c++ - multiple build rules using vc2010 and msbuild -

i'm managing c++ project in vs2010 , want have .cpp files run through external tool before going c++ compiler. signs seem indicate possible. see, example, here.

since happen on multiple projects, makes sense put functionality in property sheet , importing property sheet everywhere. before touched property sheet, looked in entirety:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <project defaulttargets="build" toolsversion="4.0" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/developer/msbuild/2003">   <propertygroup>     <_projectfileversion>10.0.30319.1</_projectfileversion>     <extensionstodeleteonclean>...</extensionstodeleteonclean>     <custombuildbeforetargets>clcompile</custombuildbeforetargets>   </propertygroup>   <itemdefinitiongroup>     <clcompile>       <additionalincludedirectories>...</additionalincludedirectories>       <forcedincludefiles>%(forcedincludefiles)</forcedincludefiles>     </clcompile>     <link>       <additionaldependencies>...</additionaldependencies>     </link>       <outputs>...</outputs>     </custombuildstep>   </itemdefinitiongroup> </project> 

as per above linked document, have added following lines:

<project>   <propertygroup>     ...     <custombuildbeforetargets>clcompile</custombuildbeforetargets>   </propertygroup>   ...   <itemgroup>     <custombuild include="*.cpp">       <message>running custom build step</message>       <command>dummy</command>       <outputs>dummy</outputs>     </custombuild>   </itemgroup> </project> 

this appears have no effect, , custom build tool never runs before clcompile. have tried various ways of moving things around , renaming tags (the xml editor complains custombuild isn't valid according schema, example), nothing works.

what doing wrong?

although old question, attempt answer it.

the include attribute expects find *.cpp files in project directory. if there no .cpp files in project directory, custombuild "task" never kick in.

what op have done was

<custombuild include="**\*.cpp">     <message>custombuild kicking in</message>     <command>echo %(identity)</command>     <outputs>dummy</outputs> </custombuild> 

instead of

<custombuild include="*.cpp"> ... 

and have performed custombuild action on .cpp files in subdirectories of project directory, , not .cpp files waiting compiled.

if .cpp files not availble under project directory (can happen when such project directory structure used) op must explicitly point right "root" directory.