Customizing controls and forms with XML

[mauleTTT]

Hi all!

 

I'm not sure if this thread have to be in this post ...

 

Well, my objective is make a full customizable app with skins without third party controls, i've been looking in the web for some info, but all that i found is very poor of info.

 

I only see that could be possible using XML, i hope somebody could help me about this, how to implement it, or if somebody have try it ...

 

Sorry for my english, and thanks.

[Bucky]

If you're looking to create skins for an app, you will need to learn

how to ownerdraw, that is, to intercept Windows' messages to

paint the window and to paint it yourself. This is accomplished

through subclassing. I suggest you learn the basics of subclassing

before going further.

 

XML does not have anything to do with drawing the skins, but it

can be used as a way to store the information for the skins (images,

colors, etc.) for creating and transferring them.

[mauleTTT]

Thanks for your answer Bucky, you know where i can find info of ownerdraw ? I see it a bit with a few controls, like menus and listviews, but i want more info :rolleyes:

 

Thanks.

[Bucky]

Check out these articles on EliteVB (notice that they are in VB6),

along with the [mshelp=ms-help://MS.MSDNQTR.2003FEB.1033/Cpqstart/html/cpsmpnetsamples-howtowindowsforms.htm#cpsmpOwnerDrawListBoxSample]MSDN documentation[/mshelp] which contains examples for

ownerdrawing a listbox.

[mauleTTT]

Hi again :rolleyes:

 

All controls don't support Ownerdrawing, how i can solve that?

 

Thanks

[Bucky]

In that case, you'll have to subclass the window of the control

and block all messages that Windows sends that tell the control

to paint itself (such as WM_PAINT). Then you have to paint the

control yourself. Again, this requires a good understanding of

subclassing.

[mauleTTT]

Ok, i will look for it. Thanks ;)