25 replies to this topic

[aufa333]

i made this tutorial because the Only tutorial i found for CXEx is outdated and it also using something call CXEx porter which could make a big confusion for lots of newbies/noobs like myself.

WHY CXEx ?
because u can make the wrapper on one machine and play it on another machine because when u make the wrapper it make a compressed copy of the Engine too so you don't have to worry about any downloading or waste of disk space ,just have the X11 which in most of cases will be installed by default and you are good to go.


*in this guide we will be using Prince of Persia


1-download CXEx central from http://www.cl.ly/113f2F293U0d3H2H1F45 by the fantastic devilhunter
and also install Apple X11 (you will find it on the OSX install DVD > Optional Installs).

2-install CXEx then open it ,now click on Version Check & Update to get the latest update.


3-when update finishs ,open CXEx again and download any Engine u want (always use the 1st and most updated engine so u get the most compatibility and stability fixs ,later if it didn’t work u can try another engine).
|->The Engine is simply what you will build ur game over.


4-now go to Bottle Replacement and click on “install software bottle" for the bottle which have
DirectX9+Physx+.Net2.0+VC++2008 ,so u dont get bothered about them later when the game requires them.


5-open Wrapper Settings, write ur name in porter info and save.


6-now click on Create Wrapper from the 1st engine.
|->Wrapper ,u can think of it as a small partition that will hold ur game.


7-now u will get a file call CXExWrapper on ur desktop _close it and mount ur game iso.
|->b4 u start installing ur game ,open CXEx Central again and chose Bottle Replacement > Software Bottle "the one u just downloaded" > then chose ur freshly created wrapper "it will install all the SoftWare from that bottle to ur wrapper" thanx to cluthz


8-2xclick on the file we just created on the desktop ,it will open an Explorer window similar to the one on windows.


9-open ur game cd from the Left Side Bar and chose ur setup/autorun file and 2xclick it.


10-install and wait till its finish ,btw dont close the explorer window or it will close everything and you will have to do it all over again.
|->uncheck the desktop shortcut creation box ,no need for it anyway.
|->if ur game have any updates ,put ur update to the rote of ur SL driver then navigate to it and install also through Explorer window.

11-when finished _close Explorer and right click ur CXExWrapper.app and chose show package content ,inside u will find a file call CXExSettings < 2xclick it.


12-in Port Name > write ur game name without any “spaces" like POP or PrinceOfPersia.


13-for Startup Exc > click browse and navigate to ur game Exe > in our case it will be [/Program Files/Ubisoft/Prince of Persia/Prince of Persia.exe]
|->if u wanted to install anything else like new version of Direct-X or maybe another program after this step ,there are 2 ways

1st. Go to General Options > Software Installation > Installer > chose whatever u want 'sometimes it work and sometimes it doesnt'
2nd. Put this in ur Startup Exc instead of the game exe [/Program Files/ExplorerXP/ExplorerXP.exe] or if its deleted then use this [/windows/explorer.exe] and click save ,do as u did with the game.

|->Command Flags >write down and flags the game exe may use like
[-nosteam -windowmode -console ,etc...]
|->some games may need a crack ,its easy _just copy the crack file to the same place u installed ur game and u can easily get to it by opening
[CXEx settings > General Options > Open Root Drive > Drive_c > then continue normally]

14-now chose General Options > click on WineTricks and install any additional software u may need and wait till its finished.


15-then in Advanced Settings > click on Wine Config “change any necessary options u want".


16-now Startup Screen > make ur Banner then click on Import Banner.
|->get ur banner from Google or Gamewallpapers.
|->click on Edit Readme and write anything u want ,when finished click on Show Startup Screen to see ur final work.


17-get an icon for ur game “download a one from Google or use img2icns then click Icon Import Options and chose ur file.

18-now Launcher Window “use it or not its totally up to u but i prefer to use it to give a professional look to the final result and also think of it like an intro window for ur game.
|->so check the box beside Enable Custom Launcher then if u have a config file which in this game luckily we have one ,click on browse and chose [/Program Files/Ubisoft/Prince of Persia/Launcher/Launcher.exe]


19-Enter the game website in the empty tab below it.

20-the most Enjoyable part ,get another picture for the game and edit it then click on Import Background Picture.
|->get an Audio track [dont use a long one ] for ur game then click on Import Background Music.
|->if u have a Manual/Guide.pdf for ur game ,u can include it also by using Import Port Manual.
|->now click on Show Launcher window to see ur final result.


21-then click save and u r done.
|->if u wish ,u can delete all the files u used for the Banner, BG music, etc.. as they all are now included in the wrapper.

22-now open ur game and give it a try and when u r finished go back to the Edti Readme @ step 16 and write ur notes.
*and here is the Wrapper


Trouble Shooting
-when u try to import an img and u get an error that the img must be in .png even its actually is
*its because ur img is saved with PNG not png

-when u try to open the RegEdit u get an error that u need to open the main wrapper 1st
*just open the game wrapper then close it & ur problem is solved.

-when u install a bottle from Bottle Replacement to ur wrapper ,suddenly everything else u installed b4 this step is wiped out
*because there something idiotic with the bottle replacement which it will replace everything u did to the wrapper and will add this SoftWare only ,so make sure that the bottle installation is the 1st thing u do.

-ur vga card is detected as something else
*open RegEdit and follow this thanx to syao
.

-in some games when u try to update/crack it using a patch ,it tells u that u dont have .NET 3 in order for the patch to run
*in this case u need to go back to windows to install that patch > install MacDrive > Open the patcher > navigate to ur game Dir & install
**Follow this path as a guide (Game is on the DT).
[Ur OSX Driver:\Users\Ur UserName\Desktop\Game.app\Contents\Resources\transgaming\c_drive\Program Files\Game Folder]

-u try to install the patch from windows but u get an error that the patch cant find the game installation directory in Registry.
*in this case u have to install the game on windows > apply the patch > copy/paste the game to the wrapper.
or
*if u a RegEditor nerd ,then go a head an enter the needed RegKeys in ur windows Registry.


USEFUL TOOLS U MAY NEED
1-General Options > Summon the Grim Reaper
in case ur game hang/lag/crashed and u need to shutdown all the wine tasks/processes.
2-Advanced Settings > Wine Registry
its the most essential tool for u if u ran into any problem regarding ur hardware/software and ur game like [mouse/Vga/Audio]
3-Advanced Settings > Custom App Maker
its very useful if u have more than 1 config file or u just need to run a certain exe file [u'll find 5 options inside the window ,its self explainery]
4-Advanced Settings > Log File Management
Generally u use it to find out if there is any bugs /why the game crashed or why a certain app didn't successfully install.
5-Bottle Replacement > Custom Bottles
Sometimes u have a punch of specific apps that u install to every wrapper u make ,and its painful to do that every single time so
creat a wrapper > install all ur progs that u need everytime > open CXEx again > go to Bottle Replacement > Custom Bottles > press the (+) beside any buttone > chose ur wrapper > wait till it bottle > add ur notes and click on Save Notes.


UPDATE:
the new CXEx wrapper build add some Fixes & features
1-CXEx settings > General Options > installer
Fixed the normal installer ,so no need to explorer trick anymore ,dont use the autorun as it wont work ,u have to use the main setup file.
2-Advanced Settings > Change CXEx Engine
the new wrapper engine fixed this feature ,now u can use it as u would with other porting tools 'CiderX/Wine'
3-Wrapper StartUp > Wrapper Checklist
it will tell u what u miss ,what u should change or add 'SWEEEEEEEEEEEET'.


Last Words:
if YOU needed anything ,the forum is always here and we all will try to help u as much as we could ,hope u enjoy making this fantastic projects/wrappers.

[GameGuy]

you should add a little blurb on if the game doesn't launch (no cd crack is needed) and what steps then can take after that like where they can find the logs so that they can see if they need to install anything else via winetricks. And explain some of the other tools you left out. Sorry if I'm being harsh but this is really slimmed down and if some people follow this they may get discouraged when they install there game and it doesn't work. But never the less this is a good start.

[aufa333]

GameGuy said:

you should add a little blurb on if the game doesn't launch (no cd crack is needed) and what steps then can take after that like where they can find the logs so that they can see if they need to install anything else via winetricks. And explain some of the other tools you left out. Sorry if I'm being harsh but this is really slimmed down and if some people follow this they may get discouraged when they install there game and it doesn't work. But never the less this is a good start.

-no don't mention it ,its totally fine but as i said am still a newbie in that and i just started using CXEx 2 days ago and already made 3 wrappers with this method.
-am still searching hard to get hold of things around here but regarding what if the game doesn't work > thats why i said that the forum is always here to encourage whoever may face a problem to search the forum and ask for help from others.
-the left out tools are now included ,thanx for the headsup _its just i didnt used them ,also if its possible please add whatever u see necessary so i could also learn.

[cluthz]

Nice work, the old CXeX tutorial was staring to get a bit long in the tooth.

Maybe add a few pics to make it perfect? :)

One little thing, if you make a custom bottle with dx9 and vcrun2008 and dotnet2,0 you shoud not need to winetrick them, rather inject the bottle to the wrapper.

[aufa333]

cluthz said:

Nice work, the old CXeX tutorial was staring to get a bit long in the tooth.

Maybe add a few pics to make it perfect? :)

One little thing, if you make a custom bottle with dx9 and vcrun2008 and dotnet2,0 you shoud not need to winetrick them, rather inject the bottle to the wrapper.

You're more than welcome ,i will try to add the pictures today ,also could u explain more the last part ?

[cluthz]

aufa333 said:

You're more than welcome ,i will add the pictures today ,also could u explain more the last part ?

After you make a new wrapper, open cxex central again, choose bottle replacement and click the software bottle you have downloaded, then locate the wrapper and press choose. This will inject dx9, vcrun2008 and dotnet2.0 into the wrapper and then you already have them installed.

[aufa333]

cluthz said:

aufa333 said:

You're more than welcome ,i will add the pictures today ,also could u explain more the last part ?

After you make a new wrapper, open cxex central again, choose bottle replacement and click the software bottle you have downloaded, then locate the wrapper and press choose. This will inject dx9, vcrun2008 and dotnet2.0 into the wrapper and then you already have them installed.

u must be sh*ting me ,this is a one great piece of information ,thanx and guide is updated.

[aufa333]

guide is updated ,if anything is forgotten plz pm me.

[CyberMonkey]

I am following the steps, but the CD does not open (Step 9)...infact the explorer window just freezes and does not let me do anything.....please tell me I am doing something simply wrong.......

[aufa333]

CyberMonkey said:

I am following the steps, but the CD does not open (Step 9)...infact the explorer window just freezes and does not let me do anything.....please tell me I am doing something simply wrong.......

do u try to port on SL or Lion , i guess CXEx is not fully compatible with lion just yet.

[GameGuy]

aufa333 said:

CyberMonkey said:

I am following the steps, but the CD does not open (Step 9)...infact the explorer window just freezes and does not let me do anything.....please tell me I am doing something simply wrong.......

do u try to port on SL or Lion , i guess CXEx is not fully compatible with lion just yet.

CXEx is lion compatible...either you need to reinstall CXEx, re-download the engine your using or you game cd is not mounting properly

[CyberMonkey]

I don't know what happened, but it started working. Made no changes, just tried again and again...and now it appears to be working fine now.

[GameGuy]

CyberMonkey said:

I don't know what happened, but it started working. Made no changes, just tried again and again...and now it appears to be working fine now.

Glad to hear that its working...you computer was probably overtasked at the time...mine does that some time and cxex or wineskin crashes because I was too impatient to let the full window load before clicking something

[CyberMonkey]

Another question: when installing something that has multiple discs, when it asks for the next disc, it always says the first disc can't be ejected cause it's being used....how are you supposed to switch discs?

[GameGuy]

CyberMonkey said:

Another question: when installing something that has multiple discs, when it asks for the next disc, it always says the first disc can't be ejected cause it's being used....how are you supposed to switch discs?

What you could do is find a program that can take the disk and create an iso file for use on your mac...what I did for mass effect 2 that has 2 disks was take toast titanium 10 and create 2 iso files I could mount at the same time and the installer would think its all one disk and just switch over to the second disk and keep installing. I'm not sure about any free programs that can rip disks to iso files but I'm sure there is also a terminal command you can use but I'm not sure what it is.

[slinky773]

You could also maybe use disk utility to convert the CD/DVD to an ISO.

[aufa333]

u can also just mount all ur game disks b4 u start the installation.

[jay7]

Great guide, still running into a problem - maybe u got a clue:

I try to port Fallout New Vegas cause all ports i tried had a very weak performace.

I did everything in your guide but still have the problem with GPU is not correctly detected.

I changed the Registry Direct3D to the values provided in the screenshot, didnt work.
I changed the Registry Direct3D to the values of my actually GPU (which is a AMD Radeon HD 6750M), didnt work.
I tried some other Values which has been posted on WineHQ, still the same.

When i start the game, i just still get the Message 'Failed to initialize renderer. Pixel and Vertex Shader versions incorrect. Requires a Geforce 4 4400 or Radeon 8500 or better'

I running Lion OS and i installed following WineTricks: d3dx9 and directx9.

On the WineHQ Site i can see they are talking about a WineTrick that is called quartz, which is not in my list for reference:
http://appdb.winehq.... ... &iId=21692

Maybe you got some ideas ? :)

[aufa333]

jay7 said:

Great guide, still running into a problem - maybe u got a clue:

I try to port Fallout New Vegas cause all ports i tried had a very weak performace.

I did everything in your guide but still have the problem with GPU is not correctly detected.

I changed the Registry Direct3D to the values provided in the screenshot, didnt work.
I changed the Registry Direct3D to the values of my actually GPU (which is a AMD Radeon HD 6750M), didnt work.
I tried some other Values which has been posted on WineHQ, still the same.

When i start the game, i just still get the Message 'Failed to initialize renderer. Pixel and Vertex Shader versions incorrect. Requires a Geforce 4 4400 or Radeon 8500 or better'

I running Lion OS and i installed following WineTricks: d3dx9 and directx9.

On the WineHQ Site i can see they are talking about a WineTrick that is called quartz, which is not in my list for reference:
http://appdb.winehq.... ... &iId=21692

Maybe you got some ideas ? :)

unfortunately i stopped working with poting but try this
1-http://xquartz.macosforge.org/trac/wiki/X112.7.0 and install it.
2-lso make sure that the DirectX.9 version u r using is the latest which is DirectX Jun 2010.
3-and QE_CI_Exotic patch for ur lion version.

if somthing happened after that ,then post the error msg.

[Djordje]

i got a question too. first, this tutorial is great, but can I work with CXEx Central if I don't have the original game? For example, I downloaded de .iso file of the game. I tried the same thing as you, but It can't work. Any help?

[cluthz]

Djordje, on 15 September 2012 - 09:21 AM, said:

i got a question too. first, this tutorial is great, but can I work with CXEx Central if I don't have the original game? For example, I downloaded de .iso file of the game. I tried the same thing as you, but It can't work. Any help?

CXEx is not working properly on Lion and Mountain Lion.
Devilhunter discontinued CXEx because wineskin can do everything and more that CXEx did.

[Djordje]

I have wineskin, but the problem is, I have to find .exe-files and I find only .iso-files. Converting them is a problem, but yeah, my mac runs Lion.

[HiPhish]

ISO files are just images of CDs. You can moutn the image with something like Disk Unitility and then you should find all you need inside the ISO.

[doh123]

Djordje, on 15 September 2012 - 01:00 PM, said:

I have wineskin, but the problem is, I have to find .exe-files and I find only .iso-files. Converting them is a problem, but yeah, my mac runs Lion.

.iso is like .dmg ... its an image.  Double click it and it'll mount as a disk and you'll find all the files inside including and installer.

[ariel_matrix]

hi,
i have one questions.
i try install one program http://www.fajnafakt...akturaSuper.exe , and i can't.
Please somebody help me.

[KGameLover1]

ariel_matrix, on 26 September 2012 - 10:36 AM, said:

hi,
i have one questions.
i try install one program http://www.fajnafakt...akturaSuper.exe , and i can't.
Please somebody help me.

CxEx is outdated and doesn't work on Lion. Try Wineskin.