Dock Bar

[_TANK_]

Basically I want to make a dock bar that is on the desktop, I want to be able to drag files into it and when the files are dragged in there icon appears and when you click the icon it opens the file, Thanks

[.paul.]

here's the docked bar. i'll let you work out the dragdrop part:

[_TANK_]

here's the docked bar. i'll let you work out the dragdrop part:

I wouldn't know where to start :L *Hint Hint*

[.paul.]

ok.

Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Collections
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Runtime.InteropServices
 
Public Class mainform
 
    Private Structure RECT
        Public left As Integer
        Public top As Integer
        Public right As Integer
        Public bottom As Integer
    End Structure
 
    Private Structure APPBARDATA
        Public cbSize As Integer
        Public hWnd As IntPtr
        Public uCallbackMessage As Integer
        Public uEdge As Integer
        Public rc As RECT
        Public lParam As IntPtr
    End Structure
 
    Private Enum ABMsg As Integer
        ABM_NEW = 0
        ABM_REMOVE = 1
        ABM_QUERYPOS = 2
        ABM_SETPOS = 3
        ABM_GETSTATE = 4
        ABM_GETTASKBARPOS = 5
        ABM_ACTIVATE = 6
        ABM_GETAUTOHIDEBAR = 7
        ABM_SETAUTOHIDEBAR = 8
        ABM_WINDOWPOSCHANGED = 9
        ABM_SETSTATE = 10
    End Enum
 
    Private Enum ABNotify As Integer
        ABN_STATECHANGE = 0
        ABN_POSCHANGED
        ABN_FULLSCREENAPP
        ABN_WINDOWARRANGE
    End Enum
 
    Private Enum ABEdge As Integer
        ABE_LEFT = 0
        ABE_TOP = 1
        ABE_RIGHT = 2
        ABE_BOTTOM = 3
    End Enum
 
    Private fBarRegistered As Boolean = False
 
    Private Declare Function SHAppBarMessage Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "SHAppBarMessage" _
    (ByVal dwMessage As Integer, <MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Struct)> ByRef pData As _
    APPBARDATA) As Integer
 
    Private Declare Function GetSystemMetrics Lib "user32" Alias "GetSystemMetrics" _
    (ByVal nIndex As Integer) As Integer
 
    Private Declare Function MoveWindow Lib "user32" Alias "MoveWindow" (ByVal hwnd As Integer, _
    ByVal x As Integer, ByVal y As Integer, ByVal nWidth As Integer, ByVal nHeight As Integer, _
    ByVal bRepaint As Integer) As Integer
 
    Private Declare Function RegisterWindowMessage Lib "user32" Alias "RegisterWindowMessageA" _
    (ByVal lpString As String) As Integer
 
    Private uCallBack As Integer
 
    Dim icons As Integer = 0
 
    Private Sub mainform_DragDrop(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DragEventArgs) Handles Me.DragDrop
        If e.Data.GetDataPresent(DataFormats.FileDrop) Then
            Dim files() As String = DirectCast(e.Data.GetData(DataFormats.FileDrop, False), String())
            For Each file As String In files
                Dim pb As New PictureBox
                pb.Size = New Size(32, 32)
                pb.Location = New Point(12 + (icons * 44), 12)
                pb.Tag = file
                Dim icon As Icon = icon.ExtractAssociatedIcon(file)
                pb.Image = icon.ToBitmap
                pb.Cursor = Cursors.Hand
                AddHandler pb.DoubleClick, AddressOf pb_DoubleClick
                ToolTip1.SetToolTip(pb, file)
                Me.Controls.Add(pb)
                icons += 1
            Next
        End If
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub pb_DoubleClick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs)
        Process.Start(DirectCast(sender, PictureBox).Tag.ToString)
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub mainform_DragOver(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DragEventArgs) Handles Me.DragOver
        If e.Data.GetDataPresent(DataFormats.FileDrop) Then
            e.Effect = DragDropEffects.Copy
        Else
            e.Effect = DragDropEffects.None
        End If
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub mainform_FormClosing(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.FormClosingEventArgs) Handles Me.FormClosing
        RegisterBar()
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub appBar_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        Me.AutoScaleBaseSize = New System.Drawing.Size(5, 13)
        Me.ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(1024, 56)
        Me.FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.FixedToolWindow
 
        RegisterBar()
        Me.Invalidate()
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub mainform_Paint(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs) Handles Me.Paint
        e.Graphics.DrawLine(New Pen(Color.White, 3), 0, 0, Me.Width, 0)
        e.Graphics.DrawLine(New Pen(Color.White, 3), 0, 0, 0, Me.Height)
        e.Graphics.DrawLine(New Pen(Color.Black, 3), 0, Me.Height - 3, Me.Width, Me.Height - 3)
        e.Graphics.DrawLine(New Pen(Color.Black, 3), Me.Width - 3, 0, Me.Width - 3, Me.Height)
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub RegisterBar()
        Dim abd As New APPBARDATA
        abd.cbSize = Marshal.SizeOf(abd)
        abd.hWnd = Me.Handle
        If Not fBarRegistered Then
            uCallBack = RegisterWindowMessage("AppBarMessage")
            abd.uCallbackMessage = uCallBack
 
            Dim ret As Integer = SHAppBarMessage(CType(ABMsg.ABM_NEW, Integer), abd)
            fBarRegistered = True
 
            ABSetPos()
        Else
            SHAppBarMessage(CType(ABMsg.ABM_REMOVE, Integer), abd)
            fBarRegistered = False
        End If
    End Sub
 
 
    Private Sub ABSetPos()
        Dim abd As New APPBARDATA()
        abd.cbSize = Marshal.SizeOf(abd)
        abd.hWnd = Me.Handle
        abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_BOTTOM)
 
        If abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_LEFT) OrElse abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_RIGHT) Then
            abd.rc.top = 0
            abd.rc.bottom = SystemInformation.PrimaryMonitorSize.Height
            If abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_LEFT) Then
                abd.rc.left = 0
                abd.rc.right = Size.Width
            Else
                abd.rc.right = SystemInformation.PrimaryMonitorSize.Width
                abd.rc.left = abd.rc.right - Size.Width
 
            End If
        Else
            abd.rc.left = 0
            abd.rc.right = SystemInformation.PrimaryMonitorSize.Width
            If abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_TOP) Then
                abd.rc.top = 0
                abd.rc.bottom = Size.Height
            Else
                abd.rc.bottom = SystemInformation.PrimaryMonitorSize.Height
                abd.rc.top = abd.rc.bottom - Size.Height
            End If
        End If
 
        ' Query the system for an approved size and position. 
        SHAppBarMessage(CInt(ABMsg.ABM_QUERYPOS), abd)
 
        ' Adjust the rectangle, depending on the edge to which the 
        ' appbar is anchored. 
        Select Case abd.uEdge
            Case CInt(ABEdge.ABE_LEFT)
                abd.rc.right = abd.rc.left + Size.Width
                Exit Select
            Case CInt(ABEdge.ABE_RIGHT)
                abd.rc.left = abd.rc.right - Size.Width
                Exit Select
            Case CInt(ABEdge.ABE_TOP)
                abd.rc.bottom = abd.rc.top + Size.Height
                Exit Select
            Case CInt(ABEdge.ABE_BOTTOM)
                abd.rc.top = abd.rc.bottom - Size.Height
                Exit Select
        End Select
 
        ' Pass the final bounding rectangle to the system. 
        SHAppBarMessage(CInt(ABMsg.ABM_SETPOS), abd)
 
        ' Move and size the appbar so that it conforms to the 
        ' bounding rectangle passed to the system. 
        MoveWindow(abd.hWnd, abd.rc.left, abd.rc.top, abd.rc.right - abd.rc.left, abd.rc.bottom - abd.rc.top, True)
    End Sub
 
    Protected Overloads Overrides Sub WndProc(ByRef m As System.Windows.Forms.Message)
        If m.Msg = uCallBack Then
            Select Case m.WParam.ToInt32()
                Case CInt(ABNotify.ABN_POSCHANGED)
                    ABSetPos()
                    Exit Select
            End Select
        End If
 
        MyBase.WndProc(m)
    End Sub
 
    Protected Overloads Overrides ReadOnly Property CreateParams() As System.Windows.Forms.CreateParams
        Get
            Dim cp As CreateParams = MyBase.CreateParams
            cp.Style = cp.Style And (Not 12582912)
            ' WS_CAPTION
            cp.Style = cp.Style And (Not 8388608)
            ' WS_BORDER
            cp.ExStyle = 128 Or 8
            ' WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW | WS_EX_TOPMOST
            Return cp
        End Get
    End Property
 
End Class

[_TANK_]

ok.

Imports System
Imports System.Drawing
Imports System.Collections
Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Windows.Forms
Imports System.Data
Imports System.Runtime.InteropServices
 
Public Class mainform
 
    Private Structure RECT
        Public left As Integer
        Public top As Integer
        Public right As Integer
        Public bottom As Integer
    End Structure
 
    Private Structure APPBARDATA
        Public cbSize As Integer
        Public hWnd As IntPtr
        Public uCallbackMessage As Integer
        Public uEdge As Integer
        Public rc As RECT
        Public lParam As IntPtr
    End Structure
 
    Private Enum ABMsg As Integer
        ABM_NEW = 0
        ABM_REMOVE = 1
        ABM_QUERYPOS = 2
        ABM_SETPOS = 3
        ABM_GETSTATE = 4
        ABM_GETTASKBARPOS = 5
        ABM_ACTIVATE = 6
        ABM_GETAUTOHIDEBAR = 7
        ABM_SETAUTOHIDEBAR = 8
        ABM_WINDOWPOSCHANGED = 9
        ABM_SETSTATE = 10
    End Enum
 
    Private Enum ABNotify As Integer
        ABN_STATECHANGE = 0
        ABN_POSCHANGED
        ABN_FULLSCREENAPP
        ABN_WINDOWARRANGE
    End Enum
 
    Private Enum ABEdge As Integer
        ABE_LEFT = 0
        ABE_TOP = 1
        ABE_RIGHT = 2
        ABE_BOTTOM = 3
    End Enum
 
    Private fBarRegistered As Boolean = False
 
    Private Declare Function SHAppBarMessage Lib "shell32.dll" Alias "SHAppBarMessage" _
    (ByVal dwMessage As Integer, <MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Struct)> ByRef pData As _
    APPBARDATA) As Integer
 
    Private Declare Function GetSystemMetrics Lib "user32" Alias "GetSystemMetrics" _
    (ByVal nIndex As Integer) As Integer
 
    Private Declare Function MoveWindow Lib "user32" Alias "MoveWindow" (ByVal hwnd As Integer, _
    ByVal x As Integer, ByVal y As Integer, ByVal nWidth As Integer, ByVal nHeight As Integer, _
    ByVal bRepaint As Integer) As Integer
 
    Private Declare Function RegisterWindowMessage Lib "user32" Alias "RegisterWindowMessageA" _
    (ByVal lpString As String) As Integer
 
    Private uCallBack As Integer
 
    Dim icons As Integer = 0
 
    Private Sub mainform_DragDrop(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DragEventArgs) Handles Me.DragDrop
        If e.Data.GetDataPresent(DataFormats.FileDrop) Then
            Dim files() As String = DirectCast(e.Data.GetData(DataFormats.FileDrop, False), String())
            For Each file As String In files
                Dim pb As New PictureBox
                pb.Size = New Size(32, 32)
                pb.Location = New Point(12 + (icons * 44), 12)
                pb.Tag = file
                Dim icon As Icon = icon.ExtractAssociatedIcon(file)
                pb.Image = icon.ToBitmap
                pb.Cursor = Cursors.Hand
                AddHandler pb.DoubleClick, AddressOf pb_DoubleClick
                ToolTip1.SetToolTip(pb, file)
                Me.Controls.Add(pb)
                icons += 1
            Next
        End If
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub pb_DoubleClick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs)
        Process.Start(DirectCast(sender, PictureBox).Tag.ToString)
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub mainform_DragOver(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.DragEventArgs) Handles Me.DragOver
        If e.Data.GetDataPresent(DataFormats.FileDrop) Then
            e.Effect = DragDropEffects.Copy
        Else
            e.Effect = DragDropEffects.None
        End If
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub mainform_FormClosing(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.FormClosingEventArgs) Handles Me.FormClosing
        RegisterBar()
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub appBar_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        Me.AutoScaleBaseSize = New System.Drawing.Size(5, 13)
        Me.ClientSize = New System.Drawing.Size(1024, 56)
        Me.FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.FixedToolWindow
 
        RegisterBar()
        Me.Invalidate()
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub mainform_Paint(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs) Handles Me.Paint
        e.Graphics.DrawLine(New Pen(Color.White, 3), 0, 0, Me.Width, 0)
        e.Graphics.DrawLine(New Pen(Color.White, 3), 0, 0, 0, Me.Height)
        e.Graphics.DrawLine(New Pen(Color.Black, 3), 0, Me.Height - 3, Me.Width, Me.Height - 3)
        e.Graphics.DrawLine(New Pen(Color.Black, 3), Me.Width - 3, 0, Me.Width - 3, Me.Height)
    End Sub
 
    Private Sub RegisterBar()
        Dim abd As New APPBARDATA
        abd.cbSize = Marshal.SizeOf(abd)
        abd.hWnd = Me.Handle
        If Not fBarRegistered Then
            uCallBack = RegisterWindowMessage("AppBarMessage")
            abd.uCallbackMessage = uCallBack
 
            Dim ret As Integer = SHAppBarMessage(CType(ABMsg.ABM_NEW, Integer), abd)
            fBarRegistered = True
 
            ABSetPos()
        Else
            SHAppBarMessage(CType(ABMsg.ABM_REMOVE, Integer), abd)
            fBarRegistered = False
        End If
    End Sub
 
 
    Private Sub ABSetPos()
        Dim abd As New APPBARDATA()
        abd.cbSize = Marshal.SizeOf(abd)
        abd.hWnd = Me.Handle
        abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_BOTTOM)
 
        If abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_LEFT) OrElse abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_RIGHT) Then
            abd.rc.top = 0
            abd.rc.bottom = SystemInformation.PrimaryMonitorSize.Height
            If abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_LEFT) Then
                abd.rc.left = 0
                abd.rc.right = Size.Width
            Else
                abd.rc.right = SystemInformation.PrimaryMonitorSize.Width
                abd.rc.left = abd.rc.right - Size.Width
 
            End If
        Else
            abd.rc.left = 0
            abd.rc.right = SystemInformation.PrimaryMonitorSize.Width
            If abd.uEdge = CInt(ABEdge.ABE_TOP) Then
                abd.rc.top = 0
                abd.rc.bottom = Size.Height
            Else
                abd.rc.bottom = SystemInformation.PrimaryMonitorSize.Height
                abd.rc.top = abd.rc.bottom - Size.Height
            End If
        End If
 
        ' Query the system for an approved size and position. 
        SHAppBarMessage(CInt(ABMsg.ABM_QUERYPOS), abd)
 
        ' Adjust the rectangle, depending on the edge to which the 
        ' appbar is anchored. 
        Select Case abd.uEdge
            Case CInt(ABEdge.ABE_LEFT)
                abd.rc.right = abd.rc.left + Size.Width
                Exit Select
            Case CInt(ABEdge.ABE_RIGHT)
                abd.rc.left = abd.rc.right - Size.Width
                Exit Select
            Case CInt(ABEdge.ABE_TOP)
                abd.rc.bottom = abd.rc.top + Size.Height
                Exit Select
            Case CInt(ABEdge.ABE_BOTTOM)
                abd.rc.top = abd.rc.bottom - Size.Height
                Exit Select
        End Select
 
        ' Pass the final bounding rectangle to the system. 
        SHAppBarMessage(CInt(ABMsg.ABM_SETPOS), abd)
 
        ' Move and size the appbar so that it conforms to the 
        ' bounding rectangle passed to the system. 
        MoveWindow(abd.hWnd, abd.rc.left, abd.rc.top, abd.rc.right - abd.rc.left, abd.rc.bottom - abd.rc.top, True)
    End Sub
 
    Protected Overloads Overrides Sub WndProc(ByRef m As System.Windows.Forms.Message)
        If m.Msg = uCallBack Then
            Select Case m.WParam.ToInt32()
                Case CInt(ABNotify.ABN_POSCHANGED)
                    ABSetPos()
                    Exit Select
            End Select
        End If
 
        MyBase.WndProc(m)
    End Sub
 
    Protected Overloads Overrides ReadOnly Property CreateParams() As System.Windows.Forms.CreateParams
        Get
            Dim cp As CreateParams = MyBase.CreateParams
            cp.Style = cp.Style And (Not 12582912)
            ' WS_CAPTION
            cp.Style = cp.Style And (Not 8388608)
            ' WS_BORDER
            cp.ExStyle = 128 Or 8
            ' WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW | WS_EX_TOPMOST
            Return cp
        End Get
    End Property
 
End Class

Amazing. Thank you so much!

[.paul.]

if you want to know what changes i made:

• set mainForm.allowdrop = true
• handled mainForm_DragOver + mainForm_DragDrop
• in the dragover event it only shows dragging allowed for files
• in dragdrop, if dragged data is file(s), it creates a new picturebox for each file + sets the appropriate properties (size, location, tag, image, cursor), extracting the associated icon for image
• + adds a handler for doubleclick
• in the pb_doubleclick event it runs the file in it's default editor/viewer

[_TANK_]

if you want to know what changes i made:

• set mainForm.allowdrop = true
• handled mainForm_DragOver + mainForm_DragDrop
• in the dragover event it only shows dragging allowed for files
• in dragdrop, if dragged data is file(s), it creates a new picturebox for each file + sets the appropriate properties (size, location, tag, image, cursor), extracting the associated icon for image
• + adds a handler for doubleclick
• in the pb_doubleclick event it runs the file in it's default editor/viewer

What do you mean what changes you made?

[.paul.]

What do you mean what changes you made?

the differences between the zipped project in post#2 + the code in post#4

i forgot to mention i changed the docking from right edge to bottom edge too...

[_TANK_]

the differences between the zipped project in post#2 + the code in post#4

i forgot to mention i changed the docking from right edge to bottom edge too...

So I download your docked bar and in the code put your code?

[.paul.]

So I download your docked bar and in the code put your code?

yep. that's about it.

[_TANK_]

yep. that's about it.

When I try dragging a file into it it gives me the (\) Cursor Image thing. Why is this happening?

[.paul.]

you mean a file from explorer?
you're not trying to drag an open application to it?

[.paul.]

did you set mainForm .AllowDrop = true in your properties window?

[_TANK_]

did you set mainForm .AllowDrop = true in your properties window?

Nope >_< I feel so stupid. Thanks

Also how can I change the length to say 500 pixels but each time a new file is dragged in the bar gets wider?

[_TANK_]

did you set mainForm .AllowDrop = true in your properties window?

How can I make the program remember the programs over restart?