problem with mdi children visibilities

[KlausW]

Hi community,

i want to create simple MDI application but ths child forms should be in a special order of visibility (or layer).
For example: if a child form has layer 0 it is always top most of all other child forms. A child form with layer 1 is behind a child form with layer 0 but in front of a childform with layer 2 and so on...

Does anybody know a solution?

Thanks

 

[joe_pool_is]

Sounds like you need to ditch the idea of an MDI application and create a form with multiple panels. Panels can have an order. Why do you need the MDI style if you are forcing forms to be in a specific order? That isn't what an MDI form is for.

 

[bprashanth]

Your problem will be answered by something called Z-Order.

The simplest - and easiest - solution would be just calling BringToFront() method in the order that you want the forms to be displayed.

You may want to refer this link:
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/winforms/thread/2d59e858-5705-400b-a383-fd479e9409da

 

[snarfblam]

Keep in mind, reordering the forms every time they become out of order is going to produce flickering, and the active form will always try to force itself on top.

 

[bprashanth]

@marble_eater

Yes, but to try to prevent form from being at the top we can always use the Form.Hide() method, right?

 

[joe_pool_is]

Isn't Hide() the same as Visible = false? (I don't use it, so I'm just asking)

 

[bprashanth]

@joe_pool_is

I think Hide is as same as Visible = False when you are using Form.Show() method.

But in one particular scenario when I used Form.ShowDialog method, I had certain problems using Hide() method which were solved by using Visible=False.

 

[PlausiblyDamp]

If you look at the underlying IL for the .Hide() method it just calls .Visible = false anyway.

 

[joe_pool_is]

If you look at the underlying IL for the .Hide() method it just calls .Visible = false anyway.

I suspected as much - I've just never taken the time to learn IL.