IDE Alternatives to Microsoft Visual C++?

[Squisterson]

Hi!

I'm looking for a less costly alternative to Microsoft Visual C++ for developing Photoshop plugins. Visual C++ Express won't do, apparently, since it doesn't support 64-bit, which the Photoshop SDK seems to depend on.

There are many listed on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_integrated_development_environments, but I don't know which would work best for developing for Photoshop. Does anyone have any experience on alternative IDEs?

Thanks!

[neat-o]

Are you sure Express won't support 64-bit? Here are some steps to target 64 bit apps with express:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/9yb4317s%28v=vs.80%29.aspx

one highlighted part says:

64-bit tools are not available on Visual C++ Express Edition by default.  To enable 64-bit tools on Visual C++ Express Edition, install the .NET  Framework SDK in addition to Visual C++ Express Edition. Otherwise, an  error occurs when you attempt to configure a project to target a 64-bit  platform using Visual C++ Express Edition.

Not sure if that's what you're talking about. HTH

[Squisterson]

That sounds... EXACTLY what I was talking about (though for Visual Studio Express 2010). Downloading the Windows SDK right now. Will try it out tomorrow. Thanks!

[Squisterson]

Yup, it worked! Thanks again! Now how do I update your "Helpful Answer" to a "Correct Answer"?

[qu1j0t3]

I use Eclipse as IDE and build my Windows plugins on Linux using WINE and MSVC Express CLI toolchain (though mingw also works). I also use Eclipse as IDE for Mac OS X plugin builds (PPC, Intel, etc).

Life's too short for Windows. You can almost avoid it entirely for 32 & 64 bit plugin development  (except for testing, which can be done in a virtual machine).

[Vee Cel]

Can you outline how you set up Eclipse to build your plugins?