Getting Started

Step 1: Setup

• Download Visual Micro
• Read the installation guide - especially first time users.
• For versions older that 10.8 - remove previous installations of Micro Visual by means of the control panel
• Run the installation file.
• Configure visual studio arduino source color coding 

Step 2: Open an existing sketch as follows:

• Click on File->Open->Arduino Project
• Select an existing sketch in the Arduino project directory.
• Once the project has loaded and opened, select a board from the Boards toolbar.
• Select a programmer from Tools->Arduino->Programmers.
• Press F5 and enjoy.

OR

Step 2: Start a new project

• Click File->New->Arduino Project
• Enter a name for your project

• Click OK and enjoy.

Step 3: Compile and Upload

• The standard Visual Studio "Build" options will build/compile for Arduino for either a single Arduino project or all Arduino projects in the current current solution.
• The standard Visual Studio "Debug" options will upload (but not debug). "Start with or without" debugging will upload for the selected port and board.
• On the tools menu you can also override the serial upload and use a programmer instead.
• To recap, all of the Visual Studio "build/debug" tool bar buttons, "build" menu items, "debug" menu items, right click context project menu and keyboard shortcuts provide compile and upload for Arduino.
• For an example then press F5.
• If you have multiple arduino projects in a single solution you can right mouse menu on a project name to "Set As Startup Project". This governs which project is uploaded when clicking F5 or any of the standard "Start" commands in Visual Studio. The current start up project will be shown in bold in the Visual Studio solution explorer.

Some interesting information

Multiple sketches in one Solution.

• Click File->New->Arduino Project
• Enter a project name

• Click Ok and a new project/sketch is added

Serial Monitor

More that one Serial Monitor can be view at one time. Simply select the port from the toolbar drop down menu, click on the Serial Monitor icon next to the toolbar. Now place the Monitor window where you want. Repeat this action for more Serial Monitor windows.

Boards

Each project is setup with a unique board. Select the board of choice from the toolbar and save that project.