I have a 'Solution' with two projects, each different code and COM port, e.g.,
project client, uses COM39 for code downloading
project server, uses COM40 for code downloading.
On startup, AS/VM shows 'client' in boldface and server not boldface. As if one is the 'active' project.

I cannot get the non-boldface project, 'server' to download on its designated COM40. The output window says it is using COM39 (wrong one). Even so, it doesn't really use COM39, nor does it use COM40 as it should.

Boldface means?
download should be down how?

EDIT: And.. maybe since this is a Teensy 3 project, it matters that the downloader is the Teensy software program which has to be told which target to use.

Thanks
steve

Hi,

In Visual Studio (atmel) the bold project name means that is the "Startup project". You can right click any project in the solution tree and set is as the "Startup project".

This is then the project that will compile/upload and/or debug when you press F5 or the Start command.

To set a board and port for a project you must have the code open (be ready to edit) for the respective project. It can be confusing in VS because you can have the code open for project A yet click project B in the solution explorer but without opening the code of project B.

The "Build" menu at the top of the Ide gives a good indicator as to the "active editing project". It will say "Build>Project X" and/or "Build>Solution".

If a project has never had a port specified it will use the last selected port. If a project has an old/obsolete port specified you will need to change the port. the settings will save when the project is saved (vs will prompt when required).

I hope this helps.

Thanks very much! It works, now that I know that I need to change the target MCU's project property to "is the startup".

I misunderstood 'startup project' to mean the it is the project that the editor opens with after VS starts up.

Great. thanks.

Great. Yes it's a Visual Studio term and few people realize how it works.

Better docs required!  :)

yes, these days, the authors or others too close to a product write the help/user docs. Classically, they don't have enough empathy for the new or infrequent user's situation in having to know so much about so many things. 

Furthermore the documentation has to give simple clarity to users who have never used a real Ide before and would find a discussion of multiple projects in a single solution too complicated.

So we have to walk a line and hope the more advanced users can use the standard F1 help system in their chosen Ide. In this case VS and Atmel work the same except in VS you can also right click a project and click "Start"

Overall, I am delighted with VS/VM for my embedded work.
Using it is like having a Lexus or riding in first class, versus the Arduino IDE which was intended to be simple and unintimidating.   It is, but like diapers, one soon outgrows it.

That's really good to hear thanks. It is a lot of work so pointless unless people enjoy it.