Adding Engine component causes: "Compiler errors occurred when generating a Windows Forms wrapper...​"

Question

I got this error when I tried to drop a TestStand Engine class onto my main form in VisualStudio.NET.
Compiler errors occurred when generating a Windows Forms wrapper for ActiveX control 'AxNationalInstruments.TestStand.Interop.API'
The error message went on to say that it saved the source in ./obj/AxInterop.TS.cs so I added that to the project. When I try to build it, I get this error:
The designer must create an instance of type 'System.Windows.Forms.AxHost' but it cannot because the type is declared as abstract.
I am using TestStand 3.0 evaluation, Version 7.1.3088 of Microsoft Development Environment 2003, and .NET Framework 1.1 Version 1.1.4322 SP1.
Is this aximp.exe problem?
Can someone suggest how to fix this?
Thanks,
Jeff

Answer 1

TestStand installs pre-built interop wrappers for the TestStand engine and all the TestStand UserInterface controls. You can find them in \API\DotNet\Assemblies\CurrentVersion\.
However, the best thing to do is usually to add the ApplicationMgr control to your .NET form and then call form.axApplicationMgr1.GetEngine() to get the engine. Doing this automatically adds references to the interop assemblies to your project. You can find this control in the TestStand tab of your .NET toolbox when you have a form active.
Ideally, you should start with the .NET simple operator interface examples which are in \OperatorInterfaces\NI\Simple\CSharp\ and \OperatorInterfaces\NI\Simple\VB.Net\
- James