There are a variety of special folders which can be configured for use with Visual Micro, to allow your project to be more portable (available from version 23.0424.3 onwards).
This is useful when you want to share your project, along with all libraries in use. Board packages can also be distributed with the project when using Portable Mode.
When using special folders it is best to have the solution folder, with the project in a subfolder
(i.e. ensure the "Create Project and Solution in the same folder" is unchecked when creating the solution).
When using special folders you can navigate the source code and view files in Solution Explorer using the vMicro > Show/Hide Hidden Files.
Complementary Special Folders
These special folders can be used alongside your normal Sketchbook location, and board package installations.
All of these folders can work together in a single solution.
YourSolutionFolder/arduino-solution/libraries
Override existing config with one or more libraries
These libraries appear on the "Add Library" menu
These libraries have highest priority, regardless of what other libraries are installed in either the sketchbook or Arduino IDE folder.
These libraries continue to follow the standard rules when being discovered, architectures= applies as normal
YourSolutionFolder/arduino-ide/libraries
Override existing config with one or more libraries
These libraries appear on the "Add Library" menu
These libraries have a higher priority than IDE libs but lower than sketchbook
These libraries continue to follow the standard rules when being discovered, architectures= applies as normal
Overriding Special Folders
These special folders will override your current configuration completely, making a more isolated environment.
Only one of the below approaches should be used at a time, and should not be used in conjunction with the complementary special folders above.
YourSolutionFolder/arduino-solution/sketchbook
This folder will replace all the functionality of a sketchbook folder
File>OpenArduinoProject will show this folder
ALL sketchbook functionality is supported including library and hardware sub folder
New libraries will be installed into /Libraries sub folder
Everything is same as simply changing the sketchbook folder in arduino ide or visual micro IDE locations.
YourSolutionFolder/arduino-portable
Works to same rules as the Arduino IDE Portable folder (Read More Here).
New toolchains are installed into it.
The sketchbook, is not specified elsewhere, will be located as a sub folder
