Obsolete

Updated information is in the Programming Manual

Windows Development Requirements

Steps for compiling ChimeraX on a fresh Windows 10:

1. Install Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 Community Edition works
   • Select Programming Languages / Visual C++ (not done by default)
   • Select "Windows and Web Development / Universal Windows App Development Tools"
   • Make sure that Windows SDK 10.0.10586 is installed (matching vsvars.sh)

Then start Visual Studio and login, then quit.

2. Install ​Cygwin. We used the 64-bit version. In addition to the default packages, you'll need:
   • binutils (xdr in md_crds needs ld.exe)
   • git (to be able to check in changes)
   • icoutils (to look at icon files, might not be needed)
   • Imagemagick (to create icon files)
   • make (to run the build process)
   • openssh (to get network access to plato)
   • patch (to patch source distribution)
   • rsync (to install files and fetch them)
   • vim (to edit files, might prefer emacs, your choice)
   • unzip (used to build ffmpeg)

3. Clone repository from plato.cgl.ucsf.edu:/usr/local/projects/chimerax/git/chimerax.git

4. Then go the the prereqs/win32 directory and run the installers. Right now those are:
   • cmake (used to generate nmake files)
   • innosetup (used for creating installer)
   • Python (used to avoid building Python)

5. Setup ssh access to plato.cgl.ucsf.edu
   • Make sure ssh to plato works without a password so build can fetch PyQt licensed wheels.

6. ". vsvars.sh" in chimerax root to set path to Visual Studio compiler.

7. "make install" in the repository root.

8. "(cd prereqs/PyQt && make app-install)"