Getting Flex Builder to work on 64-bit Windows

admin 8 comments flex

Jan 02

Getting Flex Builder to work on 64-bit Windows

I’ve been running the 64-bit version of XP and now the 64-bit version of Windows 7 for the past 2+ years, and I’ve always had issues with Flex:

  • Blank build path windows (when right clicking on a project’s properties) – having to manage the project files manually
  • Weird generated asset errors

I think getting setup with Flex and eclipse requires an unnecessary amount of knowledge… hopefully this simplifies it.

I finally decided to find a solution – here it is:

  1. Don’t install Flex Builder – install the eclipse plugin
  2. Get eclipse 3.4
    • http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/
    • Scroll down to eclipse Classic
    • Click on “other downloads”
    • Or just go to http://download.eclipse.org/eclipse/downloads/
    • Download version 3.4, unzip it, and drop it in C:\Program Files (x86)\eclipse
  3. Get the Flex Builder Plugin for Eclipse – http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/entitlement/index.cfm?e=flexbuilder3
  4. When installing, make sure you choose the Eclipse folder (second step): C:\Program Files (x86)\eclipse
    fb
  5. When you’re done, open up eclipse.exe, and then go to Window->Open Perspective, then choose Flex.

Conclusion

I hope Flash Builder 4 solves the 64-bit issues… this install is a pain in the ass!  Plus, too bad there’s not a 64-bit version of Flex Builder…

8 comments

  1. Sergey / January 7, 2010

    Thank you for this post!!!! I so didn’t want switch back to 32bit operating system. Now, with your help, I can continue to use seven 64bit. Thanks again.

  2. admin / January 7, 2010

    Glad you found the post!

    You might still get some problems – fyi.

    The issues I’ve noticed this past week:

    - Assets don’t display in design mode (e.g. fonts, and swf files that you embed)
    - Asset Generation Errors.

    So… try it out for a bit and if you get those problems and you can’t deal with them… go back to 32bit Windows.

    Oh! Complain to Adobe, too; maybe they’ll fix it :-)

  3. JC / February 8, 2010

    Hi,

    I followed all the steps, and everything installed fine. However, when I try to open the flex development perspective I get a message saying:
    “Problems opening perspective
    com.adobe.flexbuilder.editors.mxml.ui.perspectives.development”

    I made sure I was running eclipse as an administrator but it’s still not working.

    I’m using Eclipse 3.4 and Flex Builder 3 as you recommended, on Windows 7 64 bits.

  4. JC / February 8, 2010

    Actually, would you know if any version of Flex Builder for 64bits is due to come out soon?

    Thanks

    JC

  5. ariel / February 27, 2010

    Thank You!

  6. admin / March 2, 2010

    I don’t – But I doubt there is one in the pipeline…

  7. sjKype / March 4, 2010

    Genius! I was beside myself on this one. These “suprises” can be a problem when you have deadlines. Silverlight may be a future option.

  8. admin / July 30, 2010

    FYI, Flash Builder (Flex 4) works perfectly on Windows 7 64-bit! Thanks, Adobe.

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