To create an HTML-based AIR application in Dreamweaver, you select an existing site to package as an AIR application.

1. Make sure that the web pages you want to package into an application are contained in a defined Dreamweaver site.

2. In Dreamweaver, open the home page of the set of pages you want to package.

3. Select Site > Air Application Settings.

4. Complete the AIR Application and Installer Settings dialog box, and then click Create AIR File.

   For more information, see the dialog box options listed below.

   The first time you create an Adobe AIR file, Dreamweaver creates an application.xml file in your site root folder. This file serves as a manifest, defining various properties of the application.

   The following describes the options in the AIR Application and Installer Settings dialog box:

   Application File Name

   is the name used for the application executable file. By default, the extension uses the name of the Dreamweaver site to name the file. You can change the name if you prefer. However, the name must contain only valid characters for files or folder names. (That is, it can only contain ASCII characters, and cannot end with a period.) This setting is required.

   Application Name

   is the name that appears on installation screens when users install the application. Again, the extension specifies the name of the Dreamweaver site by default. This setting does not have character restrictions, and is not required.

   Application ID

   identifies your application with a unique ID. You can change the default ID if you prefer. Do not use spaces or special characters in the ID. The only valid characters are 0-9, a-z, A-Z, . (dot), and - (dash). This setting is required.

   Version

   specifies a version number for your application. This setting is required.

   Initial Content

   specifies the start page for your application. Click the Browse button to navigate to your start page and select it. The chosen file must reside inside the site root folder. This setting is required.

   Description

   lets you specify a description of the application to display when the user installs the application.

   Copyright

   lets you specify a copyright that is displayed in the About information for Adobe AIR applications installed on the Macintosh. This information is not used for applications installed on Windows.

   Window Style

   specifies the window style (or chrome) to use when the user runs the application on their computer. System chrome surrounds the application with the operating system standard window control. Custom chrome (opaque) eliminates the standard system chrome and lets you create a chrome of your own for the application. (You build the custom chrome directly in the packaged HTML page.) Custom chrome (transparent) is like Custom chrome (opaque), but adds transparent capabilities to the edges of the page, allowing for application windows that are not rectangular in shape.

   Window Size

   specifies the dimensions of your application window when it opens.

   Icon

   lets you select custom images for the application icons. (The default images are Adobe AIR images that come with the extension.) To use custom images, click the Select Icon Images button. Then, in the Icon Images dialog box that appears, click the folder for each icon size and select the image file you want to use. AIR only supports PNG files for application icon images.

   Note: Selected custom images must reside in the application site, and their paths must be relative to the site root.

   Associated File Types

   lets you associate file types with your application. For more information, see the section that follows.

   Application Updates

   determines whether the Adobe AIR Application Installer or the application itself performs updates to new versions of Adobe AIR applications. The check box is selected by default, which causes the Adobe AIR Application Installer to perform updates. If you want your application to perform its own updates, deselect the checkbox. Keep in mind that if you deselect the checkbox, you then need to write an application that can perform updates.

   Included Files

   specifies which files or folders to include in your application. You can add HTML and CSS files, image files, and JavaScript library files. Click the Plus (+) button to add files, and the folder icon to add folders. You should not include certain files such as _mmServerScripts, _notes, and so on. To delete a file or folder from your list, select the file or folder and click the Minus (-) button.

   Digital Signature

   Click Set to sign your application with a digital signature. This setting is required. For more information, see the section that follows.

   Program Menu Folder

   specifies a subdirectory in the Windows Start Menu where you want the application’s shortcut created. (Not applicable on Macintosh.)

   Destination

   specifies where to save the new application installer (.air file). The default location is the site root. Click the Browse button to select a different location. The default file name is based on the site name with an .air extension added to it. This setting is required.

   The following is an example of the dialog box with some basic options set:

   View full size graphic

   
   

A digital signature provides an assurance that the code for an application has not been altered or corrupted since its creation by the software author. All Adobe AIR applications require a digital signature, and can’t be installed without one. You can sign your application with a purchased digital certificate, create your own certificate, or prepare an Adobe AIRI file (an Adobe AIR intermediate file) that you’ll sign at a later time.

1. In the AIR Application and Installer Settings dialog box, click the Set button next to the Digital Signature option.

2. In the Digital Signature dialog box, do one of the following:

   • To sign an application with a pre-purchased digital certificate, click the Browse button, select the certificate, enter the corresponding password, and click OK.

   • To create your own self-signed digital certificate, click the Create button and complete the dialog box. The certificate Type option refers to the level of security: 1024-RSA uses a 1024-bit key (less secure), and 2048-RSA uses a 2048-bit key (more secure). When you’re finished click OK. Then enter the corresponding password in the Digital Signature dialog box and click OK.

   • Select Prepare an AIRI package that will be signed later and click OK. This option lets you create an AIR Intermediate (AIRI) application without a digital signature. A user is not able to install the application, however, until you add a digital signature.

You can associate different file types with your Adobe AIR application. For example, if you want file types with an .avf extension to open in Adobe AIR when a user double-clicks them, you can add the .avf extension to your list of associated file types.

1. In the AIR Application and Installer Settings dialog box, click the Edit list button next to the Associated File Types option.

2. In the Associated File Types dialog box, do one of the following:

   • Select a file type and click the minus (-) button to delete the file type.

   • Click the plus (+) button to add a file type.

     If you click the plus button to add a file type, the File Type Settings dialog box appears. Complete the dialog box and click OK to close it.

     Following is a list of options:

     Name

     specifies the name of the file type that appears in the Associated File Types list. This option is required, and can only include alphanumeric ASCII characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9) and dots (for example, adobe.VideoFile). The name must start with a letter. The maximum length is 38 characters.

     Extension

     specifies the extension of the file type. Do not include a preceding dot. This option is required, and can only include alphanumeric ASCII characters (a-z, A-Z, 0-9). The maximum length is 38 characters.

     Description

     lets you specify an optional description for the file type.

     Content Type

     specifies the MIME type or media type for the file (for example text/html, image/gif, and so on).

     Icon File Locations

     lets you select custom images for the associated file types. (The default images are Adobe AIR images that come with the extension.)

You can edit the settings for your Adobe AIR application at any time.

 Select Site > AIR Application Settings and make your changes.

You can preview an HTML page in Dreamweaver as it would appear in an Adobe AIR application. Previewing is useful when you want to see what a web page will look like in the application without having to create the entire application.

 On the Document toolbar, click the Preview/Debug in Browser button, and then select Preview In AIR.

You can also press Ctrl+Shift+F12 (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+F12 (Macintosh).

The Adobe AIR Extension for Dreamweaver also adds code hinting and code coloring for Adobe AIR language elements in Code view in Dreamweaver.

• Open an HTML or JavaScript file in Code view and enter Adobe AIR code.

  Note: The code hinting mechanism only works inside <script> tags, or in .js files.

  For more information on the Adobe AIR language elements, see the developer documentation in the rest of this guide.

The Adobe AIR extension adds a Help menu item in Dreamweaver that lets you access Developing AIR Applications with HTML and Ajax.

 Select Help > Adobe AIR Help.