[C++ Express] Add Resource disabled?!

I downloaded Visual C++ 2005 Express Beta 1 last friday, but it seems that adding and compiling resources wasn't enabled in this version! Haven't had the time yet to try Beta 2, but is this enabled in this version or will it be enabled in future !

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[C++ Express] Add Resource disabled?!

  • Teknologik

    I have the same problem. In beta 2, 'Add resource' option is disabled or if it is enabled, this error appears: 'The operation could not be completed'.
  • maheshci

    There are no Resources available in the Express products, but on the Top 10 Cool Things  about Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition it says:

    8. Graphical resource editors make it easy to create menus, icons, cursors, and bitmaps

    Someone needs to fix VC++ Express or fix the page.


  • Zweistein

    MS's "plan" here seems to disregard its (claimed) intended audience for the Express editions.  MS uses language like "beginner", "get your feet wet", and similar indications that it views the Express editions as a tool for novices... yet who needs a resource editor more than a novice   Why not omit application templates too, or the debugger (don't you dare!), or how about (in the debugger) leaving in the assembly display but removing the exceptionally useful "memory view" window (oh- wait- you did try to do that... grrr!). 

    I wish MS would stop its trend of designing product features based upon how much trouble the feature is (or whatever the arbitrary rule actually is), and return to including those features that are desired by the target consumer.  (This is very similar, for example, to the evolution path that VB has taken.  Originally described as useful because it was a unique prototyping tool and a tool for fast deployment of ad-hoc solutions with lightweight installation, it is now completely useless for those things due to its dragging .net along for the ride). 

    I know how easy it is for software engineers to make arbitrary decisions about what other people do and don't want, but let's reel this in and give some thought to those decisions!  I, for one, want a freakin' resource editor!


  • Nelson Neves

    Hello - Thanks for the message - the resource editor feauture is not available in the Express product. The Standard Edition and larger products do include this, however. Thank you, April Reagan, Visual C++ Program Management

  • Blerus

    Why A resource editor belongs in the base product as much as a Forms designer. Are you guys restricting features from the Express products for fun This idea is as strange as not including a 64-bit compiler. As if only people with $300+ to burn would use those features.
  • veronique

    Thank you for pointing that out. This was a change in plan, we'll update the Top 10 site.

    -April

  • Sharron

    With Solution Explorer, under "Resources", ( Left-click ) "Add"/ "Existing Item..."

    You can then add in an existing resource file. I've used this in creating a flight simulator gauge, and it worked like a charm. The problem then remains in finding a third party Resource Editor to create the file. Many resource filetypes can be just a text file.

    My resource was an .rc file, but the compiler will add existing .rc  .rct  .res  .resx or .resources

    Here's the small Wiskey.rc file I used in my DLL:

    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    // Wiskey.rc

     #include "Wiskey.h"

    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    //
    // Version
    //

    VS_VERSION_INFO VERSIONINFO
     FILEVERSION VERSION_MAJOR,VERSION_MINOR,0,VERSION_BUILD
     PRODUCTVERSION VERSION_MAJOR,VERSION_MINOR,0,VERSION_BUILD
     FILEFLAGSMASK 0x3fL
     FILEFLAGS 0x0L
     FILEOS 0x10004L
     FILETYPE 0x1L
     FILESUBTYPE 0x0L
    BEGIN
        BLOCK "StringFileInfo"
        BEGIN
            BLOCK "040904b0"
            BEGIN
                VALUE "CompanyName", "Your Company\0"
                VALUE "FileDescription", "Flight Simulator 98 Gauge\0"
                VALUE "FileVersion", VERSION_STRING
                VALUE "LegalCopyright", "Your Copyright.\0"
                VALUE "ProductName", "Your Product\0"
                VALUE "ProductVersion", VERSION_STRING
            END
        END
        BLOCK "VarFileInfo"
        BEGIN
            VALUE "Translation", 0x409, 1200
        END
    END


    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    //
    // Whiskey CompassBitmaps
    //
    BMP_COMPASS_SMALL_BACKGROUND  BITMAP DISCARDABLE  "res\SDK.Whiskey.bg.BMP"
    BMP_COMPASS_SMALL_CARD    BITMAP DISCARDABLE  "res\SDK.Whiskey.card.BMP"
    BMP_COMPASS_SMALL_MASK    BITMAP DISCARDABLE  "res\SDK.Whiskey.mask.BMP"

    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////



    Dick


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