Project Description

Dynamics AX 2012 Development toolset (DT) is an enhanced compilation of various tools and tweaks. Below you can find a list of the original tools used with detailed description. DT contains multiple tweaks for most standard development tools available in AX. It is designed to be used in both standalone and shared development environments allowing personalised setup for each developer and giving additional control for DEV_Admin user.

Purpose

The purpose of DT is to provide a better development experience in a Microsoft Dynamics AX single or shared environment with a minimum code changes and maximum flexibility. The groups of users who would benefit the most from the DT are those having development access. However other users also might benefit from DT in the day-to-day job.

Compatibility

Expect compatibility with all AX 2012 releases.

Installation requirements

To fully install DT a write access for AOS and Client folders required.
You can either deploy dll files from the resources nodes or compile new one from C Sharp projects.

Installation

1. For AX 2012 R2 the model file is available for cus layer. Use AXUtil.exe or AX 2012 Management shell to install. Otherwise apply xpo file. Be careful when importing system classes Application, Info and SysSetupFormRun. Import those after all other objects are imported and all conflicts resolved.

2. Deploy dll files. Those are not critical part of the installation but will be used by Editor and Editor HK. Either deploy prebuild from the resources or manually deploy each C Sharp Project.

To deploy dll files from the resources: 
- For Editor extensions click Form 'Development toolset parameters' > Action pane 'General' > Group 'Editor' > Button 'Extensions' you will be prompted to deploy missing files. Or manually export all DEV_EditorExtensions_* resources to "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Dynamics AX\60\Client\Bin\EditorComponents\".
- For DEV_WindowsInput.dll open \Resources\DEV_WindowsInput and export file to "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Dynamics AX\60\Server\%AXSERVER%\Bin\VSAssemblies\".

To deploy C Sharp Projects: 
Navigate to Visual Studio Projects\C Sharp Projects\ select edit and deploy each DEV_* project. 

3. Restart AOS and compile private project DEV_Toolset.

Initial configuration

Some configuration options like environment name are controlled by DEV_Admin user which needs to be defined in macros. Some other options can be setup to be controlled by and DEV_Admin user.

Open macros DEV_Toolset and define DEV_AdminUser for your environment by setting UserID. The default value is “Admin”.

Finish configuration by opening DT parameters form by pressing F10 in the Development workspace and setting required options. Project prefix parameter is used when “Create new project” form and Project management form are used.

Includes

Form Digger and HK Framework	by Evgeny Arlionak	earlionakru.blogspot.com
Development toolbar	by Max Belugin	axcoder.blogspot.com
Create project and Editor scripts	by Ivan Kashperuk	kashperuk.blogspot.com
Table browser extended	by Ruslan Goncharov	rusgon.blogspot.co.uk
Editor extensions	by J. A. Estevan	jaestevan.com
Ideas and code	by AXforum members	axforum.info
Development tools	by axaptapedia	www.axaptapedia.com

Screens

DT Parameters. Default HK "F10" when in Development workspace

 

Hotkey framework with default setup

 

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 X++ Editor Extensions https://ax2012editorext.codeplex.com Added options

 

Table browser

 

 

 Form's hotkeys:

• F2 toggles grid filtering.
• F3 toggles filtering by type.
• F4 toggles filtering by mandatory property.
• F6 toggles between name and label display.
• F8 clear filters.

Compare form

 

Import form

Export form

Find form

 Form's hotkeys:

 

• F2 toggles search option.
• F3 toggles Match case option.
• F4 toggles Match word option.
• F5 start the search.
• F6 clear search criteria.
• F8 toggles Source code option.
• F9 sets the breakpoint for the selected lines. 

Breakpoints

Autostart form. Autostart projects, forms, classes, menu items etc.

Projects form

Development toolbar. Open from menu Tools > Development toolbar

Maintenance job

Form Digger Info example. Default HK "ALT + 1" on required form control

 

Form Digger Form example. Default HK "ALT + 2" on any form control

Used by form

Element reference form

Jump by reference. Default HK "INSERT" on the AOT object

 

Known issues

1. Compilation error in VS 2010 "The OutputPath property is not set for project 'DEV_WindowsInput.csproj'"

• This is causing no issue

2. Controls are not redrawing on the Development Toolbar after Security test workspace has been opened

• Workaround: Toolbar restart

3. Editor "code format functionality" not working properly

• Require fix

4. No custom labels created for this project. It is either using system labels whenever possible or using a hard-coded English text.

• No planned changes on this at the moment.

Planned changes

1. Fix known issue where possible.

2. Improve AOT jump by reference with new form.

3. Add new feature in Find utility: search in within results

4. Display hidden fields values in Table browser.