Tutorials

   

Tutorials and Videos: 

 
   
 

Using SEA Maker

When you launch SEA Maker a new, empty Install Project document is created. To make your installer, you need to add steps or “phases” to the install process.

Adding Files

The easiest way to add files to an SEA is to drag the Payload items into the SEA Maker window from the Finder. After you have dropped the files, you will see a new “Install Files” phase listed in the SEA Maker window.

Setting the Target Destination

When a user runs your SEA, they will be prompted (by default) to specify the location to which they want the files extracted. However, you can specify a specific target location. Click the arrow in the “Destination” column and choose one of the default options on the list (such as Documents) or use the “Other...” option to specify a custom location. If the folder you specify is not present on your recipient’s computer, they will be prompted to choose a new destination

Tip: If you want to specify multiple destinations for your Payload files, each group the files with the same destination to its own phase.

Specifying a Remote Payload

SEA Maker installers can now optionally retrieve their payload from your FTP server or MobileMe iDisk. This allows the installer your distribute to be even smaller.

To specify an FTP server:

  1. Click on the “Source” column and choose FTP
  2. In the sheet that appears, fill in:
    • The Server’s address
    • The path to the directory where you would like to store the payload
    • The name you would like to give the payload file
    • Add your credentials for your FTP account.

    When the recipient run’s the installer you can specify how the payload will be retrieved. If your FTP server is also a Web server, you can select the HTTP option and fill in the address (and path) to the payload file. If your FTP server is not also a Web server then you can configure the FTP option. The Anonymous option will not attempt to send a username and password to your FTP server to retrieve the payload. If your server doesn’t allow anonymous access, leave this option unchecked and the user will be prompted for a username and password when the retrieve payload phase is running.

Displaying a Splash Screen or Image

To add a splash screen to your SEA, follow these steps:

  1. Click the "+" button in the SEA Maker window to create a new phase.
  2. Choose "Display Image" from the menu that appears.
  3. Use the navigation dialog that is created to browse for the image you want to display. SEA Maker supports a wide range of image formats. The rule of thumb is that if the image format is supported by QuickTime, it can be used with SEA Maker.
Displaying a Text Dialog
  1. To add a text dialog to your SEA, follow these steps:
  2. Click the "+" button in the SEA Maker window to create a new phase.
  3. Choose "Display Text" from the menu that appears
  4. Use the navigation dialog that is created to browse for the text file you want to use.

The Preview Tray

StuffIt SEA Maker includes a Tray that allows you to view see previews of Display Text phases and Display Image phases in your Installer Project.

Saving your Installer Project

Once you have set up your Installer Project, you can save it for later use. To save a project, choose "Save" from the "File" menu. This will save a mini-installer (.mins) document. You can load a previously saved project by choosing "Open" from the File menu.

Note: The payload files are not included within the Installer Project document. SEA Maker just links to these files in their original location. If you open an existing project file, but its payload items are no longer in their original location you will need to remove, then re-add these items before you can build an SEA from the project.


Building your SEA

Archives created by the StuffIt SEA Maker application are created as Mac OS X applications. You can create an SEA from SEA Maker by using the "Build" button in the toolbar.

If you plan to post your SEA on the Internet, we recommend that you save it onto a Disk Image (DMG). You can do this automatically by choosing the “Build Disk Image” button in the SEA Maker toolbar. When you choose this option, your SEA will be saved onto a DMG file that can be mounted as a disk in the Finder.