> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.summerengine.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Export Troubleshooting
> Solutions to common export and publishing problems
## Common Export Errors
### "No export template found at the expected path"
**What it means**: Summer Engine can't find the runtime files needed to create standalone games.
**Solution**: This **shouldn't happen** with Summer Engine - templates are included by default.
**If you see this**:
1. Check: **Editor → Manage Export Templates**
2. Should show templates installed for version `4.6`
3. **If missing**: Contact [support@summerengine.com](mailto:support@summerengine.com) - this indicates an installation issue
Summer Engine **includes export templates** in the download. If they're missing, something went wrong with your Summer Engine installation.
***
### "Cannot export for universal or arm64 if ETC2 ASTC texture format is disabled"
**What it means**: You're trying to export for Apple Silicon Macs without the required texture compression format.
**Solution**:
**Project → Project Settings**
**Rendering → Textures → VRAM Compression → Import ETC2 ASTC**
Toggle to **On**
Summer will reimport all textures (1-5 minutes)
Status bar shows progress
Return to **Project → Export** and try exporting
**Why this happens**: Apple Silicon Macs use different texture compression than Intel Macs/PCs.
***
### "Cannot export for universal or x86\_64 if S3TC BPTC texture format is disabled"
**What it means**: You're trying to export for Windows/Intel Macs without the required texture format.
**Solution**: Same as above, but enable **Import S3TC BPTC** instead of (or in addition to) ETC2 ASTC.
**Pro tip**: Enable **both formats at once** if you're releasing on both Mac and Windows. Avoids reimporting twice.
***
### "Invalid Bundle Identifier"
**Platform**: macOS only
**What it means**: You're using the default placeholder (`com.example.game`) which isn't valid for distribution.
**Solution**:
**Project → Export** → Select your macOS preset
Scroll to **Application → Bundle Identifier**
Use reverse-domain format:
* `com.yourstudio.yourgame`
* `io.itch.username.gamename`
* `com.yourname.projectname`
Must be lowercase, use dots to separate, no spaces
Preset is now valid for export!
**Why it matters**: macOS uses bundle identifiers to track apps. Without a unique one, your game might conflict with other apps or not install properly.
***
## Export Process Issues
### Export Takes Forever
**Normal times**:
* Small game (100 MB): 30-60 seconds
* Medium game (500 MB): 1-3 minutes
* Large game (2 GB): 5-10 minutes
**If taking longer**:
* Check disk space (need 2-3x game size free)
* Close other resource-heavy apps
* First export is slower (building pak files) - subsequent exports faster
### Export Crashes Summer Engine
**Possible causes**:
* Out of memory (exporting huge game)
* Corrupted asset in project
* Disk full
**Solution**:
1. Save your project
2. Restart Summer Engine
3. Check **Output** tab for error messages before exporting
4. Try exporting to a different location (different drive)
### Exported Build Is Missing Files
**Cause**: Files not properly added to export or excluded by filters
**Solution**:
* Check **Resources** tab in export preset
* Ensure **Export Mode** is **Export all resources** (not "selected resources")
* Verify **Filters to export** doesn't exclude needed files
***
## Runtime Issues (Exported Game Problems)
### Game Won't Launch After Export
**Cause**: Missing Visual C++ Runtime
**Solution**: Most PCs have this. If not, download from [Microsoft](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist)
Summer Engine exports **should** include this automatically - contact support if issue persists.
**Cause**: Unsigned app downloaded from internet
**Solution for players**: Right-click app → **Open** → Click **Open** in dialog
**Solution for developers**: Code sign your app (requires Apple Developer account)
**Cause**: Executable not marked as executable
**Solution**:
```bash theme={null}
chmod +x MyGame.x86_64
./MyGame.x86_64
```
**Debugging steps**:
1. Run from terminal/command line to see error messages
2. Check if it works on your dev machine
3. Verify export architecture matches OS (arm64 for Apple Silicon, x86\_64 for Intel/AMD)
4. Test with minimal project - does export work with empty project?
***
### Graphics Issues in Exported Game
**Black screen or missing textures**:
* ✅ Check texture compression is enabled for target platform
* ✅ Verify shaders work in editor before exporting
* ✅ Test on GPU different from your dev machine
* ✅ Check minimum macOS/Windows version in export settings
**Low FPS after export**:
* Export in **Release** mode, not Debug
* Check **Project Settings → Rendering → Quality** - lower settings if needed
* Profile in editor first (Debug → Profiler) to find bottlenecks
### Audio Issues in Exported Game
**No sound or crackling**:
* ✅ Test audio works in editor first
* ✅ Check audio format (Ogg Vorbis recommended, not WAV)
* ✅ Verify user's PC has audio drivers installed
* ✅ Test with both speakers and headphones
***
## Platform-Specific Warnings
### macOS: "Unidentified Developer" Warning
**This is normal for unsigned apps!**
**What players see**:
> "MyGame.app cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer"
**How players bypass it**:
1. Right-click the app (don't double-click)
2. Click **Open** from menu
3. Dialog appears with **Open** button
4. Click **Open** - app launches
**Permanent fix**: Code sign your app (requires Apple Developer account - \$99/year)
**Alternative**: Publish on Steam - Steam handles signing for you
### Windows: SmartScreen Warning
**What players see**:
> "Windows protected your PC. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting."
**How players bypass it**:
1. Click **More info**
2. Click **Run anyway**
**Permanent fix**: Code sign with EV certificate (\$400/year)
**Alternative**: Publish on Steam or itch.io - users expect this from indie games
**Don't worry about these warnings for itch.io releases!** Indie game players are used to clicking through them. Steam removes them automatically.
***
## File Size Issues
### Exported Game Is Huge
**Check these**:
* Using WAV audio instead of Ogg Vorbis? (WAV is 10x larger)
* Uncompressed textures? (Enable S3TC/ETC2 compression)
* Debug symbols included? (Export as Release, not Debug)
* Unused assets in project? (Clean up before export)
**Compression comparison**:
* WAV audio (1 minute): \~10 MB
* Ogg Vorbis (1 minute): \~1 MB
* Uncompressed texture (1024x1024): \~4 MB
* Compressed texture (1024x1024): \~200 KB
### Exported Game Is Too Small (Missing Assets)
**Possible causes**:
* Export filters excluding your files
* Resources not saved in project
* Embed PCK disabled + you only distributed .exe (need both .exe and .pck)
**Solution**: Check Export preset → Resources tab → Export mode is **Export all resources**
***
## Performance Problems After Export
### Game Runs Slowly in Exported Build
**Check**:
1. Are you exporting in **Debug** mode? (Huge performance impact)
* Solution: Export as **Release**
2. Is V-Sync enabled? (Limits to 60 FPS)
* Project Settings → Rendering → V-Sync
3. Profile in editor first
* Debug → Profiler → Find bottlenecks before exporting
**Debug vs Release performance**:
* Debug mode: 30-50% slower (includes debug symbols, checks)
* Release mode: Full speed optimization
### Game Crashes After Running for a While
**Possible causes**:
* Memory leak (check if RAM usage grows over time)
* Unhandled errors in game code
* Resource loading issues
**Debugging**:
1. Enable console output (Windows: Export Console Wrapper = On)
2. Run exported game and watch for error messages
3. Fix issues in Summer Engine code, re-export
***
## Steam-Specific Issues
### Build Uploaded But Players Can't Download
**Cause**: Build not set live on default branch
**Solution**:
* Steamworks dashboard → **Builds** tab
* Select your build → **Set build live on default branch**
### Wrong Version Downloading
**Cause**: Multiple builds on different branches
**Solution**: Check which branch is set as **default** in Steamworks
### macOS Build Won't Run Through Steam
**Cause**: Incorrect launch executable path
**Solution**: Set launch executable to:
```
MyGame.app/Contents/MacOS/MyGame
```
Not just `MyGame.app` - must point to binary **inside** the bundle!
***
## itch.io-Specific Issues
### Upload Fails
**File size limits**:
* Free account: 1 GB per file
* Paid account (\$10/month): 2 GB per file
**Solution**: Compress your build or split into multiple files if over limit
### Web Game Doesn't Load
**For HTML5 exports**:
* Ensure you zipped the **entire export folder**, not just index.html
* Set correct index file (`index.html`)
* Check browser console (F12) for errors
* Some browser features require HTTPS (SharedArrayBuffer) - itch.io provides this
***
## Getting More Help
Ask in `#game-dev` channel - community helps fast!
Persistent export issues or bugs
Advanced export topics (fully compatible with Summer)
Platform-specific export instructions
**Before asking for help**: Include this info:
* Platform you're exporting to (macOS/Windows/Linux)
* Export settings you're using (architecture, embed PCK, etc.)
* Error message (full text or screenshot)
* Does it work on your dev machine but not others?
This helps us solve your issue faster!
**Contact us**:
* Discord: [Join #game-dev channel](https://discord.gg/yUpgtxnZky)
* X/Twitter: [@SummerEngineCom](https://x.com/SummerEngineCom)
* Email: [founders@summerengine.com](mailto:founders@summerengine.com)