Components

[vbgladiator]

I have a component (class library) project in vb.net.
I added a new project to the solution and added a reference to the component.
Now, I want to be able to add that component onto a form so that it will appear in the panel beneath the form. Just like when you add a ado.net connection control.
How do I do that????? I thought it would appear in the toolbox but it doesn't.

[Cander]

right click on the toolbox. Select Customize Toolbox.

[vbgladiator]

I don't see customize toolbox. I only have add/remove items.
That is what's odd to me. Shouldn't that component appear in the add/remove window?

[Cander]

What version of Visual Studio are you using?

[vbgladiator]

.NET 1.1 or 2003

[Cander]

I guess thay may have changed it then. so I have no clue.

[crptcblade]

Did you browse for your dll in the Add/Remove dialog? Or are you expecting it to just show up? Most of the time I have found that I need to point to the dll and then the controls show up.

[vbgladiator]

Yeah, I know that problem. I'm referencing a project though. I have the container project along with the tester in teh same solution for debugging purposes.

[kleinma]

so what you are saying is your usercontrol is not a design time on the form user control, but more like a tooltip control, or contextmenu control?

i noticed you said class library... is it? or is it a control library?

[vbgladiator]

it's a component class library as it includes a timer.
I want it to add as a component to my tester project.

[kleinma]

sorry maybe im just totally confused... if you go to new project, did you pick "Class Library" or "Windows Control Library"

I don't see any "component class library"

[vbgladiator]

sorry, it's a class library.

[kleinma]

im not positive, but to get it to show up in the components, or toolbox, it needs to actually contain a component in it... or be a control library, if it is just a class, you can't add it there

[vbgladiator]

But it does. The class contains a timer component.

[Cander]

Oh I think I get it now. The problem isnt that you cant add a compiled component to the toolbox, its you cant add a component project to it like you can with REferences right?

[vbgladiator]

I'm not sure I know what you mean.
I have the class library with a timer in it.

I have added another project to the solution and referenced the class library project in the new project.

I can create the object in code no problem.

I want to be able to include it in the testing app as a component.
Hope that clears things up a bit more.

Thanks,

[Cander]

The class has to inherit ComponentModel.Component and then be added to toolbox.

[kleinma]

i think the problem is that it just isnt a component.. its a class.. if the class inherited from the timer class, then it would be a component and it would be able to be added... if you change a class into a component via inheritence, the icon for the .vb file changes.. that is the only way I have done it... so I am not sure if your way is possible.. see the picture

[vbgladiator]

This is the heading of the class

Public Class FootPedal
    Inherits System.ComponentModel.Component
 
''this is more down where the timer code is
 
 Private components As System.ComponentModel.IContainer
    Friend WithEvents tmrPortQuery As System.Windows.Forms.Timer
 
    ' ===================================
    ' Interval merely sets and returns the tmrPortQuery.Interval
    '  property.
    ' ===================================
    <DefaultValue(100), _
     Description("Automated polling interval."), _
     Category("Behavior")> _
    Public Property Interval() As Integer

[Cander]

Then compile it and use the Add/REmove for the toolbox then you can drag it onto the form.