build_with_clion_vc6_toolchain

Compile Command & Conquer Generals And Zero Hour with VC6 in CLion

This guide shows how to configure CLion to work with the Visual Studio 6.0 toolchain, maintaining compatibility with the original compiler from the game's development era. To compile the source code for Command & Conquer: Generals and Zero Hour using the CLion IDE, follow the steps outlined below.

Prerequisites

• Visual Studio 6.0 Portable

  See the Visual Studio 6.0 Portable installation instructions for setup details.

• CLion

This guide assumes the user uses the default installation folder for Visual Studio 6.0 Portable: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\

Step 1: Clone and Open the Project

1. Clone the source code from TheSuperHackers:

   git clone https://github.com/TheSuperHackers/GeneralsGameCode.git

   Alternatively, you can clone the repository directly from within CLion.

2. Open the cloned folder in CLion.

Step 2: Setting Up the Toolchain in CLion

1. In CLion, go to File → Settings → Build, Execution, Deployment → Toolchains.

2. Add a new Toolchain by clicking the + button.

3. Select System as the type (not Visual Studio).

4. Rename the toolchain to Visual Studio 6.

5. Next to the toolchain name, add the environment file by clicking the + button and pointing to the following file:

   C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\VC98\Bin\VCVARS32.BAT
   

   Warning: Make sure to change the file extension from .BAT to .bat (lowercase) in the path to the environment file in the CLion toolchains window, otherwise CLion may have issues detecting the environment for some reason.

6. Set the paths for the tools:

   • Build Tool: Choose the NMAKE.EXE file from VC6. For example:

     C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\VC98\Bin\NMAKE.EXE
     

   • C Compiler: The cl.exe should be detected automatically. If not, set it manually to:

     C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\VC98\Bin\cl.exe
     

   • C++ Compiler: The cl.exe will also be detected automatically.

Step 3: Configuring the CMake Profiles

1. To configure the CMake profiles, proceed with the following steps:

   • Go to File → Settings → Build, Execution, Deployment → CMake. (should open automatically after opening the folder containing the cloned source code)
   • Disable the default Debug profile.
   • Enable vc6 - Release build
   • Enable vc6-debug - Debug build
   • Enable vc6-profile - Profile build

   For detailed information about each build configuration and their specific purposes, see the Build Configurations Overview.

Step 4: Configuring the Installation Path

1. In the Run/Debug Configurations dropdown, select the target game: z_generals (Zero Hour) or g_generals (Generals).

2. Open the same dropdown, then for the target game you just selected, click the 3 dots on the right, then Edit...

   Note: This step must be repeated for both z_generals and g_generals targets.

   • Set Program arguments with your preferred command line arguments, such as -win, -quickstart, etc.

   • Set Executable to the path of your game install plus the built executable name, for example:

     C:\Program Files (x86)\Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour\generalszh.exe (for Zero Hour) or
     C:\Program Files (x86)\Command & Conquer Generals Zero Hour\generalsv.exe (for Generals)
     

     This ensures that the game starts correctly after clicking the run button in CLion.

   • Set Working directory to the game directory.

   • Check the Run as administrator option.

   • To avoid duplicate builds, remove the Build step.

   • In the Before launch section, add a new install step.

   • Save the configuration, and you are ready to build and run the project.

Step 5: Compiling and Running the Project

Click Run on the toolbar, or build the project and run the executable from the game directory.

Running Debug Builds

⚠️ Debug Build Requirements: To run a debug build of the game, you need to have
the following two files in the game directory alongside the built executable:

• MSVCRTD.DLL
  Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library (Debug)
• MSVCIRTD.DLL
  Microsoft Visual C++ Internationalization Runtime Library (Debug)

Notes

• Working with VC6 requires some adjustments, so it’s a good idea to verify that the toolchain is working properly.
• Administrator rights may be required to run VC6 tools, so run CLion as an administrator if needed.