# Deployment Options

Once the application development has been completed, the project can be deployed and structured so that the application can not be modified. Deploy the project as follows:

1. Navigate to Project > Deploy in the menu bar to open the Deployment dialog.
2. Configure the deployment options as desired, and then click Accept to deploy the application.
3. You can then launch the deployed application by going to the deployment folder and running the Launcher exe file, or by using the shortcut on the desktop.

Note: See Deploying a Cognex Designer Projectfor information regarding deployment behavior specific to WebHMI.
Tip: Prior to deployment, the user will need a way to exit the application. In one of the Pages, add a Button with the Click Command property set to System.Shutdown, which will tie the Button to the Shutdown() function. The Alt+F4 hotkey combination will also cause the application to shutdown.

The available settings are described below.

Control | Description
--- | ---
Project Name | The name of the run time application.
Project Version | Specifies the version number of the Run {ProjectName}.exe file.
Deployment Folder | Specifies where the run time application will be stored.
Scale Option | Specifies three display options: None: Uses the resolution of the Page. Stretch: Fills the entire screen. Fit: Fills the screen, while preserving the aspect ratio. Note: When the Scale Option is set to Stretch or Fit, the Windows taskbar will be hidden. To be able to access the taskbar, enable the Windowed Mode option.
Windowed Mode | Specifies whether or not the deployed application can be minimized. When enabled, the deployed application window will have a border at startup with Minimize and Close buttons. This setting is disabled by default. The application will always be on top of other windows, and the maximize/restore button is disabled, regardless of the Scale Option setting. In addition, the application window cannot be resized; it can only be minimized or closed. Note: When enabled, and the Scale Option is set to Fit or Stretch, the deployed application UI will be set to full screen, and the Windows taskbar will be hidden while the deployed application is selected. For applications designed to have multiple Pages, each Page will show up in the same window. Regardless of whether or not Windowed Mode is enabled, you can use the Microsoft Windows keyboard shortcuts (ALT + TAB) to switch between programs while the application is deployed. However, by enabling Windowed Mode, you can minimize the deployed application.
Overwrite Folders | If checked, any sub-folders in the project directory will be copied into the deployment path. Overwrites the existing RunTime database with the one currently used in the Cognex Designer Integrated Development Environment, as well. If not checked, it will copy over any folders that currently do not exist in the deployment folder. Note: Prior to release 4.0, in the deployment folder, the overwrite option would replace files but not delete files in the folder that weren't replaced. As of release 4.0, the deployment folder is cleared of all files that weren't replaced.
Share Resources with IDE | If checked, certain project resources will be shared between the Development and Deployment applications. This allows you to make changes to certain project resources in one application, and then open the other project using those updated shared project resources. This can be very useful, for example, to debug projects in the Development project by using the resources of the Deployed application. This setting is disabled by default. When enabled, Cognex Designer shares the following resources between the Development and Deployment applications: Recipes Persistent tags File databases Localization translations The Image Recorder block (if using %PROJECT_PATH% in its file name) The Configuration override file Note: Cognex Designer plugins loaded into the project are not shared by this setting. The setting does not support updating Development and Deployed projects simultaneously (that is, by having both of them open at the same time). Doing so may result in incorrect project states, data loss and corruption, or application crashes.