OBSOLETE - Providing Android resources in Assets/Plugins/Android/res is deprecated...

Hi!

It's complaining about res/values/version.xml which contains

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<resources>
<integer name="google_play_services_version">6587000</integer>
</resources>​

Which says which version gets used in the manifest here:

<meta-data android:name="com.google.android.gms.version" android:value="@Integer/google_play_services_version" />
​

But the error further says:

please move your resources to an Android Library
​

Um... how do I move just an xml file like this to an entire Android Library?

So really, what I need to know is how to put this version information into a project so the Android system can find it?

 

You can create a new Android Library project that doesn't have any code in it.
Add your version.xml file to this project (under the res/values folder) and then copy the library (the entire folder structure) under Assets/Plugins.

 

Ok, looks like that worked, thanks...

I take that back. It built, but I still get an error from the device:

I/Unity ( 5421): AndroidJavaException: java.lang.IllegalStateException: A required meta-data tag in your app's AndroidManifest.xml does not exist. You must have the following declaration within the <application> element: <meta-data android:name="com.google.android.gms.version" android:value="@Integer/google_play_services_version" />

It appears that AndroidManifest.xml is not being included properly in the build.

 

So I moved everything back to Assets/Plugins/Android, and now the plugin is working. But I still get the OBSOLETE message about res/values needing to be in its own library.

 

But your documentation says we're supposed to use jar files:

"You can drop pre-compiled Android library projects into the Assets->Plugins->Android folder. Pre-compiled means all .java files must have been compiled into jar files located in either the bin/ or the libs/ folder of the project. AndroidManifest.xml from these folders will get automatically merged with the main manifest file when the project is built."

So are we supposed to use .aar files?

 

Ok, thanks!

I now have an aar file from Android Studio. Unity builds the project without errors now, but when I try to call a java function in the plugin, it says it can't find the class definition. I've checked the jar file inside the .aar, and the class definition is definitely in there.

This was working with the jar file before, so is there something different I have to do to get the aar file to work properly?

 

Scratch that, was a different device, running Android 2.3.3. Which wouldn't run the app anyway. All working, thanks for your help!

 

so aar is supported in 4.x as well?

 

@Yury Habets
any chance of support for 4.x?

 

well there were just patches to 4.6...so maybe there is still hope

 

if this support was added for 5.x i dont see why it shouldnt or couldnt be added to 4.x...it would really simplify life for all devs who havent or can't move to 5.x

 

Hi @Yury Habets, can you please guide me to some documentation about the correct procedure and folder structure to add Android Library Projects to Unity plugins folder. A simple copy-paste of the project folder is not working for me. The player builds but the plugin doesn't work during execution. (whereas when I add a compiled .jar version of the plugin, it works)

[EDIT]

I'm using Unity 5.1.0f3.

I believe the error is happening when the manifests are merged. After generating the "Google Android Project" from Unity Build settings, the merged manifest of the project is erroneous. The merged manifest contains TWO activities whereas it should contain only one. In the plugin, MainGameActivity extends UnityPlayerActivity The merged manifest looks as follows:

Code (JavaScript):

1. <manifest
2.           ...
3.           package="com.company.mygame" >
4.          
5.         <application
6.                 ... >
7.                 <activity
8.                           ...
9.                           android:name="com.company.mygame.UnityPlayerActivity" >
10.                         <intent-filter>
11.                                 <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
12.                                 <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
13.                         </intent-filter>
14.                        
15.                         <meta-data android:name="unityplayer.UnityActivity" android:value="true" />
16.                 </activity>
17.                
18.                 <activity android:name="com.company.mygame.MainGameActivity">
19.                         <intent-filter>
20.                                 <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
21.                                 <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
22.                         </intent-filter>
23.                 </activity>
24.                
25.                 <service android:exported="false" android:name="com.company.mygame.MainGameService" />
26.         </application>
27.         ...
28. </manifest>

Thanks.

 

@Yury Habets , I've followed all the steps outlined by you. Below I have attached a snapshot which shows my project's path, plugin's manifest and project.properties. The plugin manifest is present in the bin folder also. There is no separate manifest at <Assets/Plugins/Android/AndroidManifest.xml>.




When I generate the 'apk' for the project and install it on the device, the device shows TWO new activities installed, i.e., two new icons in the apps menu to launch, and neither works correctly. I'm not quite sure how differently should I make the manifest.

Thanks.

 

This would be exceptionally helpful. The "Plugins for Android" page only gives a paragraph on the topic of Android Library Projects and from it I wasn't able to decipher anything close to what you described above. Between that abd the multitude of outdated Eclipse tutorials it would be great to have an updated, solid baseline established.

 

Hi Yury,
I am placing the aar files in Plugins/Android folder but the issue I am facing is after making apk when I am trying to find the class I am not able to find it.

 

Getting ClassNotFound exception
11-14 14:54:57.446: I/Unity(13333): AndroidJavaException: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: verma.ashish.citrusplugintest.CitrusPaymentMainActivity
11-14 14:54:57.446: I/Unity(13333): at UnityEngine.AndroidJNISafe.CheckException () [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0
11-14 14:54:57.446: I/Unity(13333): at UnityEngine.AndroidJNISafe.CallStaticObjectMethod (IntPtr clazz, IntPtr methodID, UnityEngine.jvalue[] args) [0x00000] in <filename unknown>:0

 

Code:
using(AndroidJavaClasspluginClass = newAndroidJavaClass("verma.ashish.citrusplugintest.CitrusPaymentMainActivity")) {
if(pluginClass != null) {
Debug.Log("Inside the not null check ");

 

I also went to the temp folder there is bin folder in which I found the classes folder it also contain same directory as my one(verma.ashish.citruspaymenttest) but it don't have any activity file. It contains only the R files. ? that might be the reason it is not accessing the required class

 

Look at these queries http://stackoverflow.com/questions/29623873/unity-cannot-find-classes-inside-aar

 

http://www.scriptscoop.net/t/87424e296ab3/android-unity-cannot-find-classes-inside-aar.html

 

Hi Yury, I got the "OBSOLETE" error while trying to use "res" folder to localize app name by providing strings.xml. I followed your instructions to use android library folder instead and the "OBSOLETE" warning is gone but I still don't get the app name from strings.xml. The app name is coming from product name in player settings instead.

I have added following files under Assets/Libray/Android

TestLib/AndroidManifest.xml

Code (csharp):

1. <manifestxmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
2. package="com.company.apps">
3. <applicationandroid:allowBackup="false">
4. </application>
5. </manifest>

TestLib/project.properties

Code (csharp):

1. target=android-19
2. android.library=true

TestLib/res/values/strings.xml

Code (csharp):

1. <?xmlversion="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
2. <resources>
3.   <string name="app_name">APP1</string>
4. </resources>

I'll appreciate any help with this.

 

No. It didn't work even when I used the res folder directly under Assets/Libray/Android.

 

Hello,

I have been using .jar file up until now because I did not need to use any graphic material with my android plugin. However, to display local notifications, a small icon is required and I found this thread.

I have been trying to use the .AAR file as @Yury Habets suggested since it is just one file, without success.I think I might set up something wrong or I am missing a reference to the functionality somewhere.

I tried swapping to Android Library Project, but again, the functionality is not working. Again, I am guessing I am not referencing things properly on my c# script, or I set up things in the wrong way, any advice?

Unity Folder Structure: https://gyazo.com/f27b8a07520123400c1679a64db42e89
AndroidManifest: https://gyazo.com/cff6b4e91314e8f6eb488a323b9c99d7
MyAndLib Folder: https://gyazo.com/a37bda37cd59148a3f64c140aea4b067
MyAndLib AndroidManifest: https://gyazo.com/27bfc9c887f0b61dd71c83ccb0d7e323
MyAndLib Project Properties: https://gyazo.com/cb59a107a34fa4a99b77cb747f6e6ec9

On a side note, any news regarding that blog entry about this topic? Would be very helpful.

Thanks in advance.

 

Hi @Yury Habets

My resources, which is just a .png to be used on Local Notifications, are not being added to the APK, nor I could find them inside Temp/StagingArea/ directory of the project after I built it. Unless I looked in the wrong place...

Temp/StagingArea/ directory: https://gyazo.com/499472fbf246a064a8d0f2c4c6eabb39

The "app_icon.png" that appears there is the icon from the Build Settings not the one I have on my Android Library Project: https://gyazo.com/1a613095ef2f5fe19ba37b0cfd71d7e4

What is not working for me using the Android Library Project are two things:

1) The Plugin Methods are not called, whereas if I use the .jar file (without changing the code or anything else) the Plugin Calls work. Do I need to change the way I reference the Plugin Static Methods while using an Android Library Project instead of a .jar file?

I literally have 3 buttons linked to 3 methods from the script I use as a bridge between Unity and the Plugin: https://gyazo.com/4db71c5c72c990f27faac4e0325ecd24

2) The resources I want to use are not being added, hence the Plugin cannot fire Local Notifications because it cannot find the .png file within the .apk, which puzzles me since you think the way I included it is alright.

I believe the problem lies with me not adding correctly the Android Library Project to Unity, thus not adding the resources and not being able to find and execute the Plugin Methods nor the resources.

I can put a together a test project if you fancy having a look yourself.

 

Hi @Yury Habets

Well, definitely I was not looking in the right place. However, there is nothing inside Temp/StagingArea/android-libraries, is empty. So yeah, the plugin is not being added.

Thanks for the help.

 

Hey @inakiktp.

I noticed in your project that your "project.properties" ends in ".xml" which as I understand should not be the case.

 

Hey @guillermoi

Thanks for pointing that out. I changed it and things started crashing all over the place, which I was glad something changed.

Now I am getting a "Plugin Bundle ID" conflict which I never had before when using the .jar file. However, If I change the Unity Project Bundle ID to the same as the Android Library Project is using, I get a "Building DEX error" which I am not really sure how to interpret.

I attached a file with the error. If anyone can shed some light about it I would appreciate it. I can tell it has something to do with the plugin, cannot tell more.

 

Make sure you don't have duplicate Java code. Like 2 copies of the same JAR.

 

Hey @guillermoi

Thanks for the suggestion. As far as I am concerned, there should only be 1 JAR file which is the one wrapping the Unity3D Classes inside the Android Library Project: https://gyazo.com/eeea336d1c9919931a79c0348f44bf83

I checked the other folders and I did not find any duplicates JAR files.

I am sure all this trouble is coming from something not so complicated. Something similar happened when I started using the JAR file on my very first unity project with android an plugin.

Edit:

Maybe is that JAR wrapping Unity3D Classes. I am going try messing around it. Well, it built, thanks!

However, now I am again at square one. The app works, but the functionality is not being executed, so I am guessing the Plugin Methods are not being called. However, this time, the plugin was included inside Temp/StagingArea/android-libraries/MyAndLib so happy about that.

I feel I am running in circles, but at least this is a step forward.

 

I am actually doing that.

However, I think the problem lies more in the way I reference them is not alright because is not finding them. For example, with JAR I used this and worked:

Code (CSharp):

1. using (AndroidJavaClass unityPlayer = new AndroidJavaClass ("com.unity3d.player.UnityPlayer")) {
2.      using (AndroidJavaObject unityBinder = new AndroidJavaObject ("com.seeable.androidplugin.UnityBridge")) {
3.           unityBinder.CallStatic ("OpenGallery", unityPlayer.GetStatic<AndroidJavaObject> ("currentActivity"));
4.      }
5. }

However, using the Android Library Project, it does not. It finds the unityPlayer, but not the unityBinder, which is null. That is why I believe it has to do with how I am referencing it, but I thought giving the package name + class name was the right way of doing it, at least that is what I got from every other tutorial about Android Plugins. Am I missing something?

I tried changing where it should find the UnityBridge Class, without success. What I notice is that it seems to "crash" after this line of code:

Code (CSharp):

1. AndroidJavaObject unityBinder = new AndroidJavaObject ("com.seeable.androidplugin.UnityBridge")

I mean, the app does not reset or anything, but the debugs stop coming through after that line of code, which is the first I have seen this behaviour.

This might be a very stupid question but, does the Android Library Project need to have a .JAR file inside it?

 

Hello,

Just to update. I managed to get this working on a testing project. To be honest, it was not as difficult as I thought, but the lack of information about it made it extremely annoying and I needed to "try & error" a lot to figure it out.

Nevertheless, my question now is, is there a way to make Android Library Projects not force you to use the same Bundle Id in the Unity Project as the Plugin uses?

My Project Bundle Id was: com.Seeable.UAL
My Plugin Bundle Id was: com.seeable.androidplugin

I was able to have different Bundle Ids when I was using the .JAR file alone, however, after I moved to the Android Library Project, I am forced to use the Plugin Bundle Id (com.seeable) no matter what.

It would be great if someone can clarify why it forces me to do so and if there is a way to change that.

Edit:

For those that arrive at this thread, the way I managed to make this work was this way:

#1 Under Assets/Plugins/Android/ create a Folder with the name of your Plugin (or the name you prefer).

#2 Inside "YourPlugin" Folder, drop the "res", "bin", "lib" folders, and the AndroidManifest.xml from your Android Library Project. In my case was only "res", and "bin", for graphics and the .jar file with the code.

#3 Inside "YourPlugin" Folder, create a new "project.properties" file with the following contents

Code (CSharp):

1. # Project target.
2. target=android-22
3. android.library=true

On "target", you have to specify the targetAPI of Android, in my case is 22.

#4 Finally, under Assets/Plugins/Android/ add your AndroidManifest.xml with the Plugin permissions, features, etc that your Plugin will need.

#5 Extra: Make sure there are no duplicated Classes and/or .Jar files among "YourPlugin" folder or other "Plugins" folder you may be using for your Project since those will produce a "Building DEX" Error.

 

Hello,

Oh, ok, now I got a better picture of what was going on with the Bundle Ids, thanks for the clarification. To be honest, I always thought "Bundle Id" was a unique code for each thing.

The reason why I was wondering if I could change it is because when I was using the .JAR file alone under Plugins/Android/.JAR + AndroidManifest.xml I could have different Bundle Ids and everything worked fine, at least, I did not find any problems.

However, seeing as it is a bad idea, I will spend some time thinking a new name convention for my Apps and my Plugin.

On a side note, I wonder, how is possible some Android Plugins from the Asset Store work out of the box having (I guess they are having) different Bundle Ids? I mean, the Plugin will have one and the Unity Project will have another.

The only cases I am aware is not the case are the Facebook, and Prime31 Plugins. Or maybe am I wrong and this was possible due to the "old way" (which is obsolete now) of using Plugins?

As you can note, my overall knowledge about Unity and Android and Plugins is still small, but well, I am happy I am learning (the hard way) all these things. xD

 

Hello!

Thanks for the explanation @Yury Habets . Seeing as this is tied to resources and merging them, I am wondering:

1) Is it possible to pass a resource from the Unity Project (say Resources folder) to the Android code? Say I want to pass an image.

2) Or is it possible for the Android code to pick up resources from the Unity Project? Say I pass it a path to the resource and Android picks it up.

I am guessing no, just asking.

 

@Yury Habets : Yeah, sorry, sometimes I explain myself awfully.

For example, Local Notifications in Android require a small icon, is there a way for me to pass the path to this image (inside Unity Resources folder) to the Android code so it can use it? Hope it is clear now.

I am aware, this may not be a good idea (I am not even sure this is possible), since it will not be adapted to the appropriate sizes and dpm of different resolutions, but I am basically curious if that way exists. ^^U