to attach that OPL file. Here it is.

Si

[m.barr]

Hello again Si!

Sorry my reply has taken so long - I was trying everything al afternoon - and I eventually got my laptop to run aiftool on windows XP !!!

However the aif file still won't work. I think the UID is corrwct - I just made it up when I created the app as it purely for internal/personal use. The id is 000011 - i will attach a screenshot from your little OPL prog.

My main frustration was when i tried to re-install the SDK. I thouhgt i would download the latest version from from Symbian - who seem to have completely removed support for 5's and 7's. All i could find was the "netpad".

Really, really frustrating day with lots of restarts, etc...

If you send me your email address I will forward you the original java code and all the associated files and you can have a go with the aif file yourself - if you haven't lost interest yet!!!

Thanks again for all your help - and at least we are getting somewhere now :)

Attached is the screenshot.

Thanks,


..............................
AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!

HOLD THE BUS!!!!!!
...........................

SUCCESS !!!!

Just as I was sending this message I realised that the screenshot UID was 0X11 not 000011 as I had previously used !!

It all works perfectly!

You have been a HUGE help Si - please let me know if there is anything at all I can help you out with.

Thanks again,

Michael

[wanman]

Well done Michael !!!! I knew you'd get it sorted. Those UID's kept me busy for ages until I understood how they worked. I knew it had to be 0xsomething but the only way to get the UID from am already compiled OPL program is by using that small program that a very kind and helpful Mr Alexander Zavorine wrote for me enabled me to locate lost .app UID's.

Hope you manage to resolve the remaining SDK problems. Btw the Netpad SDK's are the same as the original 5/7 SDK's so these are now the only and correct versions you can download (from Psion Teklogix rather than Symbian). Unfortunately they are based on the original ER5 platform and not the new Netbook OS but you can't have everything can you !!

Good Luck

Si

Oh and Alex's website is attached for your info:

http://www.geocities.com/zavorine/epoc/

[m.barr]

Si,

I have the new SDK running on my main work machine and the old one on my laptop!! The new one is SOO sophisticated and a little scary. I can't get it to import the old MBM files into the new "aifbuilder" - but we shall leave that for another day!!

I found it extremely hard to get hold of the new SDK - are Symbian trying to get rid of us independent developers ? I hope not, as I think we have always formed an important part of the Psion community :(

Alos, do you know if there is there a "skin" somewhere to resemble the 5/7 ?? I couldn't stand looking at my progs running on a "netpad" !!

Thank you for the link - and for all your help.

Incidently, the program was written for a friend working in the plumbing industry - for sizing valves - so if you ever need such a piece of software - its yours ;)

Hope to talk to you soon.

Best regards,

Michael

[wanman]

Hi Michael,

Re your .mbm problems, how do you compile your .mbm files? Do you use the bmconv.exe tool that accompanies the SDK? I have always created them using sketch on my Psion and the created a new .mbm file within a great app called mbmview v4.12. you can get hold of a copy, if you haven't heard of it before, from the link below. It enables you to view most graphical formats which sketch does not provide (including .aif files although you can't edit these within mbmview).

I don't have an old copy of the original SDK's but do have the C++ & OPL SDK's downloaded from the Netpad site. Apparantly the SDK's install the standard 5/7 skins for the emulator but if you want the Netpad one specifically you have to download and install this seperately. Not sure if the java sdk is the same or just comes with the Netpad Skin. I have not been able to get hold of specific 5/7 skins though. You could always try emailing Alex Zavorine obtainable from the link provided in my previous post. He is quite a friendly chap and don't mind people emailing him.

Re your program, thanks for the offer, but I work in the IT industry so we don't tend to get involved with plumbers bits !!

If you ever write a piece of software which can interrogate a AlfanoPro kart racing chronometric system which uses IRDA to transmit it's data then I will certainly be in touch !!

Anyway, speak to you later

Regards

Si

MBMView 4.12 - http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/platodva/psion.htm

[m.barr]

Hi there SI!

Sorry I haven't replied, but my network connection was down for a bit.

I do use the bmconv.exe program - it seemed to work ok if I create the images using Photoshop. I will grab that mbmview though - looks very handy!

I found an old copy of the SDK's on a CD in my extensive back catalogue (also known as the "box of old sh*t") - so if you are ever looking for a copy I can send you it on CD (Java and C++).

AHH!! The old AlfanoPro kart racing chronometric system, why it just so happens that the other day I wrote a.........

sorry - out of my league!

As a matter of interest - what area of IT are you in? It sounds rather exciting! I am currently doing research in IT - but my real interest lies in mobile computing. I am currently trying to learn how to write for the Palm OS platform - even more tricky to set up than Symbian!!

Thanks again Si.

Talk to you later.

Michael

[wanman]

Hi Michael,

Glad to see you back online again.

I do use the bmconv.exe program - it seemed to work ok if I create the images using Photoshop. I will grab that mbmview though - looks very handy!

Thought as much. bmconv.exe was temperamental with me too but as I already was a fan of mbmview, I began using this instead. I use sketch to create/edit my icons and then export them (not save as). They can then be appended to other icons within mbmview to create a new.mbm file. Doing it this way also avoids the problems with colour/quality loss when copying/saving as, etc.

I found an old copy of the SDK's on a CD in my extensive back catalogue (also known as the "box of old sh*t") - so if you are ever looking for a copy I can send you it on CD (Java and C++).

Thanks for the offer but since sorting out my aiftool problem, I have no issues with current SDK's. If I do ever get around to writing anything again and need one of the older SDK's I now know where to come.

AHH!! The old AlfanoPro kart racing chronometric system, why it just so happens that the other day I wrote a......... sorry - out of my league!


Why did I think you were going to say that !! lol Took me ages just to work the damn thing, let alone trying to work out how to export data to a Psion. Doubt it will be possible but have sent a few emails to the techy guys at Alfano. No reply as yet. They probably don't even know what a Psion is !!

As a matter of interest - what area of IT are you in? It sounds rather exciting! I am currently doing research in IT - but my real interest lies in mobile computing. I am currently trying to learn how to write for the Palm OS platform - even more tricky to set up than Symbian!!

Specifically I am a software tester. I get paid to break software and then point out and laugh at developer errors !! The company I work for specialise in military logistical software which runs on a multitude of platforms. It is very interesting and keeps me out of trouble ! Great thing is the variety of different work and apps especially on the web frontier.

Regards

Si

[m.barr]

Si,

I don't envy you with the Alfano kart thingy :)

Software tester does sound like fun - I had an interview with Microsoft for that position but it all went horribly wrong (I'm sure you know the Microsoft interview style)

Anyway - just wanted to let you know that if you are ever looking for icons a great wee site is:

Icon archive (http://www.iconarchive.com/)

that's where I grabbed my wee mbm source from.

Best regards,

Michael

[wanman]

Cool site,

Cheers Michael

[strati]

I can't write an rss files! Can you help me? I haven't understand ho to write it with sdk tools! Is it possible to have an example files?