macOS Need Help Understanding PackageMaker

[itsamystery]

I'm trying to build an install package using PackageMaker. Our software is created on a Windows machine and distributed to both Macs and Windows OS. For Mac, we currently use a .zip file because that's the best we can seem to do.

I'm trying to use PackageMaker to build and installer (which I got started). What I don't understand is if the user has to have PackageMaker on his MAC for this to work? Does it build a stand-alone package or does it have to open and build in PackageMaker each time we distribute it?

Maybe a .dmg would be better to then tell the user the correct place to move the files?

 

[Ap0ks]

PackageMaker is used to create a managed installer package (.pkg/.mpkg) that you simply give to users, and they install following the prompts as you would a Windows .exe/.msi installer.

If you use the .dmg method you can place a shortcut to the Applications folder in the .dmg so that users can drag and drop the application to install, an example can be seen here -> http://c-command.com/dropdmg/