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# Building Pointcaster
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Source code for Pointcaster is available on [Github](https://github.com/matth-av/pointcaster). Start by cloning the repository:
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```sh
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git clone https://github.com/matth-av/pointcaster.git
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cd pointcaster
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```
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## Linux
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Builds on Linux use a containerised development environment created using the [Dockerfile](https://github.com/matth-av/pointcaster/blob/qt/Dockerfile) in the root of the repository. This handles download and configuration of all dependencies. Either [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/) or [Podman](https://podman.io/docs/installation) must be installed and configured on your system to proceed.
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The container image can be pulled from Pointcaster servers:
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```sh
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docker pull cr.pointcaster.net/pointcaster-dev
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```
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Or you can build it yourself (but it will take a while):
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```sh
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docker build -t pointcaster-dev .
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```
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It can be run directly to create release builds:
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```sh
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docker run --rm -t -v ./:/pointcaster:Z cr.pointcaster.net/pointcaster-dev \
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./scripts/build-linux-release.sh
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```
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The `-v` argument ensures the repository is mounted inside the container.
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For a development shell, invoke `bash` or `fish`, then you can configure and build using `cmake`:
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```sh
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docker run --rm -it -v ./:/pointcaster:Z cr.pointcaster.net/pointcaster-dev bash
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```
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Then from inside:
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```sh
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cmake --preset linux-release
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cmake --build build/linux-release
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cmake --build build/linux-release --target install
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cmake --build build/linux-release --target package
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```
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The install target places a portable build at `build/linux-release/install/bin/pointcaster`, and the package target creates an AppImage at `build/linux-release/Pointcaster-Linux-<version>.AppImage`, both of which can be run from outside the container.
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> [!TIP]
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> The docker image is used as a base for a [Development Container](https://containers.dev/) in IDEs that support it. Visual Studio Code will automatically install extensions needed for C++, CMake and QML. See the [devcontainer.json](https://github.com/matth-av/pointcaster/blob/qt/.devcontainer/devcontainer.json).
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## Windows
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### Windows Builds Using Docker
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Automated Windows builds use [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/) to configure the build environment. [`scripts/windows.Dockerfile`](https://github.com/matth-av/pointcaster/blob/qt/scripts/windows.Dockerfile) installs Visual Studio Build Tools and other binary dependencies in a Windows container. This is how release builds are produced, but if you are looking to develop Pointcaster or a Pointcaster plugin you'll most likely want to build and debug using an IDE - in which case you might prefer [installing dependencies manually](#windows-builds-in-an-ide).
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The following commands assume you have a working docker installation capable of running Windows containers on the command line.
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To build the Windows docker image:
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```sh
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docker build -f scripts/windows.Dockerfile -t pointcaster-win .
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```
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To produce a Pointcaster release package:
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```
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docker run -v ./:C:\pointcaster pointcaster-win .\scripts-build-windows-release.ps1
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```
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The `-v` argument ensures the repository is mounted inside the container.
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For a development shell:
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```
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docker run -it -v ./:C:\pointcaster pointcaster-win powershell
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```
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> [!TIP]
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> You might benefit from passing some docker args to fully utilise available resources, e.g.:
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> ```sh
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> docker run --memory=20G --cpus=16 ...
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> ```
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And from inside the container:
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```sh
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cmake --preset windows-release
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cmake --build build/windows-release
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cmake --build build/windows-release --target install
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cmake --build build/windows-release --target package
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```
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### Windows Builds in an IDE
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#### Development Dependencies
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To build Pointcaster on Windows using an IDE like Visual Studio, you'll need to install the following libraries on your host:
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- Qt ~~QtVersion~~, with the 'shadertools', 'quick3d' and 'tasktree' modules
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- oneAPI Threading Building Blocks (oneTBB) ~~TbbVersion~~
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- Python ~~PythonVersion~~
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- Jinja ~~Jinja2Version~~
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Additionally, your environment will need CMake, MSVC from Visual Studio 2022, vcpkg and Ninja.