How-To: Installing Smart Client Software Factory May 2007 source code and customizing the Guidance Package in Visual Studio Orcas Beta 2

Now that we have Smart Client Software Factory May 2007 (SCSF) installed on a box with only Visual Studio Orcas Beta 2, we may want to install the SCSF source code, and why not, customize the guidance package.

To do this, we first have to modify the source code installer as we do with the factory installer (with some slightly different steps).

1. Download and install Orca MSI editor (which is distributed with the Windows SDK). The Orca MSI Editor is a table-editing tool that can be used to edit your .msi files. If you want to learn more about this tool, please visit this link.

   Note: If you don’t want to download the Windows SDK, a guy published the Orca.msi tool (Download from this place at your own risk) .

2. Open Orca MSI editor and then go to File > Open…. Browse to %programfiles%\Microsoft Smart Client Factory\Source Code Installer and select the SmartClientFactorySourceInstall.msi file.
     
   Figure 1. The Orca MSI editor with the Smart Client Software Factory Source Code msi opened.

3. Select the RegLocator table from the tables list.
     
   Figure 2. The RegLocator table of the SCSF Source Code msi.

4. Modify the following key values (replace the 8.0 with 9.0 in the paths) from this table:
   • VisualStudioProjectRegistry
   • VisualStudioInstallRegistry
     

   This is how it should look after replacing these values 
   
   Figure 3. The RegLocator table values modified.

5. Save the changes. 
6. Install Smart Client Software Factory May 2007 source code.
    
   Figure 4. The SCSF Source Code is properly installed. 

Now that the source code is installed, we need to open the guidance package to see if we are able to customize it or if we have to do something else before.

1. Browse to %sourcecodedir% and open GuidancePackage.sln.
2. Because the Guidance Package was created with a previous version of Visual Studio you must convert the solution. The Conversion Wizard will guide you through the process. Click Next to proceed.
   
   Figure 5. The Visual Studio Conversion Wizard.
3. Click Finish to start the conversion.
4. Click Close.
5. If you try to build de solution you will encounter compilation errors.
   
   Figure 6. Compilation errors after building the guidance package.
   
   This happens because the package and the installer references to GAX 1.2 assemblies instead of GAX 1.3
   
   Figure 7. Missing references in the guidance package and in the installer.
6. Remove the references and add them again. You will find the assemblies in the .NET Tab of the Add Reference dialog or in %programfiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\Common7\IDE\PublicAssemblies.

   Note: The assembly Microsoft.VisualStudio.Shell.Design is included in the Visual Studio 2008 SDK. You have to install the SDK in order to add this reference (Download SDK). After installing it the assembly will appear in the .NET Tab.

7. Customize your package. Build, register and enjoy!. 

Hope you find this guidance useful. Feel free to visit us at Codeplex Forum to give us feedback.

Important: Keep in mind that this is just a workaround so use these steps at your own risk. This guidance is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind.