UPDATE: 2016-06-16: Qt 5.7 Release is out ! You can still follow my descriptions below from 5.7 RC – process is similar.
This blog series is about the new Qt Quick Controls 2 to develop mobile apps for Android and iOS.
Before going on you should have read my blog – esp. on ‘Prepare for Android / iOS‘ and ‘Prepare Devices‘
Besides Qt 5.7 you’ll also get a new Qt Creator 4.0.2.
Perhaps you already have an older version of Qt already installed, you can use the Maintenance Tool to update. I’m always doing a fresh install for each Beta, RC or Release.
Before downloading and installing you should know if you want to install the Open Source or Commercial version of Qt for Application Development.
Please take a look at Qt FAQ‘s and also my blog post about licensing and the new license for small Startups and Independent Developers.
I’m using the Commercial version for Startups – see Qt’s offer here: https://www.qt.io/start-up-plan/
Read more about Open Source vs Commercial also in my blog about ‘Install Qt 5.6‘
Here are my steps to download and install Qt 5.7 RC (commercial):
Install Qt 5.7
Go to your Qt Account – Downloads and select the Qt Online Installer:
UPDATE: now: 2.0.3-2 for Qt 5.7 release:
UPDATE: now: qt-unified-mac-x64-2.0.3-2-online.dmg
Here’s my download on OSX:
Double click to install:
Log into your Account:
Select the folder where to install:
As next select your components:
and wait for the installer:
If Installer finished, I’m not launching Qt Creator yet.
Start Qt Creator with -settingsPath
All Qt Creator instances by default share the settings. Having the new Qt Creator 4.0.2 and old 3.6.2 using the same settings is no good idea. Also I want to use different working directories for my Qt 5.6, 5.7 Beta, 5.7 RC and the new Qt 5.7 Release.
You can start Qt Creator wit parameter -settingsPath – here’s HowTo do this from OSX:
Search for the Qt Creator.app from Qt 5.7 and do a right-click on the app. Here’s the content:
rename Qt Creator to something like Qt Creator-bin:
From a Text Editor create a Script to execute the Qt Creator-bin with a parameter:
Save this file named “Qt Creator” besides the Qt Creator-bin:_
Now you can start Qt Creator, which will execute the script:
Qt Creator will create the QtProject folder where all the configuration settings are stored.
Now you can start multiple Qt Creator versions without any collision.
Qt Creator 4.0.2
First thing you’ll notice after starting Qt Creator 4.0.2 is the new default flat design. If you don’t like it you can go back to the old one or a dark theme:
I’m also changing the language from german to english.
And here’s the new flat design:
Qt Creator Preferences Working Directory
Set your working directory for 5.7, if you are using different directories as I’m doing:
Qt Creator Preferences Android
Take a look at your Android preferences:
Select your SDK and NDK locations and check ‘Gradle’:
Qt Creator External Tools
I’m developing business apps and business apps always need support of languages (i18n). Configuring the External Tools for Linguist (Qt’s Tool to translate text from your QML and C++ sources) will make it more comfortable.
As first step we’ll add the Linguist App.You’ll find the Linguist at 5.7 –> clang_64 –> bin:
I like to use Tools in english, but the language cannot be changed yet for Linguist, so the trick is to rename the translations file, which in my case is 5.7 –> clang_64 –> translations –> linguist_de.qm:
Under Preferences –> Environment –> External Tools there already exist access to commands for lupdate and lrelease. (lupdate is looking for the strings you marked as translatable and to create or update the translation files <app>.ts. Using Linguist or external tools you can then translate the strings. lrelease compiles these translations from *.ts into *.qm. Only *.qml files will be deployed to your device)
I found out that the default configuration doesn’t work on Android and iOS – please change the executable:
Test if Linguist will start. From External Tools
Linguist should start:
Verify Installation: Gallery Qt Quick Controls 2
As last step verify if all is correct configured.
Best way to do this and to get a first impression of new QtQuick Controls 2 is to run the new Quick Controls 2 Gallery App.
From Overview – Examples search for “Gallery” and select the right one:
Configure your project for Android / iOS:
Now run on your device(s).
Select your Device – here’s my BlackBerry PRIV (Android 6.0.1):
… and the Gallery App is running:
Now you can try out all the new Controls.
Congrats – now you have installed Qt 5.7. Some more appetizers ?
Clone my Examples from Github and Run
Please follow my blog series: https://appbus.wordpress.com/category/qt-for-mobile/overview/
