The Smart Obfuscation Editor

Use the Smart Obfuscation settings to control how Dotfuscator analyzes assemblies, applies automatic protection rules, and reports potential compatibility issues.

Smart Obfuscation is enabled by default and helps identify application patterns that may require special handling during Renaming or Removal.

The Smart Obfuscation settings are available from the Settings tab in the Config Editor.

For information about how Smart Obfuscation works, see Use Smart Obfuscation to Prevent Compatibility Issues.

Smart Obfuscation Settings

The following settings control Smart Obfuscation behavior.

Enable or Disable Smart Obfuscation

Smart Obfuscation is enabled by default and should generally remain enabled.

When enabled, Dotfuscator automatically analyzes assemblies and applies compatibility rules for supported frameworks, technologies, and coding patterns.

To change this setting:

1. Open the Config Editor.
2. In the Settings tab, go to Settings > Options.
3. Locate the Smart Obfuscation setting in the Advanced section.
4. Enable or disable Smart Obfuscation as needed.
5. Save the configuration file.

Configuration File Equivalent

Set the <option> element in the <smartobfuscation> section to disable.

Save the Smart Obfuscation Report

In addition to displaying findings in the user interface, Dotfuscator can save the Smart Obfuscation report as an XML file.

This report can be useful when:

• Reviewing Smart Obfuscation actions.
• Investigating warnings.
• Troubleshooting protection issues.
• Maintaining build records.

You can specify a report file location as follows: 

1. Open the Config Editor.
2. In the Settings tab, go to Reports > Smart Obfuscation.
3. Specify the Smart obfuscation report file.
4. Save the configuration file.

Configuration File Equivalent

Add a file element with the path to the file within the <smartobfuscationreport> element.

Configure Report Overwrite Behavior

By default, Dotfuscator preserves an existing Smart Obfuscation report by renaming it before creating a new report with the same name.

You can change this behavior and overwrite existing reports directly as follows:

1. Open the Config Editor.
2. In the Settings tab, go to Reports > Smart Obfuscation.
3. Check the Overwrite without backing up existing copy option.
4. Save the configuration file.

Configuration File Equivalent

Set the overwrite attribute on the <smartobfuscationreport> element to true.

Configure Report Verbosity

Smart Obfuscation can generate notifications, warnings, or both. The reporting level determines which entries are displayed in the Smart Obfuscation report.

Available Reporting Levels

For most applications, All is recommended during development and testing. To change the report verbosity, do the following:

1. Open the Config Editor.
2. In the Settings tab, go to Reports > Smart Obfuscation.
3. Modify the Report Verbosity.
4. Save your changes.

Configuration File Equivalent

Set the verbosity attribute on the <smartobfuscationreport> element to any of the available reporting levels.

Related Articles

• Use Smart Obfuscation to Prevent Compatibility Issues
• Identify Renaming Exclusions
• The Rules Editor