100% Customizable MenuStrip / ToolStrip / StatusStrip, including common presets

[arcanine]

Yes, I just add the files to the project and build. After click on built vb is showing the error list.

I've had those errors too. The name of the solution that NickThissen used to create the Customizable Strips was named "CustomizableStrips", so when you added them to your project, they are referencing a NameSpace that doesn't exist. If you go to each line of code that has that error and change "CustomizableStrips" to the name of your solution, the errors should go away.

[NickThissen]

I've had those errors too. The name of the solution that NickThissen used to create the Customizable Strips was named "CustomizableStrips", so when you added them to your project, they are referencing a NameSpace that doesn't exist. If you go to each line of code that has that error and change "CustomizableStrips" to the name of your solution, the errors should go away.

Ah, good catch! An easier fix is to put the files in a new control library project called CustomizableStrips, or just wrap each class in a namespace called called like that.

[arcanine]

Ah, good catch! An easier fix is to put the files in a new control library project called CustomizableStrips, or just wrap each class in a namespace called called like that.

Agreed! I added them manually a couple of times and then started using the controls library method, and it is a whole lot better!

[AMedina]

Agreed! I added them manually a couple of times and then started using the controls library method, and it is a whole lot better!

Thank you, Arcanine and Nick. I have the application working.
One question: is possible to get menus such as Visual Studio 2010, where there are items with color gradients?. I've tried, but I have not been able to achieve.

[NickThissen]

One question: is possible to get menus such as Visual Studio 2010, where there are items with color gradients?. I've tried, but I have not been able to achieve.

Not with these controls.

There are basically two ways to custom render a ToolStrip (and MenuStrip, etc):

(1) Implement your own ProfessionalColorTable, where you specify which colors the ToolStrip uses.

(2) Implement your own ToolStripProfessionalRenderer, where you draw everything manually using GDI+ techniques.


My control here uses option (1). It basically tells the ToolStrip to render itself like it usually does, except you tell it to use some different colors. Simply said: you can only change the colors, but you cannot add new colors or color stuff where the regular ToolStrip doesn't paint. You cannot create gradients that don't exist in the regular ToolStrip.


Option (2) gives you much more freedom, you can draw whatever you want and however you want it. This way you are free to draw a gradient wherever you want. Unfortunately, it's a lot more work!


Luckily for you, I happened to have created quite a few custom ToolStripProfessionalRenderers (option 2), including a VS2008 style and a VS2010 style You can find the links in my signature.

[dherr]

Hi Nick,

a question to you about CustomizableStatusstrip:
when you choose the colorscheme black for instance then should be the forecolor of the texts in 'white'.
How can I do that?...

Dietrich

[RajaFaisal]

Hello dear,
I am having a problem while I try to add these files in a vb class library project and recieve a lot of errors like 'Error 101 Type 'Color' is not defined.
' . As i am a newbie in VB.Net and have no clue how to deal with these errors. M i missing something to add ? Can someone help me n this

[alexkn]

I'd want to implement your AppearanceControl -it's nice, but when I set a form for your AppearaceEditor it requires a parameter (ap) (I downloaded CustomizableStripsLibrary.zip ). What does it mean and what must I do?
Alex

[dherr]

Hi Nick,
I try to use the ContextMenustrip.
The situation:
A MDI-Cildform with a Datagridview and I want to show the Contextmenustrip at Mousedownevent. The menu shows but not at mouseposition but rather in the left upper corner of the screen...

What's wrong?

Regards-
Dietrich

[dherr]

Hi all,
do you use the ReportViewer control (I use version 11.0) eventually?
This control has a internal Toolstrip too! And you can adapt the AppearanceControl to this Toolstrip with the following code:
Dim ts() As Control = ReportViewer1.Controls.Find("ToolStrip1", True)
If Not IsNothing(ts) Then
Dim tsItem As ToolStrip = DirectCast(ts(0), ToolStrip)
With tsItem
.AutoSize = True
.RenderMode = ToolStripRenderMode.Professional
.Renderer = AppearanceControl1.Renderer
End With
End If

Greetings-
Dietrich