FreSharp - Build Adobe Air Native Extensions using C#

[el111]

While working on WebViewANE for Windows I wrapped FlashRuntimeExtensions in C++/CLI calls to allow me to more tightly integrate with C#.

I expanded this into a NuGet package to make writing ANEs in C# quicker.

Example - Convert a FREObject into a String, and String into FREObject

var inFre = argv[0];
try {
  var airString = new FreObjectSharp(inFre).GetAsString();
  Trace("String passed from AIR:" + airString);
}
catch (Exception e) {
  Trace(@"caught in C#: type: {0} message: {1}", e.GetType(), e.Message);
}
const string sharpString = "I am a string from C#";
return new FreObjectSharp(sharpString).Get();

Example - Call a method on an FREObject

var addition = person.CallMethod("add", new ArrayList
 {
  new FreObjectSharp(100),
  new FreObjectSharp(33)
 });
var sum = addition.GetAsInt();
Trace("result is: " + sum);

The source and example project is available on Github

https://github.com/tuarua/FreSharp

[SourceSkyBoxer]

Nice idea! I am happy because I am working with C# and AS3. Yay! Hehe thanks for support! Please don't forget to release with Mono / Xamarin ( Mac, Android and iOS )! Because Adobe Air works same on Android, iOS and macOS. And for Linux? I think for packing into c drive image for wine under Ubuntu with Mono / Xamarin? I'm very happy because you have saved my life for CefSharp with Air App like nw.js and Electron. That is why it is great way with C#. PS: for Android, iOS and Mac need use CefMono ( Cef for unix-used library ) PS: How do I assign stage or nativewindow as owner from C#? Is it meaning for FreObjectSharp? Thanks for answer! Sorry for my bad English!

[el111]

You mention CefSharp. I built the Windows version of my WebViewANE using CefSharp. FreSharp grew out of that project.

Check it out in my github.

You will see here how I attached the Cef window to the AIR window.

WebViewANE/MainController.cs at master · tuarua/WebViewANE · GitHub

I am not familiar with Mono. It's important to note this will not allow you to create ANEs for iOS/OSX etc in C#.

It is Windows only.

For the iOS and OSX version of the WebViewANE I used Swift and the native WKWebview which is much lighter and quicker.

[SourceSkyBoxer]

Nice job! I have downloaded and tested. It works fine. But I have problem with packing to air-runtime 😞 Because It always show crazy like bug I already set up extendedDesktop than it cannot pack to air. Only running adl with webviewANE has not problem and it works fine. PS: Why do you use Swift / C++? You know. Xamarin released since whole support with Android, iOS and Mac. I'm not sure like you want merge dll in Mac with dylib / frameworks or You can try VS code and Net core ( dotnet with platforms ). Thanks for sharing. I will improve - If I have great ideas.... 🙂

[SourceSkyBoxer]

Sorry for double post because I cannot edit it. community of Adobe freezes always. - I don't understand How do I create C++ project as "MyExtensions" How did you set up creating project from Win32 project? But from me is not working. Because I have opened propriety -> general -> net target: empty field. I already set up CLR -> CLR support... And I add include and linker from Adobe Air SDK and I add existing file to header folder than I write c++ if I check "#include "" and I switch key space and it opens popup menu and but it doesn't show "FlashRuntimeExtensions.h in my project - WHY? I always tried but It doesn't work?

[el111]

Please study my example here.

FreSharp/example/native_library/win/FreSharpExampleANE at master · tuarua/FreSharp · GitHub https://github.com/tuarua/FreSharp/tree/master/example

The solution contains

1. Win32 App project targeting dll. This acts as the C++ entry point and is the main dll for your ANE.

2. C# Class Library. This is where you put your C# logic.

There is 1 gotcha.

To set the .NET target in project 1 you need to modify this value by opening the .vcxproj file in a text editor. I don't know why you can't set this in VS.

[el111]

Also the example project has

"Additional IncludeDirectories" set to C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Flash Builder 4.7 %2864 Bit%29\sdks\4.6.0\include for FlashRuntimeExtensions.h.

"Additional Library Directories" C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Flash Builder 4.7 %2864 Bit%29\sdks\4.6.0\lib\win

Your AIR SDK might be in a different location so update accordingly

[SourceSkyBoxer]

Thanks for answer - I have submitted issues to Github. I have tried because Adobe Air freeze if I use adl or generated native-installer. What is workaround for you? Is it correct for Adobe Air SDK 19.0? or last version? My details are Adobe Air SDK 24.0 and Net Frameworks 4.6.1. Show you my video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbyEAFxDzNE

[el111]

See my response on Github

[SourceSkyBoxer]

Thanks for explanation! I am trying FreSharpExampleANELib.dll in FreSharpExampleANE.dll via: AppDomain and ResolveEventHandler(myresolver); I already included FreSharpExampleANELib.dll from project and generates into standalone dll. Than Adobe Air crashed again. I know there separated dlls are easy. Example http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1978046/loading-interdependent-assemblies-from-c-cli Thanks I hope you try that. I already - How do I eventhandler from AppDomain from InitController() - Is it correct main function from initController()? I saw extern "C" {} If Initializer call "initController()" or starting main-function.

[el111]

Is this question still relevant?

I thought we resolved everything in the GitHub ticket?

[SourceSkyBoxer]

No It is not related to github tickets. It is finish. Only question about embedding dll into native extension dll. Than It doesn't need to required dlls - If who forgets to pack dlls into native installer. Thanks! Nice weekend!

[el111]

For anyone curious. Here is an example using FreSharp to hook into the new Windows ML feature.

It also shows how we can use UWP APIs in an ANE.

GitHub - tuarua/Windows-ML-ANE: This is a Windows AIR Native Extension to test Windows ML Preview.

[fmontfort974]

I definitly love your code and ideas on how to extend AIR with modern languages.

So many thanks.