We have been noticing that users are reporting problems with loading certain extensions. It appears that this applies to newer extensions and possibly newer updates to older ones.

In order to resolve this matter, we ask all users to post details about their problem here, even if they have already created a thread about it. Tell us if you are using MMF2 Standard or Dev, what OS you are using, what extensions are not working, and the date of the file you downloaded, as well as the .mfx version info located in your MMF2, Extensions folder. Right click, properties.

We also would like extension devs to post what they think the problem is here and information about how to resolve it so that a bulletin can be created if we figure out what's wrong.

A list of affected extensions would help sort this out, as well.

It seems that we may need to have some extensions recompiled if the build situation is the problem. If that turns out to be the case, then this thread can also serve to provide info on when and where extension updates are available.

Thanks!

My advice:

1 - Make sure you have the latest build for MMF.

2 - Check the readme or other info with the extensions in question. A certain number of them REQUIRE .net framework to be on your computer. If you have XP you need to install this yourself.

3 - Double check you have the file in the right folder. If they don't come in an installer its easy to have them in the incorrect folder locations.

I think there's a fair chance that at least one developer is compiling with VS 2005/2008 and dynamically linking to the newer CRT DLLs, which aren't included with most versions of Windows; unlike msvcrt.dll, which is.

Here are the installers for various C++ runtimes:
(I can't find the VC++ 2003 one...)
VC++ 2005 (already included in Vista, last version to support Win9x)
VC++ 2005 SP1 (doesn't support Win9x)
VC++ 2008
VC++ 2008 SP1

The appropriate version needs to be installed if the extension is dynamic linked to the c++ runtime (dll version) instead of static linked (library/non-dll version), depending on which version of Microsoft Visual C++ was used to build the extension.
The "_Small" build types in the extension sdk are known to link to the dll version of the runtime, it's the main reason they are smaller, but it comes at the penalty of needing the above installed.

After some testing I've found that Live Receiver requires VC++2005 to be installed!

Thanks for posting the links Dynasoft.

Thanks to everyone who is helping out with this problem.

We appreciate the sleuthing!

Does the version of the VC++ runtime on the machine affect the end user of an executable made with the extensions involved? I am assuming that the dynamic linking would also apply to running a game or application.

Yes, if the run only version of an extension is compiled using the same settings as the edit time version, then the appropriate DLLs must be installed for the stand alone EXE to run.

There are at least two possible ways to avoid this:

Option 1 - Compile the extension using static linking, which causes any C/C++ runtime functions that are used to be built into the MFX files. The only downside to this is you end up with larger MFX files.

Option 2 - Compile the extension with Visual C++ 6.0, which only requires a DLL file which comes with windows. The downside to this is you miss out on any features which were added to newer versions of C++.

Even better, if an extension is linked against any custom libraries that were also dynamic-linked against a C++ runtime, the extension will be dynamic-linked against that runtime even if it was static-linked to the runtime itself.
But wait, there's more! If an extension is linked to a library that needs one version of the C++ runtime, and the extension itself is dynamic-linked against a different version of the C++ runtime, the extension will require BOTH to run!

There is a 3rd way of solving this issue, but it requires more changes: Include pass-throughs for a bunch of stock c++ functions in the MMF2 runtime (making it larger), expose them in the extension sdk, and get extensions to use those (making extensions smaller), and not link to the standard C++ runtime at all or static link for any functions you don't provide.

I like the sound of option 3

Are you sure..? Jamie uses VC 6, I'm VERY sure. I don't think he uses the VC05 runtime, or even is able to.

I've just try to load SQLite3 using the Fusion Updater. I'm running 248 on Vista. Fusion Updater reported the extension was successfully installed. I checked the runtime/data directory and the extension directory and the files are there.

However, MMF2 does not load the extension.

I am using the developer version of MMF2.

Went to released extension forum and downloaded v1.1 and installed. It loaded.

Live Receiver was one of my only extensions which required the VC2005 runtime. I had to use VC2005 because I had problems with using libcurl in VC6.

.
This is the change you need to make to extensions' project properties to make an extension not require any C++ runtime to be installed to work. It will increase the size of the extension a little though.

That's unfair, I already made a post about howto fix that a time ago. :P

Yeah, I saw it :P
Though I've had it set this way for a long time, and I would be surprised if I've mentioned it on the forums before.

And most importantly, I posted a picture

My MMF doesnt recognise any extension.
Even the Update Builds or Extenesions Pack
???

Do you got a full version of Multimedia Fusion 2 or just the demo?

If you have the full version and you can't update, you should fill in this form with all the information you can (including serial number and operating system version) so that Clickteam can reproduce your problem and sort it out.

Thanks for letting me know. I guess that first version was a beta and there was a small mistake when I linked the static library. If you find any problems again when loading the extension please let me know.

For as much as I hate C++ I still find that VC++ 6 is the most reliable version without too much hassle and confusing warning messages. If an extension doesn't load after compiling with that version then I know I did something wrong.

OK, I have Windows 98, VC++ 2005, MMF2 Standard, and build 248. Advanced Path Finding and Trackbar don't seem to work. I tried to run an example executable with the Trackbar object in it and it said something like, "Cannot load trackbar.mfx. This object might need an external program or a library not yet installed."

I am not sure about Trackbar but you need to have the .NET framework installed to use Advanced Pathfinding.

The readme should have more info about as does the post here about that object:
http://www.clickteam.com/epicenter/ubbth...=true#Post69250

The only OS that does not need to install the .NET is Vista.
All other versions of windows need .NET installed separately.

Just for the record, I am having trouble getting the Joystick2 object to work. I am running XP and MMF2 Standard, and I haven't tried grabbing .NET yet..... One to look into though.

-Andy

Is your directX up to date?

I thought I remember reading you need a current version for the joystick extension to work.

Ill check that right now and report back...

-Andy

Should be 9.0c, by the way. At least on XP, 10 on Vista, don't know the exact version.

I got it loading. It was a directX issue, nothing to do with this.

Advanced Comment object gives an error on the user machine. I can use and build on my Vista machine. But I install the .exe on a XP computer and when I double click to run the application I get an error message that Advanced Comment Object cannot load perhaps due to missing library files.

I am using the MMF2 Developer version build 248.

Is this perhaps due to the user machine not having .net installed?

Report: The Joystick2 extension was working in MMF2 Dev, under XP. Yesterday I changed my OS to Vista, and is not recognized anymore... it's becouse of Vista?

EDIT: I just Updated my DirectX files and it worked again ^^

Sorry to resurrect a dormant thread, but has anything been discovered about this? I'm having the problem at home, but I'm at work at the moment so I can't post details until later. What I *can* post is what I remember - I'm running Vista 64, MMFD2, and Path Finder, Advanced Path Finder and numerous other extensions don't show up. MMFD2 won't update (complains about a dll,) and files that use those extensions won't open.

Later tonight or over the weekend, I should be able to provide more information if it'll be useful.

Did you try reinstalling MMF from the CD?

If that doesn't work fill out this form
www.clickteam.com/eng/contact.php and we would be happy to help you out. (don't forget the serial number)

When the application that uses Pxtone Player is executed, the following error messages are
displayed.

"Cannot load pxPlay.mfx. This object might need an external program or library not yet installed."

Hi, just wondering where could I go on the forums to say a big thanks to the people that brought to real life the dream of being able to create your own games? I am so happy with MMF2
and what it has done to make my dream of re-creating an old favorite video game come true. (Game can be seen and downloaded on my site www.aloan1.com) Thanks!
(This is my first post and my first day, sorry for any inconvenience)

...again, my dependencies idea would be useful to solve many of these problems.

Except for the fact that many of the extensions' programmers didn't know that they required a particular MSVC++ runtime.

I am having funny trouble with datagrid. mmf2pro,xp pro

datagrid.mfx is 286,720 bytes


it works during development, application works on my computer.
when I put the app on a CD and run it, datagrid remains blank.

i thought maybe, like cncs32.dll, i have to put the mfx in the path on the cd, but that didnt work either.

please send advice to bigname at scientist.com

That's where my idea of MMF2 retrieving a list of extensions directly from the MFX, like Dependency Walker does, comes in.

MMF2 cannot load these extensions:

Power System,
Sphax AVI and Sphax File-folder,
Phizix
Interface Bar
UnRAR
DirPacker
Button CS
Control X
The Big Box
MMF2 Params
MessageBox
GetLine
GStore X
Ini++
Mouse
Minimap
Select Object
Tablet
Trackbar
Overlay Redux
or Active Overlay.

With some of them I know it's probably because I don't have Dev, but I dunno...

All of those extensions are worked fine for me.
I have MMF2 Standard build 248.
Do you have updated your MMF2 build?

It looks like the MS Runtime Packs solved it for me.

Where is the "Sphax AVI" object you mentioned? I don't have it and have never heard of it.

You're right. I updated my build, and they worked fine.