There's a section about compiling RF with MS VC++ 6 in the docs. Setting up MS VC++ 2005 is pretty much the same:
Step 1 Download the necessary files.
You'll need to get the following files:
DirectX9 Headers and Libraries (Note: Microsoft DirectX9c does not support MS VC++ 6 anymore, you need an older version)
Genesis3D Headers and Libraries
Reality Factory Source files
Step 2 Install the necessary files.
First, install the Reality Factory source. The default directory is C:\RealityFactory\source. Under that directory are some subdirectories:
hashtable - hashtable utility
HawkNL - The network code
ode39_win32 - Physics SDK (not currently used)
Qx - Lucas Ackerman and Jeff Thelen's Skydome code
Simkin - The scripting code, comes from
http://www.simkin.co.uk
Next install the Genesis_02052007.zip file on your system. This file includes the Genesis3D headers and libs, and also includes the decrypt, freeimage, joystick, ogg and vorbis libs. Unzipping this file should create a directory under your Reality Factory directory (at the same level as the source directory) called Genesis_02052007, under which are:
Include - The '.h' files for the underlying Genesis3D rendering engine RF is a 'wrapper' for
Lib - 'library' files for Genesis3D, and also Joystick.lib, ogg.lib, vorbis.lib, freeimage.lib, decrypt.lib
Finally, install the DirectX libs. A DirectX directory is created containing the DirectX library Genesis3D uses. DirectX is a standard for graphics that Microsoft operating system computers use. Note the directory that they are installed to, as you will need this information later.
Step 3 Set up Microsoft Visual C++
MS Visual C++ must be setup to make use of the files we have just installed. Since each project cannot have its own directory paths to search for headers and libs we must setup Visual C++ to always search the proper directories. This is done as follows:
Microsoft VC++ 2005
Open the project by double clicking on 'realityfactory.vcproj'.
Go to Tools->Options...
In the tree view click on Projects and Solutions and then on VC++ Directories
From the Show directories for box choose the Include files entry.
Double click on the rectangular box at the bottom of the list
Type in (or browse to) the directory location of the Genesis3D headers.
Again, double click on the rectangular box at the bottom of the list.
Type in (or browse to) the directory location of the DirectX headers.
Use the up arrow button at the top of the directory list to move these directory locations to the top of the list.
From the Show directories for box choose the Library files entry.
Double click on the rectangular box at the bottom of the list
Type in (or browse to) the directory location of the Genesis3D libs.
Again, double click on the rectangular box at the bottom of the list.
Type in (or browse to) the directory location of the DirectX libs.
Use the up arrow button at the top of the directory list to move these directory locations to the top of the list.
Close the dialog by pressing the OK button at the bottom.
Step 4 Building the EXE.
Microsoft Visual C++ is now ready to compile the Reality Factory source. It is important that no directory be above the DirectX and Genesis3D lib and header directory location in the list that may contain other versions of those libs and headers. This can happen if you have installed another Genesis3D-based project. Reality Factory uses a modified version of the Genesis3D engine and only those modified headers and libs will allow the project to be compiled. Since the directories in the list are searched from top to bottom, the Reality Factory directories should be at the top of the list to avoid problems.
Pull down "Rebuild All" from the Build menu. In a few minutes, if successful, you will have a new realityfactory.exe file in your Reality Factory directory.
Warning: If you're using your main game directory, rename or put a copy of your WORKING realityfactory.exe somewhere as it will get deleted when the compiler starts building the new one.