[Virtuous Ten Studio] tx_dbs_tx:
As an experienced VTS user I will offer help in this thread based on my experience with this amazing software. Feel free to mention me in this thread if you have a problem and have not gotten an answer from anybody yet. I will try my best to help out when i can.

First things first. Keep apktool and smali/baksmali updated! Keep Java and java sdk/jdk updated! Once java has been updated go into VTS and click on File, go to Settings/ Java and click on the auto detect java button and it will detect your newly updated java directory. VTS supports the use of multiple apktool & smali versions so you can simply drop the official or dirty apktool jars in the apktool folder of VTS and it will automatically show up in the drop town list when you are in the import project menu. You can simply set it to "Use Newest" and VTS will use the newest version. If you set it to "Use custom" then you also need to manually select the apktool version each time you import a new apk project. My advice is to always use the latest official apktool and make sure it is the active version each time you import a project. This is very important.

I think i have said this before but VTS keeps temp files in C:\Users\YOUR NAME\AppData\Local\Temp

Make sure you go into this temp folder and delete everything regularly! Yes this is safe to do. This is very important. So if you have problems building a jar or apk, the first thing you need to do is delete these temp project folders. If the project contains errors they can translate into build errors. So to ensure your new project build does not inherit any issues then delete the temp files or you can delete only the temp file that corresponds to a specific project. Simply look at the apktool.yml file of the project to get the project id assigned to it and search for it in the temp folder and delete it. Then immediately right click your project and refresh it. These steps need to become habit. Seriously.

Another tip. If you have a project jar/apk that will not build then it's likely due to error in code or one of your framework files has an issue like not being compatible, different software version, etc. I ALWAYS delete and re-import fresh deodexed frameworks from the exact same rom software version for the file that I am working with. Never ever ever use imported frameworks that is not for the software version from which your project file originated. No exceptions! For devices that use multiple framework-res files like Samsung, ALWAYS import your framework using the "multiple frameworks same tag" option in VTS's Apktool settings page. Always name your framework in a way that clearly identifies which software version or rom it was pulled from. This is crucial. Do this or start over now and re-import fresh frameworks and name them using the last three digits of the stock software version of the stock rom source files. For example, I name mine like this... "N7-N930P-PGC-multi-frameworks" or "N4-N910P-PG1-multi-frameworks", etc. If you are unsure then you need to name the frameworks to that of the rom from which the frameworks come from. Period. If you do this life is so much easier and you reduce the risk of using the wrong frameworks for your projects. Trust me on this. So if you have problem getting a successful build then first do the things i mentioned. Chances are you will have success in no time! Please continue to support VTS.