Crystal Reports XI Runtime Installer

by Peter van Mil

The only supported way to deploy Crystal Reports XI applications using the Report Designer Component (RDC) is using merge modules. In this document is described how to make a Windows Installer based setup package, that does nothing more or less than installing the Crystal Reports XI runtime to run a VDF 11.1 sample report. I have used the following tools: Crystal Report XI Developer Edition, updated merge modules, Orca and Installer2Go.

Crystal Report XI Developer Edition

For developing RDC based applications you need Crystal Reports XI Developer Edition or Crystal Reports XI for DataFlex. Both versions copy the necessary deployment files on your PC. CR XI for DataFlex includes the Connectivity Kit for Crystal Reports, that supports native DataFlex files.

Merge Modules

Business Objects put all the necessary files and settings for the Crystal Reports XI runtime in merge modules. Merge modules are components, that can be included in Windows Installer based packes. Crystal Reports XI needs the license keycode to be included in the installer, so I isn't possible to convert somehow the four merge modules into one installer.
Updated merge modules are available at http://support.businessobjects.com/fix/merge_modules.asp. Copy these files to C:\Program Files\Common Files\Merge Modules.

Orca

Orca is a Windows Installer package editor provided as part of the Windows Installer SDK. You will find it by looking for PSDK-x86.exe in Google. The title of the download site is confusing: "Windows Server 2003 SP1 Platform SDK Web Install". When you install PSDK-x86.exe you will find Orca.Msi at C:\Program Files\Microsoft Platform SDK\Bin. Install it and you will have a shortcut to Orca.exe.

With Orca you can open the file CrystalReports11_RDC_License.msm. It is tempting to change everything that is possible, but it might be better to change just one thing: the license keycode. In the left pane you can choose for property and in the right pane you can set the value of PIDKEY. This isn't the serial number, but the code with the format XXXXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXXXX-XXXX. Orca saves the code in the merge module.

Stcamsware X64 V3.05 !full! -

One of the primary benefits of downloading the StCamSWare v3.05 environment is its inclusive software development kit (SDK) and multi-industry driver wrappers. Rather than treating the software as a simple image viewer, automation engineers use it to register Sentech cameras to standard system runtimes:

Regional scanning properties (Region of Interest - ROI) to maximize frame rates by cropping out unneeded sensor pixels. 3. Real-Time Zoom and High-Framerate Playback

Setting up the package requires proper ordering to avoid driver conflicts with generic Windows imaging options.

The (like MATLAB or LabVIEW) you intend to route the video stream through stcamsware x64 v3.05

: STCamsware X64 V3.05 comes equipped with advanced motion detection capabilities. Users can set up specific areas of interest within the camera's field of view, and the software will alert them in case of any motion, ensuring that no critical event goes unnoticed.

Tools for capturing still images with both hardware and software triggering options.

Before installing v3.05, ensure all previous versions of STCamSWare or generic USB camera drivers are removed to prevent registry conflicts. One of the primary benefits of downloading the StCamSWare v3

This article provides an in-depth look at StCamSWare v3.05, covering its features, installation, compatibility, and best practices for industrial imaging professionals. What is Stcamsware x64 v3.05?

What makes the ecosystem particularly robust is its extensive driver support. When you install the software package, it typically bundles essential frameworks to ensure your camera communicates properly with your PC. This includes: DirectX Support

Ensure your Sentech USB camera is unplugged from the PC before starting the installation. Real-Time Zoom and High-Framerate Playback Setting up the

Always run the installer with administrative privileges. Because the software installs low-level hardware drivers, Windows User Account Control (UAC) can sometimes block critical components.

Allows you to choose specific camera features and the installation folder.

To guarantee stable driver communication, follow this installation order carefully to prevent Windows from loading generic USB video class (UVC) drivers instead of the dedicated Sentech driver.

Facilitating offline data analysis when installed on user-provided workstations.

Crystal Reports Runtime

The end result is the installer Crystal Reports XI Runtime with a size of more than 70 Mb. Leaving away several option (export filters, etc) doesn't result in a smaller size. The installer doesn't include the Connectivity Kit for Crystal Reports. If you want to test a report, take the report "Crystal - Address Labels in the orderentry sample of Visual DataFlex 11.1.

Download

runtime installer ~ 135kB

related hyperlinks:
MSDN merge modules
DAW 2161-INFO: Running Reports from Crystal XI from Visual DataFlex Application