Paquet Builder stores all of its settings (the project) in a file called project file (file extension: .pbp). You can use the Load/Save button to open or save project files at any time. But before that, you need to create a new project.
To create a project file, select New in the File menu (or click on New in the toolbar) and this window will appear:
When a project is created, it is time to fill in the basic information fields.
Which package type should you select?
Paquet Builder supports creating four types of package: Standard Package, Package for a Setup Routine, Package for a Multimedia Program and Files Archive.
| Please be sure to read the full description of each package type, because each one has its own features and functionality; moreover you cannot change the type of a project once it is started. |
Standard Package: most of the time, you will use this package type. It is designed for easy distribution of your files, programs and documents. You (or your end users) can specify a default folder where files will be unpacked to. They also support advanced options that are not available in other packages (like File Custom Destination, Shortcut creation or Package Uninstaller).
Recommended in 95% of cases.
Package for a Setup routine: (a.k.a. "Setup Package") intended for software developers who want to package their existing Setups or installation program files into a single Self-Installing .exe file ready to be distributed over the Internet, networks or on removable media. It extracts all files to a temporary folder and then launch the specified installation program. When the latter closes, all temporary files are removed.
Recommended if you have already a Setup routine like Microsoft Windows Installer packages (MSI), Windows INF Setups, old InstallShield® setups...
If you want to create a brand new Setup routine for a software program using Paquet Builder, then you need to create a Standard package, not a Package for a Setup routine.
Package for a Multimedia Program: (a.k.a. "Media Package"): intended for multimedia authors who create multimedia presentations, e-cards, mini-games, you can have your multimedia main executable (eventually its runtime) and all its resources compressed inside a single executable. Using this package type allows you to electronically distribute multimedia projects as a single executable (that does not require the use of a CD ROM for instance); and also does not require a "permanent" installation on the user's hard drive for its use.
It extracts all files to a temporary folder and then launch the main multimedia program. When the latter terminates, all files are removed.
This package type is similar to the package for a Setup routine (except some options) but dedicated to multimedia authors.
Files Archive: your files will be compressed into a traditional archive file with the specified compression method. No Self-Extracting functionality is included (in other words, you will need a third-party program to unpack the archive contents).
The archive can still be used later in Paquet Builder with Package Express or in the "Existing Archive" option of the file manager.
Which compression method should you select?
Paquet Builder has support for three different compression methods:
The Zip method (ZIP archives, extension .zip) is the well-known standard compression technology: Paquet Builder offers you several compression options (compression level, store path information...). Zip files are ideal for a limited number of small files. Recommended for small packages (if the total size of your packaged files does not exceed 1 MB).
The Cabinet method (Cabinet archives, extension .cab) is a compression technology designed and used by Microsoft. The Cabinet format introduces a strong compression technology called LZX (Lempel Ziv eXtended) whose compression ratios are sometimes better than Zip, Ace, Rar2... Please note that Paquet Builder supports several options too for Cabinet files, and it does not need any external tools. Recommended, especially as the decompression phase is extremely fast (and LZX might be better than 7-Zip for some file formats, like sound files).
Finally the 7-Zip method (7z archives, extension .7z) is a high level compression format managed by Igor Pavlov, introducing a strong compression algorithm (LZMA). 7-Zip compresses better than Zip, Cab, Ace, Rar3 (sometimes)... Paquet Builder's 7-Zip Self-Extracting packages do not include any external runtime. Highly recommended if the total size of your packaged files exceeds 3 MB (otherwise rather use Cabinet LZX).
However you may note that 7-Zip compression/decompression is slow and requires a lot of memory: if you look for a fast compression/decompression with a good ratio, then choose the Cabinet compression.
According to your needs, you must select the appropriate compression method (Zip compression is the default one). At any time, you can always change the compression method in the Compression Options page and compare the results (Paquet Builder displays the compression ratio in the log).