Python36.zip in Windows Libpack 12.1.2

[zach]

Howdy all!

As part of my GSoC project I've been building on Windows regularly. sgrogan has been helping me greatly and he came across a post in this topic: https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic. ... 10#p299010. wmayer described a method of using a batch file in order to add the Libpack directory as a path.

However, I ran into some issues when doing so. When referencing the Libpack bin directory from the batch file, FreeCAD searches for a 'python36.zip' archive. This is not present in the Libpack. A minimal archive, if added to the Libpack, will allow this batch file to run normally. That is, if two other files are added to the bin directory of FreeCAD.

These two files are:

Code: Select all

QtWebEngine.exe
qt.conf

Both of which are found in the Libpack bin directory.

An alternative to the minimal archive that would not require an addition to the Libpack would be to have a CMake process create one using the contents of the

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Libpack/bin/Lib

directory.

The advantage of the minimal archive is its size (7 MB vs. 140 MB) and loading speed (about 2 seconds faster loading FreeCAD on my machine).

As mentioned by wmayer in the linked topic, this change would reduce redundant copies of the Libpack during development as well.

I propose that we add the minimal python archive to Libpack 12.1.2 and modify the FREECAD_COPY_LIBPACK_BIN_TO_BUILD CMake flag to FREECAD_COPY_LIBPACK_DEPENDS_TO_BUILD. The process of copying would be modified to only copy the two Qt files mentioned and to generate an appropriate batch file.

[sgrogan]

I propose that we add the minimal python archive to Libpack 12.1.2 and modify the FREECAD_COPY_LIBPACK_BIN_TO_BUILD CMake flag to FREECAD_COPY_LIBPACK_DEPENDS_TO_BUILD. The process of copying would be modified to only copy the two Qt files mentioned and to generate an appropriate batch file.

Go for it! We can finalize the CMake flag name when you are ready for a pull request. You can explain what is does in the tip that's displayed when you hover over the flag in CMake-gui

[zach]

I propose that we add the minimal python archive to Libpack 12.1.2 and modify the FREECAD_COPY_LIBPACK_BIN_TO_BUILD CMake flag to FREECAD_COPY_LIBPACK_DEPENDS_TO_BUILD. The process of copying would be modified to only copy the two Qt files mentioned and to generate an appropriate batch file.

Go for it! We can finalize the CMake flag name when you are ready for a pull request. You can explain what is does in the tip that's displayed when you hover over the flag in CMake-gui

Ok, I will begin making the modifications.

[zach]

I have finished making the changes. I was able to configure/generate/build on my Windows 10 machine with VS17. I will have kkremitzki and sgrogan review my work.