Windows XP look

Well, I have Windows XP, and the look of my VB applications suck. How can I give them the same appearance as Windows XP programs? Is it possible?

nope....ur talking about making then rounded? nope....you have to just make a image insted of a button

You could always use ActiveSkin with an XP skin.:D

...unfortunately, it costs money. *cough*
*cough* Mor *cough* pheus *cough* search *cough* download.com *cough*

Hey! This is amazing!!!!

Try it...

Let's imagine your program is called "test.exe", then make a file called "test.exe.manifest" in the same folder containing the following:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0">
<assemblyIdentity
version="1.0.0.0"
processorArchitecture="X86"
name="My program"
type="win32"
/>
<description>My program is very cool</description>
<dependency>
<dependentAssembly>
<assemblyIdentity
type="win32"
name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls"
version="6.0.0.0"
processorArchitecture="X86"
publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df"
language="*"
/>
</dependentAssembly>
</dependency>
</assembly>

vm360 -

Do I need WinXP installed?
What is this "manifest" thingy?

Yes, you need Windows XP, you won't notice any changes under Win9x, NT or 2000.

I don't know what is this manifest stuff... I just found it somewhere and discovered that it works :)

Hmmmm......Thanks for the explanation. :D
What works?
Does it change the appearance of your program to an XP look?

Exactly. And it works with any program.

Cool...:cool:
One last thing, where did you find this info?

I belive there was some XP look alike code for Visual Basic at :

www.planetsourcecode.com

Search XP under VB Code

FRAIL_KNIGHT:D

Can you give us a screenshot of the effect of this manifest thing so that we can see the effects Thanks:)

ya that sound cool i would like to c that 2

Quote:

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Originally posted by eiSecure
You could always use ActiveSkin with an XP skin.:D

...unfortunately, it costs money. *cough*
*cough* Mor *cough* pheus *cough* search *cough* download.com *cough*

---

hmm i see it at download.com i think,but not at "*cough* Mor *cough* pheus *cough* search *cough*"

:D :( :(

take a look...

test1.gif is without the .manifest file, and
test2.gif is that file's effect :-)

go here http://www.planetsourcecode.com/xq/A...s/ShowCode.htm

for some nicely done xp controls and demo :)

vm360 -

Where did you find out this info on the manifest file?

I saw it in another forum, why?

Because I would like to understand it more. Maybe there are setting's within the file that I can change and tweak for my program. Basically, I would like to have a better understanding so I know how to use it with my programs.

yeah, me too, but I just found the file

Here's a few links that I have found. I wish I had a better understanding of the "manifest" file. In time....I guess. :D
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de.../xptheming.asp
http://www.macadamian.com/column/

Thanks. If you find something else (especially about VB6 and this manifest stuff), please let me know.

There's an article at allapi about this.

Quote:

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Originally posted by DiGiTaIErRoR
There's an article at allapi about this.

---

Thanks for the tip...;)
Here's the link if anyone is interested:
http://www.allapi.net/vbtutor/xpthemes.php

Quote:

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Originally posted by vm360
Hey! This is amazing!!!!

Try it...

Let's imagine your program is called "test.exe", then make a file called "test.exe.manifest" in the same folder containing the following:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0">
<assemblyIdentity
version="1.0.0.0"
processorArchitecture="X86"
name="My program"
type="win32"
/>
<description>My program is very cool</description>
<dependency>
<dependentAssembly>
<assemblyIdentity
type="win32"
name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls"
version="6.0.0.0"
processorArchitecture="X86"
publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df"
language="*"
/>
</dependentAssembly>
</dependency>
</assembly>

---

I tried it and it just does not do anything when I doubleclick on the exe file. The exe file runs fine when I delete this XML file:confused:

Quote:

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Originally posted by Bloodeye

Thanks for the tip...;)
Here's the link if anyone is interested:
http://www.allapi.net/vbtutor/xpthemes.php

---

Thanks for this link. It's working fine now:)
That is really an amazing tip;)

I have tried this but it's not working :(
I have VB Enterprise 6.0 and Windows ME.

Please advise

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally posted by rmoghal
I have tried this but it's not working :(
I have VB Enterprise 6.0 and Windows ME.

Please advise

Thanks

---

It will only work on Windows XP.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by vm360
take a look...

test1.gif is without the .manifest file, and
test2.gif is that file's effect :-)

---

That's pretty freakin' cool. :)

Very interesting, .........

[bookmarks this thread for future referance]

wow very nice

do you think this would work if some1 had win98 and they had the dll?

I am not sure but there might be some additional APIs that Windows XP uses in this verion of Common Controls.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Motoxpro
do you think this would work if some1 had win98 and they had the dll?

---

Good question. Did you check the MS Knowledge Base or MSDN Library?

From AllApi.net:
"This manifest tells Windows XP to use the new version of COMCTL32.DLL"
Give it a try, see if it works in Win98. Try installing this newer version (version 6) of COMCTL32.DLL.
Report back here (if you can) if it worked or not...:D

I went to : http://www.allapi.net/vbtutor/xpthemes.php and I do not see any difference in the screenshot ??? What that do ?

hey guys for some cool XP themes in a very easy to use method check out my post http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.p...hreadid=119350

Do you see any difference?

the XP style:
http://www.student.kuleuven.ac.be/~m.../xpthemes3.jpg

the old style:

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=647095

:eek:

What happened to the progress bar?!!?!??!

:eek:

Quote:

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Originally posted by eiSecure
:eek:

What happened to the progress bar?!!?!??!

:eek:

---

Windows XP ate that;)
It does not need any progressbar 'cause Windows XP never finishes a task(another new feature from Micro$oft):D

wow it's cool i need to test it!!!

I have that message when I try to double click the .exe.manifest
http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.php?postid=647125

i would suggest you click open with and then choose notepad

It will just be a standard text file with a different extension used for xp system purposes

Quote:

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Originally posted by DaoK
I have that message when I try to double click the .exe.manifest
http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.php?postid=647125

---

If you are trying to run the actual program by double clicking on this file then, you can't.
Try to follow the guidelines on allapi.net website. You need to click on the actual ".exe" file rather than ".exe.manifest" file.

so....if you're planning on distributing the program, try making the attributes of the manifest file READONLY, HIDDEN, SYSTEM, so regular users can't see it.

...or you can just edit the desktop.ini file to hide it.:D

thx you :) it work great and it's sexy

See the difference between both, what I do not like is than 16x16 images in the ToolBar look 32x32 :(

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.php?postid=647142

Quote:

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...or you can just edit the desktop.ini file to hide it

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Never hear that ? How?

Here is the MSDN help about it : http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...sxmlfusion.asp
Hope it will give you more information :)

I used the manifest method to make my program look XP style, and it worked. There are two problems I'm having though. Whenever I move my mouse pointer over one of the controls (option buttons, check boxes, command buttons, etc.) the images on my form flicker. THe second problem is the background for my option buttons shows up as black instead of the color it is supposed to be. I don't have these problems when the manifest isn't used.

http://www.neocodexs.com/opt_prob.jpg

Quote:

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Originally posted by Motoxpro
nope....ur talking about making then rounded? nope....you have to just make a image insted of a button

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It is actually possible, using SetWindowRect i think

heh works like a charm!!!

i like this :)


but don't forget to add this code to all the forms in your project:

VB Code:

Private Declare Function InitCommonControls Lib "comctl32.dll" () As Long
 
Private Sub Form_Initialize()
    InitCommonControls
End Sub

or if you're so inclined, make that function a public function so u don't hafta declare it in each form...

but don't forget that code, otherwise it will not work! nothing will happen if u open the app and u don't have that code !

umm also make sure it's form_Initialize not form_load....

nice code though :)

Quote:

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Originally posted by da_silvy


It is actually possible, using SetWindowRect i think

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i didnt know about the manifest when i posted that

I never put that :

Private Declare Function InitCommonControls Lib "comctl32.dll" () As Long

Private Sub Form_Initialize()
InitCommonControls
End Sub


And it work for me ? What that do more ?

hmmm....i did it

Quote:

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hmmm....i did it

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No sense

Quote:

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Originally posted by da_silvy


It is actually possible, using SetWindowRect i think

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Is not it "SetWindowRgn" that is used to create a region of different shapes - other than the rectangle ones?

Yes, you are correct

I was prolly too tired when i posted that

Motox

The manifest would make no difference to the ability to use SetWindowRgn on a button

You have to choices:

1) Either include the code

Private Declare Function InitCommonControls Lib "comctl32.dll" () As Long

Private Sub Form_Initialize()
InitCommonControls
End Sub

2) or you can just ignore this code but keep in mind that the last control you put in the form must be a common control one
That's why it worked for you Daok. I bet that if you open your application and include one more command button your compiled exe won't run :)

Also the InitCommandControls function call doesn't need to be in every form. Just make the declaration public


Wh1t3w0lf

Quote:

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or if you're so inclined, make that function a public function so u don't hafta declare it in each form...

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:D

the point of that?

:p