If I run --everything, the direct folder is copied into the built folder almost immediately. If I run --nothing --use-python (after deleting the contents of the built folder and without --threads), it does not create the direct folder. Part of my problem was that since I had been running w/ --nothing, I didn’t realize a direct folder was SUPPOSED to end up in built!
I’m guessing there is a bug (at least from my expectations) that wasn’t caught in testing since it sounds like not many people compile with --nothing --use-python as the only arguments to makepanda.bat.
I’ll work with the --everything build for now. I will look at 1.8 at some point, but to be honest, cvs is a real pain on windows. pySvn/tortoisesvn/tortoisehg have spoiled me, I guess.
Thanks for the great support!