Create Zip Package

Introduction

Many FlatRedBall content file types (such as .scnx and .achx) reference other files (such as .png files for textures). This means that sharing files can be difficult – especially if the file being shared has a large number of referenced files which exist in multiple directories. The “Create Zip Package” command in Glue can simplify file sharing through the creation of a standard ZIP file which can also be imported through the “Add File” right-click option.

Creating a Zip Package

To create a zip package:

  1. Right-click on any file
  2. Select “Create Zip Package”
    CreateZipPackage.png

If the zip package was successfully created, you will see a confirmation popup:CreateZipPackageSuccess.png

If the creation fails, you will also be notified. Failure usually happens because the file being packaged references other files which are not in the same directory or a subdirectory of the file being package.

Note the following characteristics of a zipped file:

  • It is a proper ZIP file, meaning it can be unzipped and investigated by any regular unzipper or in code by unzipping libraries
  • It will be located in the same location as the packaged file
  • It will have an extension suggesting the type of file. This usually means the same file type, only with a ‘z’ instead of ‘x’ as the last letter (.scnx -> .scnz, .emix -> .emiz). The ‘z’ represents “zip” as opposed to “xml”.

Adding zipped files

Glue understands the zipped format of exported files. Therefore, you can simply right-click and select “Add File”->”Existing Files” then select the zipped package file. Glue will unzip the file and add it as a regular file.