Custom file type editors without a whole project system

[jsaratoga]

I'm currently writing an extension that opens a custom editor in C# for my file extension. It was unbelievably painful using the existing APIs. The docs say it isn't even supported to write custom editors in c# anymore. I'm not looking to develop a project system. I simply want to add my own file types that work in existing C# projects. When the file is opened it opens in a custom editor and when it is saved, it generates some custom c# code and adds then to the project.
Think of how the Winforms designer works, you double-click a form, you get its editor, you make changes to controls and hit save, it generates code-behind. This needs to be a lot easier and I would love to see it added to the new extensibility model. Also, it seems impossible to set an icon on my custom file type without building a whole project system. It would be nice to see that fixed too.

[tinaschrepfer]

When you say custom editors, are you trying to see how you could implement a custom designer in the new extensibility model? If so, unfortunately we don't have that capability yet. But we'd love to learn more about what you envision for your custom designer.

[POFerro]

Hi :),

I have this issue also, in my case I have an editor for certain file extensions (xlsx files) that show a wpf custom control that allows for modifications to be made in a Visual way. Currently the editor is supported by a VSSDK extension that I would like to migrate to the new extensibility model. The way I envision it is having a factory that allow for the creation of the wpf custom control, based on the project item, and returns it as the content of the editor.

Best regards POFerro

[jonmiller1]

Yes. In my current extension I have a custom file type that is usually backed by a JSON document when the user clicks on it, I have it open a custom designer, saving changes in the designer saves the file. It also kicks off a process that generates and adds custom code files to the project.

[i-m-luke]

I would also appreciate to be able to a create custom editor with the new framework. I'm developing an extension that will be used for modification of a specific XML files using UI. We could use a toolbar window but we would rather give our users the option to edit multiple of those files at once.