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Build and Run the Application Launcher (Compact 7)

  • Article

3/12/2014

After you have customized the Microsoft Silverlight for Windows Embedded application launcher, add your updated XAML project to the OS design, rebuild the theme DLL by using the Command Prompt window in Platform Builder, copy the updated files to the release directory, build your OS design project and OS image, and run it on your device hardware. This procedure describes how to build the application launcher and run it on a virtual CEPC.

Prerequisites

Create and Prepare the OS Design and Application Launcher Project

To add the updated XAML UI for the Silverlight for Windows Embedded application launcher to the run-time image

  1. Copy the directory and its contents from your working folder to its original location in the %_WINCEROOT% directory, in %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Shell\Oak\XRShell\Assets.

    Note

    When you copy an updated XAML project to the Public folder, Windows Embedded Compact adds it to the run-time image for each OS design that you build on your computer.

  2. If the XAML UI uses source graphic files (for example, .gif, .bmp, or .png files), do the following:

    1. Add the graphic files to a directory, for example, C:\ImageFiles.

    2. In Solution Explorer, select the OS design name.

    3. On the Project menu, click Properties.

    4. Expand Configuration Properties.

    5. Click Custom Build Actions.

    6. In Build Step, select Pre-Make Image.

    7. Click New.

    8. Type a build step to copy the graphic files to the release directory. For example:

      copy C:\ImageFiles\Theme1.png $(_FLATRELEASEDIR)\Theme1.png
copy C:\ImageFiles\Theme2.png $(_FLATRELEASEDIR)\Theme2.png
copy C:\ImageFiles\Theme3.png $(_FLATRELEASEDIR)\Theme3.png

    9. Click OK.

  3. In Microsoft Visual Studio 2008, with your OS design project opened for editing, open a build window. In Solution Explorer right-click the OS design name, and select Open Release Directory in Build Window.

  4. At the command prompt, browse to %_WINCEROOT%\Public\Shell\Oak\XRShell\Themes\<Directory_Name>, where <Directory_Name> is the name of the directory that contains the updated XAML project.

  5. At the command prompt, type build.

  6. In Platform Builder, on the Build menu, click Copy Files to Release Directory.

  7. If you have changed the OS design by modifying catalog items or changing project configuration settings, save all your files and rebuild the OS design project.

  8. On the Build menu, click Make Run-Time Image.

  9. Start the Virtual CEPC that you have preconfigured and connected to Platform Builder, as described in Develop with Virtual CEPC. For example, to start Virtual CEPC on a Windows 7 computer:

    • On the Start menu, point to All Programs, point to Windows Virtual PC, and then click Windows Virtual PC.
    • Double-click the Virtual CEPC you have preconfigured.

  10. On the Target menu, click Attach Device.

    Your OS image is downloaded to the virtual CEPC and boots up to show your new application launcher.

Editing the XAML Projects for the Sample Applications

You can also edit the default XAML for Silverlight for Windows Embedded functionality, such as the sample applications that are launched by the sample home screen. By editing the XAML for those applications, you can ensure that their UI design is consistent with the UI design for the application launcher.

In Windows Embedded Compact 7, the Expression Blend XAML projects that you can edit for small and medium display screens are the Bluetooth Settings, Music Player, Video Player, Photo Viewer, Software-based input panel, and Message Boxes applications. You cannot edit projects for Music Player, Video Player, or Photo Viewer for large display screens.

See Also

Concepts

Create an Application Launcher in Silverlight for Windows Embedded