Toolbars


Top Toolbar


Find Buttons

Use the Find buttons (First, Prev, Next, Last) to find a previously saved connection record.


New Project

Click to create a new manifest project. The wizard will help you to select an existing manifest file or to create a new one if none exists. It also helps you selecting fragment files for each of your .ocx/.dll files (COM components).


Clear, Save, Delete buttons

To clear all current data, to save changes and to delete a project.


Browse

Browse for an application manifest file. It should have the same name as the application with an added '.manifest' at the end. It is an XML file with information about how to run the executable for the operating system.


Build!

Builds the application manifest file. Checks for duplicate TypeLibs and merges the selected fragment files with the application's manifest file.


Copy COM

Check/Copies COM (.ocx/.dll) components to the application folder.


Edit

Edit the application manifest file. A manifest file has the same name as the executable file, with an added '.manifest' keyword.


Run

Test runs the executable to check that the application manifest file is correct.


Embed

Embeds the manifest file in the application (.exe) file. When the manifest has been embedded in the program, the .manifest file doesn't need to be deployed to customers.


Compress

Compress the application (.exe) file. It often reduces the file size by about 80%. There's no garantee that your program will work if you try this, but in some rare cases it is quite usefull. Be carefull though, because this is the last think you want to do with a compiled program; after you have embedded the .manifest file. If you are digitally signing your program that needs to be done last.


Bottom Toolbar


Create

Create a new manifest fragment file. If you cannot find a manifest fragment file for your COM (OCX/DLL) component - in either your local repository, or via the 'Download New Fragment Files' button - you can create one here.


Edit

Opens the fragment file under the grid cursor in the editor


Download

Download New Fragment Files. Checks if there are any new 'Manifest Fragment Library' files available in the global repository at VDF-Guidance. If there is - you will be presented with a dialog where you can select files to download.


Share

Share Fragment Files. If you have created a new Manifest Fragment File for a COM (OCX/DLL) component and version - you are encouraged to share it with other users of this tool. You do so by e-mailing it/them to the author of this program, who will check it for consistency and make it available for the global repository at VDF-Guidance.


Check

Check if the COM (OCX/DLL) Component pointed to in the grid is registered with Windows


Register

Register the COM (OCX/DLL) Component corresponding to the active manifest fragment file in the grid


UnRegister

Unregister the COM (OCX/DLL) Component corresponding to the manifest fragment file under the cursor in the grid


Open Folder

Opens the application manifest file's folder in Windows explorer


Open Fragments Folder

Open the local Manifest Fragment Library in Windows Explorer. Note that there is also a global repository of fragment files available. You can press the 'Download New Fragment Files' button to get new files from the VDF-Guidance web-site.


Open COM Folder

Open the folder containing COM (OCX/DLL) modules. It is used by the program when COM (OCX/DLL) components should be copied to an application folder. In case the program can't find a component here it will look in Windows registry.


Check if signed

Checks if the program file has been signed with a digital certificate


Digitally Sign

Sign the file with a digital certificate. The best digital certificate available on the machine will be automatically selected, if not changed from the program setup dialog. Note: You must have purchased a digital certicate aimed at signing programs code and it needs to installed on the current computer.


Verbose checkbox

Controls the amount of info displayed for a digital certificate action


Configure

Configure the Program. Change settings for the program


About

Shows info about the program


Help 

This is a drop-down button that has three choices. One for launching the local help file, another for launching the online HTML help at rdctools.com. Finally there's an option to check if there are any updates for the program.


Exit 

Ends the program.