using AssemblySearchPaths in csproj files

Question

I am trying to set up my csproj files to search for dependencies in a parent directory by adding:

    
       ..         


        

Answer 1

Seems like there was a fix recently Thus this works as well:

<PropertyGroup>
  <ReferencePath>MY_PATH;$(ReferencePath)</ReferencePath>
</PropertyGroup>

This makes the assemblies in that folder to also show up in the "Add References..." window :)

---

And since you also might not want the assemblies to be copied into the output-folder, here an example on how to achieve this:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<Project ToolsVersion="15.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">
  <!-- ... -->

  <PropertyGroup>
    <!-- Add paths to ReferencePath. E.g. here it is Unity. -->
    <ReferencePath>C:\Program Files\Unity\Hub\Editor\$(UNITY_VERSION)\Editor\Data\Managed\UnityEngine;$(ReferencePath)</ReferencePath>
  </PropertyGroup>

  <Target Name="DontCopyReferencePath" AfterTargets="ResolveAssemblyReferences">
    <!-- Don't copy files indirectly referenced by ReferencePath -->
    <ItemGroup>
      <!-- Collect paths to allow for batching -->
      <ReferencePaths_ Include="$(ReferencePath)" />
      <!-- Use batching to remove all files which should not be copied. -->
      <ReferenceCopyLocalPaths Remove="@(ReferencePaths_ -> '%(Identity)\*.*')" />
    </ItemGroup>
  </Target>

  <!-- ... -->
</Project>

Answer 2

Can you change the value of the "AssemblySearchPaths" property within the Target "BeforeResolveReferences" and see if that solves your issue?

    <Target Name="BeforeResolveReferences">
<CreateProperty
    Value="..\Dependencies\VS2012TestAssemblies;$(AssemblySearchPaths)">
    <Output TaskParameter="Value"
        PropertyName="AssemblySearchPaths" />
</CreateProperty>
</Target>