DIGG IT! In case you overlooked that new 'libs' directory in your Flex projects. Flex Builder 3 added a place to drag and drop your SWC files so they are automatically added to your project. Just find a swc, like FlexLib, Yahoo Maps AS3, AS3Crypto or many others, and drop them in that innocent libs folder. Come on, I dare you!
Once the swc is there all classes will be available in your project without touching the Project Properties dialog. W00t!
Whoever added this one to Flex Builder 3, I thank you!
Ted :)
it'd even be nicer if there was a global libs.
That is a cool feature, just wish we had a global libs folder to store them in to avoid dupes. I know we can do path vars but then we're back in the properties panel...;)
P E A C E
Hasan
Wow, I wasn't aware of that one.. nice tip, thanks.
I used to just remove the file since it didn't seem to be used for anything, but not anymore.
I do my own centralized global lib and it is a bit of a pain. I'm not sure copy/paste is more beneficial than linking in by hand ( my laptop only has 180 gig ;). That being said - someone write an Ant script to populate the xml already - and build me an interface to mange what gets added.
It would be a nice to be able to easily edit the libs folder's location to another directory on the system where the swc's are contained via a right click or some other shortcut.
Ok this workflow works to create a global libs folder:
1. Delete the libs folder!
2. File>New>Folder
3. Name the folder libs
4. Click "Advanced"
5. Create a folder anywhere (this will be global libs)
6. Select "Link to folder in the file system"
7. Select the global libs folder
The project will correctly inspect the libs folder and all swc files will be imported correctly as normal libs behavior. This worked for me on mac.
W00t!
Ted :)
Ted, you the man! (that's why they pay you the big bucks). Seriously, this will save me time.
Wow, that is a cool tip. Thanks!
Anyone use Maven? It's very popular among Java programmers and allows you to have a "global" libs (called repository) and each project can reference this.
Maven also maintains a remote repository (available via http) and it has major libraries in it which you can reference, and Maven downloads it to your local repository, which is usually your HDD.
Ted, How do we modify existing swcs? I added a libs folder. moved all my swcs into and tried compiling and I get a million errors. Exmple most have a xmlns definition, how is that changed?
It seems some people often avoid of using the new feature just because no one from Adobe haven't posted about it in the blog :)
Blogpower! Useful post on really useful thing. Thank you Ted and thank you The One Who Added Libs to Flex Builder!
Global libs on a local machine are a nightmare for shared projects. Instead use version control and a link to a single repository for your swcs. (i.e. in SVN use an 'external'). It is an incredible pain in the ass when you inherit a project from someone and it won't build because all the dependencies point to "C:\MyPersonalFiles\PersonalMachine\NotInVerisonControl\lib\file.swc"
Hi there.
When I commit with a CVS repository, the libs folders always deseapear. This make a compilation error.
How can i do to not delete this folder?
This works fine for Flex Project, but it does not work for Flex Library Project.
Any particular reason for this?