Can I run my app without installing SystemSoftware.exe?

Hi,

I wok on my application base nxOgre, can I run it without installing Ageia SystemSoftware.exe (just copy dlls to my work directory)?

thanks in advance!

Since the package includes drivers and stuff that are required to run an PhysX app it's higly recommended that you install the system software package.

Actually it is needed. The PhysX SDK won't start without it installed.

oh, not good.

Why is that not good, i mean, its logical, because if got a PPU you need a driver.

but it would be much cooler if you're users wouldn't need to install the systemsoftware only because you need one dll.

Ok, but you have to decide, if want some "simple" physics in your game or app without a systemdriver or without a ppu-card, than you should probably use Newton or Havok.

But if you want some fancy physics with clothes, fluids, etc. than you need a ppu with a driver...

Actually you can do cloth without a card.

The System Software is needed just because. I don't argue with Ageia with this one. Do you moan that you need to install DirectX to use your graphics card after a reformat?

I think not.

Do you moan that you need to install DirectX to use your graphics card after a reformat

No but you need to install your "systemdriver" for your graphics-card.
DirectX is just an interface that you don't need to install, if you are using GL.

But the fact is, that you need to install a driver for your graphics-card...

Or did i misunderstand something? The Question was: May i use PhysX without a driver? Right?

So could ask: May i use my graphics card without a driver?

Ok you're a bit right, ageia could release a package for non-ppu users..

Well technically speaking, the SystemSoftware.exe is the PPU driver and "software driver", and makes PhysX go regardless either way.

You may also notice, if you go into the C:\Program Files\AGEIA Technologies\ directory there many "version" directories, each with the DLL's of PhysX (minus the character controller and cooking). Very handy if you don't want distribute the PhysX dll's with you.

But the most important thing, NxOgre will not work without it.

"PhysX_SystemSoftware.exe" is so big, more than 20M. You would not like to distribute the package together with your small application.

On the other hand, there are a few people have a pc with ppu, installing the driver is unnecessary.

I want my application work ok with just copying all of the necessary dlls.

Well like I said the PhysX library needs it and there's nothing I can do about it either.

hmm, hopefully we are done here...
What did we figured out:

1. 1.If you want to use physX in your Application, then you need the
   system_driver, no mattter if you got a ppu or not.
   2.The current 20m package(2.6.0) is not official released yet(2.5.1)
   So the release could be a bit smaller, hopefully.
   3. PhysX, better nxOgre rocks..^^
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