I'm currently using VB6, but am looking for a control that functions similar to what's in the .Net IDE (Toolbox, Server Explorer, etc.). The main portion I need is the ability to dock the control in hide mode, and the associated window pops out when one of the control tabs is hovered. Really I have a two part question.
Part 1: Does anyone know of a control (3rd party) that provides this type of functionality?
Part 2: If I can't find a control, I might write my own. I've written ActiveX controls before, but none quite like this. My main area of concern is that in all likelyhood, the pop-out will need to be displayed outside of the control. I haven't done this before, so guidance on how to start this would be appreciated (as well as any other possible solutions).
This can be done, but it is extremely complicated and requires a lot of weird code. Your best bet is to get a commercial control for this; VB just isn't up to the task.
Here’s a little something that I threw together, and was wondering if you (and anyone else that would like) might take a quick look at it and provide me with some feedback. I’ve focused about 90-95% of my time so far in getting the Popout to be contained outside of the WinPopout control and getting it recognize when to retract (ie. when the mouse is moved outside the Popout). So please keep that in mind when looking at it.
Here are a few things that I already know need to be fixed:
- If the control isn’t on the very left edge of the form, the Popout isn’t displayed in the right place
- If you move to a tab, the popout’s displayed, move mouse over popout, then back to the same tab, it retracts the popout and extends it again. It shouldn’t retract if move back to same tab.
- Most of the details aren’t implemented yet – such as changing colors, the tabs right now are static, needs numerous graphic enhancements (3D, etc.), and on and on
- When you hover over a tab and the Popout is extended, if you move the mouse fairly quick across the Popout to where it ends up over the Form, sometimes the Popout doesn’t retract as it should
Basically, any feedback you could provide on the functionality that is implemented would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!!