Need help from other SDL_TTF users

[ggambett]

I'm trying to wrap Betty's Beer Bar with ActiveMARK (TryMedia's wrapper). However, something is wrong with SDL_TTF, causing the wrapped executable to crash. The unwrapped executable works fine.

I had a similar problem with Armadillo; I recompiled SDL_TTF and the new version worked fine, although I never found out why.

Has any of you, SDL_TTF users, packaged your game with ActiveMARK or Armadillo? If so, did you have any problem?

[Scorpio]

We're actually having a problem with Trivia Machine crashing when wrapped with ActiveMARK. This is an unlocked build (which is then wrapped) but we don't have problems with the dozen other builds we do.

Trymedia sent me some docs on how to use their "HelperStub" library to help track down the problem. Unfortunately, I haven't had time to do it yet but I plan to soon as Trymedia sales have picked up for us.

If you find anything out, please let me know! (and I'll do the same :)
-Scorpio

[HairyTroll]

Gabriel,

A new version of SDL_TTF was released on the 15'th. Have you tried linking against that?

-Luke

[Valen]

Yeah they did release SDL_TTF 2.0.7 which fixes a few things. Prior to 2.0.7 there was a bug that caused a crash when you tried to load a font file that doesn't exist. This may be related to the problem you were having. Also fixes memory corruption when using italics. The whole list is here (http://www.libsdl.org/cgi/cvsweb.cgi/SDL_ttf2/CHANGES)

[ggambett]

I tried with the last one, the effect is the same... I never load non-existing fonts, and I don't use italics - besides, I'm pretty sure the problem is with the DLL loading itself. It works unwrapped, it stops working when wrapped, which intercepts DLL calls...

[Valen]

Oh so you mean that the DLL from SDL's site doesn't work wrapped but when you build your own it does? That's pretty weird I agree. Try posting it on the SDL mailing list -- somebody might be able to tell you why this is happening. Or you can even try to email Mr. Lantinga himself. :) A long time ago I did that, and for a stupid question too (something about VSYNC). At the time I didn't know about the mailing list. He did reply though.

[Scorpio]

If you check out the ActiveMARK help/faq (I can't remember exactly where I read it) there's a section specifically about crashes that happen after wrapping. There's a section that talks about loading files and how it can cause problems (and steps you can take to prevent it).

Since the ActiveMARK FAQ has a section on crashing caused after by wrapping, you might look at ActiveMARK as the prime suspect.

I'll try to dig in to the "helper stub" solution soon.
-Scorpio

[ggambett]

I read that, I tried all the compat_ settings in the project file, but the problem is still there.

The TryMedia guys haven't answered yet - what's that Helper Stub you talk about?

[Scorpio]

The TryMedia guys haven't answered yet - what's that Helper Stub you talk about?I haven't really looked into it yet, but I think it's a small library that will output a bunch of logging info. I'm probably out of the office all next week but I'll look at the info I have the first week of January and let you know (the Trymedia support guys sent it to me).
-Scorpio