PANELS? Operates somewhat like a treeview

[BOB MECHLER]

I'm interested in a control that operates like the control in Web Matrix and Visual Web Express (This is not a web site creation question) where the different categories of controls available for the project are like collapsed window shades except for the one with focus. Clicking on another has the effect of pulling the details of the different controls for that category into view while hiding the previous set of controls. Is there a control for this or are they created on the fly? I think it's called a Panel.

Bob Mechler

[Michael Mattias]

Link to picture(s)?

[Chris Boss]

A great tool for examining applications to see how they are built is Borjes WinSpy (downloadable from PB web site).

http://www.powerbasic.com/support/downloads/tools.htm (download PB WinSpy)

You can move the mouse cursor over any application and it will show you what window class the windows are.

When you do this, you will often find that the window class names are not familiar (not any of the standard window classes or common controls).

Apps built using programming languages which support ActiveX controls often use a variety of third party custom controls (or custom controls provided by the programming language. ie. Borland languages).

If the window class (of the program you are examining) is not one of the standard window classes (or common controls), you will have a difficult time emulating it. You will either have to purchase those controls (if they have DLL versions) or build your own.

One technique for building your own is to superclass existing controls and add features to them. Another is to use either ownerdraw or customdraw techniques to change the look of existing controls.

Also by combining both techniques you can create some interesting controls. I created two custom control classes (Property Listbox and a Files Listbox) by superclassing the Listbox control and then using Ownerdraw to draw them (to customize them).

It would be help to post some screen shots of what you are trying to emulate, so others can offer suggestions in how to build something close to it.

[Kev Peel]

I think you may be talking about MFC's property list control (a combination of a TreeView and basic property list). It is not part of the OS and I believe is an ActiveX (OCX) control only.

[BOB MECHLER]

Thought it wasn't a native control. Thanks for the feedback.

Bob Mechler

[Michael Mattias]

If this IS a 'property list' control, *someone* here either markets one or has provided one for free. (I have tried it). (A while ago).

Worth a search here on 'property list' I think.. or maybe a 'request' post in the third-party forum.

[Kev Peel]

Yea, that would be me

The product page is http://www.kgpsoftware.com/prpt.htm. It's not up to the standard of the Microsoft control though. That thing looks real complex to write, but you never know