Overview
During the development process it's not uncommon for files to change, or new files to be added to the patch periodically. When updating the patch, it is very easy to overlook new file entries that must be distributed. In cases where you do not need to set specific properties, creating a folder reference will keep your patch up-to-date whenever you build.
Instead of adding individual files to your patch one by one, you can specify entire folders to include. This is accomplished by adding a folder reference to your patch whose contents are included at build time. You can include all the files and subfolders in the specified folder, or include/exclude files based on a file mask.
Folder references can be added to your project using one of the following methods:
From the program menu by choosing Versions > Add Reference...
By pressing Ctrl+Insert on your keyboard to open the "Browse For Folder" dialog.
By right clicking on the design window and selecting Add Folder Reference...
By dragging the desired folder onto the Visual Patch design window.
Note: Adding a folder reference to your project makes a reference to that folder's contents on your development system. It does not make a copy, or modify its contents in any way.
Selected folder references can be removed from your project using one of the following methods:
From the program menu by choosing Edit > Delete.
By pressing the Delete key on your keyboard while a folder reference is selected.
By right clicking on a selected folder reference and choosing Remove.
Note: Removing a folder reference from your project only removes its reference in your project. The folder or its contents will not be deleted from your development system.
Once folder references have been added to your project, you may need to edit the properties of individual, or groups of folder references in your project file list.
There are two types of folder reference properties dialogs in Visual Patch:
The dialog that opens depends upon how many folder references are selected for editing. You can edit the properties for one or more folder references by first selecting them and then using one of the following methods:
For single folder references, you can double click them.
Choose Versions > File Properties... from the program menu.
Right click on the selected folder reference(s) and select File Properties...
By pressing Ctrl+Enter on your keyboard while the folder reference(s) is selected.