Overview
This documentation outlines the necessary steps to prepare your development environment for working with MeshLib. Ensure that you follow each step carefully to guarantee a smooth setup process.
Prerequisites
Before proceeding, make sure your system meets the following requirements:
Disk space: Up to 40GB
Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Step 0: Install Git and Visual Studio
Make sure you have Git and Visual Studio installed on your machine. If not, visit the official websites to download and install the latest versions.
When installing Visual Studio 2019 or Visual Studio 2022, select the option to include support for the C++ programming language, as it is essential for MeshLib development. Both versions support the C++20 language standard.
Now, let's jump into the next steps.
Step 1: Clone MeshLib Repository
With Git installed, clone the MeshLib repository from GitHub using the following commands in your command prompt or terminal:
git clone https://github.com/MeshInspector/MeshLib.git
cd MeshLib
git submodule update --init --recursive
cd ..
Step 2: Setting Up Third-Party Dependencies: CUDA and Vcpkg
MeshLib relies on CUDA, and the CUDA version varies based on your Visual Studio version. For Visual Studio 2019, use CUDA v11.4, and for Visual Studio 2022, use CUDA v12.0. Install CUDA from the official site accordingly.
Additionally, we need Vcpkg for managing dependencies. Run the following commands in the terminal:
git clone <https://github.com/Microsoft/vcpkg.git>
cd vcpkg
git checkout 2024.01.12
.\bootstrap-vcpkg.bat
.\vcpkg integrate install (admin rights)
Note: Vcpkg requires the English language pack in Visual Studio and NTFS volumes.
Step 3: Speed Up with AWS CLI (Optional)
Optionally, install AWS CLI v2 to speed up the process before using the MeshLib Installation Script. Restart your terminal after installation.
Step 4: Execute MeshLib Third-Party Installation Script
Execute the following commands to run the MeshLib third-party installation script:
cd vcpkg
..\MeshLib\thirdparty\install.bat
This script automates the installation of necessary third-party dependencies, ensuring MeshLib is fully equipped for integration into your development environment.
After completing these steps, MeshLib is ready for use in your plugin development journey. Congratulations!