This document contains instructions on how to build the FreeType library on Unix systems. This also works for emulations like Cygwin or MSys on Win32: 1. Ensure that you are using GNU Make ------------------------------------- The FreeType build system _exclusively_ works with GNU Make. You will not be able to compile the library with the instructions below using any other alternative (including BSD Make). Check that you have GNU make by running the command: make -v This should dump some text that begins with: GNU Make Copyright (C) Free Software Foundation Inc. Note that version 3.78.1 or higher is *required* or the build will fail. It is also fine to have GNU Make under another name (e.g. 'gmake') if you use the GNUMAKE variable as described below. As a special exception, 'makepp' can also be used to build FreeType 2. See the file docs/MAKEPP for details. 2. Regenerate the configure script if needed -------------------------------------------- This only applies if you are building a CVS snapshot or checkout, *not* if you grabbed the sources of an official release. You need to invoke the `autogen.sh' script in the top-level directory in order to create the `configure' script for your platform. Normally, this simply means typing: sh autogen.sh In case of problems, you may need to install or upgrade Automake, Autoconf or Libtool. See README.CVS in the top-level directory for more information. 3. Build and install the library -------------------------------- The following should work on all Unix systems where the `make' command invokes GNU Make: ./configure [options] make make install (as root) The default installation path is `/usr/local'. It can be changed with the `--prefix=' option. Example: ./configure --prefix=/usr When using a different command to invoke GNU Make, use the GNUMAKE variable. For example, if `gmake' is the command to use on your system, do something like: GNUMAKE=gmake ./configure [options] gmake gmake install (as root) If this still doesn't work, there must be a problem with your system (e.g., you are using a very old version of GNU Make). It is possible to compile FreeType in a different directory. Assuming the FreeType source files in directory `/src/freetype' a compilation in directory `foo' works as follows: cd foo /src/freetype/configure [options] make make install ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 by David Turner, Robert Wilhelm, and Werner Lemberg. This file is part of the FreeType project, and may only be used, modified, and distributed under the terms of the FreeType project license, LICENSE.TXT. By continuing to use, modify, or distribute this file you indicate that you have read the license and understand and accept it fully. --- end of INSTALL.UNIX ---