CodeProject: An Office 2003-like popup notifier. Free source code and programming help

Report Article

Discuss

Send to a friend

51 votes for this Article.

Popularity: 7.73 Rating: 4.53 out of 5

Introduction

This is a simple project, a control that mimics the Microsoft® Outlook® 2003 mail alert.

Features

This control has several features. Among them, you'll find:

Progressive appearance - transparency

MSN Messenger like pop-ups (any size, color, etc.)

Another sample

This control is 100% drawn in the code, there is absolutely no other dependencies than System.Drawing and System.Windows.Forms.

You can include a ContextMenuStrip when clicking on the "down arrow" button.

Using the code

The controls is made of two basic classes:

A form (the part that will actually show up).
A class that contains all the properties that will be includable on forms.

The class contains two timers, one used for the appearing/disappearing animation, the other (configurable) is used to define how much time the popup is shown before it disappears.

This is how the form is actually shown:

fPopup.Size = Size
fPopup.Opacity = 0
fPopup.Location = _
  New Point(Screen.PrimaryScreen.WorkingArea.Right_
   - fPopup.Size.Width - 1, _
   Screen.PrimaryScreen.WorkingArea.Bottom)
fPopup.Show()

The form is does the drawing in the Paint event.

I'm using these functions to obtain a color that is similar but lighter/darker. There might exist another method.

Private Function GetDarkerColor(ByVal Color As Color) As Color
    Dim clNew As Color
    clNew = Drawing.Color.FromArgb(255, DedValueMin0(CInt(Color.R), _
            Parent.GradientPower), DedValueMin0(CInt(Color.G), _
            Parent.GradientPower), DedValueMin0(CInt(Color.B), _
            Parent.GradientPower))
    Return clNew
End Function

And to avoid flickering...

Me.SetStyle(ControlStyles.OptimizedDoubleBuffer, True)
Me.SetStyle(ControlStyles.ResizeRedraw, True)
Me.SetStyle(ControlStyles.AllPaintingInWmPaint, True)

Points of Interest

None really, it's nice, it's fun, it's colorful... that's it :)

History

March 2006 - V 1.0.

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

About the Author

Nicolas Wälti

Occupation:	Software Developer (Senior)
Location:	Switzerland

Other popular C / C++ Language articles:

Member Function Pointers and the Fastest Possible C++ Delegates
A comprehensive tutorial on member function pointers, and an implementation of delegates that generates only two ASM opcodes!
How a C++ compiler implements exception handling
An indepth discussion of how VC++ implements exception handling. Source code includes exception handling library for VC++.
A Beginner's Guide to Pointers
An article showing the use of pointers in C and C++
XML class for processing and building simple XML documents
Link CMarkup into your VC++ app and avoid complex XML tools and dependencies
PugXML - A Small, Pugnacious XML Parser
Discussion of techniques for fast, robust, light-weight XML parsing.

Article Top

You must Sign In to use this message board.

Msgs 1 to 25 of 103 (Total in Forum: 103) (Refresh)

FirstPrevNext

Unable to close the popup with the close button!!!

harvindersingh115

4:04 1 Oct '08

Hello

I am trying to close the popup through the Close event and calling the Dispose method on the PopupNotifier. However it does not close the popup, is there anything wrong I am trying to do here? please advise on this, below is the code I am working with.


            PopupNotifier pn;
        
        void popUp()
        {

            pn = new PopupNotifier();

            pn.BodyColor = System.Drawing.Color.Beige;
            pn.BorderColor = System.Drawing.Color.Black;
            pn.ButtonHoverColor = System.Drawing.Color.LightGoldenrodYellow;
            pn.ContentColor = System.Drawing.Color.Black;
            pn.ContentFont = new System.Drawing.Font("Tahoma", 8F);
            pn.ContentText = "You\'ve got mail... (I always wanted to say that !)";
            pn.HeaderColor = System.Drawing.Color.Black;

            pn.ImagePosition = new System.Drawing.Point(12, 21);
            pn.ImageSize = new System.Drawing.Size(24, 24);
            pn.LinkHoverColor = System.Drawing.Color.DarkSlateGray;
            pn.OptionsMenu = null;
            pn.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(400, 100);
            pn.TextPadding = new System.Windows.Forms.Padding(10);
            pn.TitleColor = System.Drawing.Color.Black;
            pn.TitleFont = new System.Drawing.Font("Trebuchet MS", 9.75F, System.Drawing.FontStyle.Bold);
            pn.TitleText = "Office 2003 anyone ?";
            pn.ShowDelay = 5000;
            pn.OptionsButton = true;
            pn.ShowGrip = true;

            pn.Click += new PopupNotifier.ClickEventHandler(pn_Click);
            pn.Close += new PopupNotifier.CloseEventHandler(pn_Close);
            pn.Disposed += new EventHandler(pn_Disposed);

            pn.Popup();
        }

        void pn_Disposed(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            MessageBox.Show("Closing");
            
        }

        void pn_Close()
        {
            pn.Dispose();
        }

4.00/5 (1 vote)

How to use this in a project C#

harvindersingh115

4:22 29 Sep '08

Hello I am a new to Visual Studio and C# as well. I am having hard time in trying to use this. I would really appreciate if someone explains to me how I can make this code to work in an example? I would like to create an example notification using the PopupNotifier that is similar to the first example above. Please help.
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Re: How to use this in a project C#

harvindersingh115

5:03 1 Oct '08

Just to update I am now okay with this, as I was able to create an example working very nicely. Only one issue left and I have posted a new thread with the issue for clsoing the popu when the lose button is pressed.
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Excellent Work...........

Member 4017381

7:14 19 Aug '08

Hye Nick........... AWESOM ARTICLE man ..Thanks for making this difficult code so simple & understandable.... Looking forward to ur next post Cheerz !
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

From right to left order

ammsamm

1:40 22 Oct '07

Keep the good work can u inculde a right to left order in the project....
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink	3.00/5 (2 votes)

New version anyone

Nick Waelti

0:21 26 Aug '07

I will design a new version of this tool (among other things for Office 2007...) stay tuned ! http://www.blueactivity.com http://www.blueactivity.com
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink	5.00/5 (2 votes)

Re: New version anyone - I'd be glad

semmel71

9:04 10 Oct '07

Hi Nick, yes please , a new version that would be grand ! Not that I would not like the current version - no it is sufficient for my needs in the moment. It will be a real quality eye candy for my application. However I would not disregard a newer version with perhaps some text formatting capabilites. Keep on Your good work! Semmel
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Re: New version anyone

Member 1315320

7:22 23 Dec '07

Link for download ?
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink	5.00/5 (1 vote)

Re: New version anyone

garyjohn_2000

7:06 31 Dec '07

Is it done yet? (I think I heard that before! "are we there yet?!" LOL!) Btw, this control works great except while threading. Keep up the great job but please post a solution for using this great class in a managed thread.
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink	2.00/5 (1 vote)

Unused Code

pablleaf

13:07 21 Jun '07

The function GetLighterTransparentColor is not used.
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Redundant Line of Code

pablleaf

11:38 21 Jun '07

Just an FYI. In the Sub New function the .FormBorderStyle is being set twice. `Sub New() With fPopup .TopMost = False -----> .FormBorderStyle = System.Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.None <----- .StartPosition = System.Windows.Forms.FormStartPosition.Manual .FormBorderStyle = Windows.Forms.FormBorderStyle.None .ShowInTaskbar = False End With tmAnimation.Interval = 50 End Sub`
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Small Doubt

GayuDams

3:05 26 Apr '07

Can we use this project for .Net 2003 version. If we open the project we are getting the following error "The selected file is a visual studio solution file,but was created with a newer version of visual studio and cannot be opened. gayathri
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Opacity Problem with multiple stacking popups

fperugini

11:18 22 Mar '07

I implemented the PopupNotifierCollection to manage multiple stacking popups. The only problem I see is that the Opacity level of the popup windows are different. The bottom most popup is transparent, and the top most one is fully solid. It may have to do with the animation. Did anyone correct this? It would be nice to have a setting for the maximum opacity too. -Frank
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Re: Opacity Problem with multiple stacking popups

fperugini

5:33 23 Mar '07

I think I figured it out. You need to take the offset into account in this Function:

    Private Function GetOpacityBasedOnPosition() As Double
        Dim iCentPourcent As Integer = fPopup.Height
        Dim iCurrentlyShown As Integer = Screen.PrimaryScreen.WorkingArea.Height - fPopup.Top - iOffset
        Dim dPourcentOpacity As Double = iCentPourcent / 100 * iCurrentlyShown
        Return (dPourcentOpacity / 100) - 0.05
    End Function

-Frank

Re: Opacity Problem with multiple stacking popups

Styxke

21:27 5 Apr '07

Is it possible to share the source with me ? Thanks in advance !
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Re: Opacity Problem with multiple stacking popups

fperugini

8:16 13 Apr '07

Hi, The code for the multiple stacking popups was already posted here: http://www.codeproject.com/vb/net/PopupNotifier.asp?msg=1429432#xx1429432xx[^]
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Multiple Highlight Lines

b00tleg

10:38 22 Mar '07

I got it to run correctly, but how can I add more than one contex line item? I want to create two lines/links that both take seperate actions on their click events... I am finding it hard to change the way it looks, I tried adding labels to popupnotifierform.vb but it does not carry over to the actual popup. I am decent enough with VB but have not tried creating my own component. I was expecting just a form I could change the design of that would pop up.

Thanks on the code though - gives me a place to learn.

Re: Multiple Highlight Lines

Nick Waelti

23:34 22 Mar '07

In fact, I've not been using other controls on that form. The form is a placeholder.

Its content is only painted and is not "existing".

You can see for instance in PopupNotifierRenderersOffice2003.vb


    Protected Overrides Sub OnRenderContent(ByVal e As PopupNotifierRenderArgs)
        If Not e.Parent.Image Is Nothing Then
            e.Graphics.DrawImage(e.Parent.Image, e.Parent.ImagePosition.X, e.Parent.ImagePosition.Y, e.Parent.ImageSize.Width, e.Parent.ImageSize.Height)
        End If

        e.Parent.Form.HeightOfTitle = e.Graphics.MeasureString("A", e.Parent.TitleFont).Height

        Dim iTitleOrigin As Integer
        If Not e.Parent.Image Is Nothing Then
            iTitleOrigin = e.Parent.ImagePosition.X + e.Parent.ImageSize.Width + e.Parent.TextPadding.Left
        Else
            iTitleOrigin = e.Parent.TextPadding.Left
        End If

        If e.Parent.Form.MouseIsOnTextLink Then
            e.Parent.Form.Cursor = Cursors.Hand
            e.Graphics.DrawString(e.Parent.ContentText, New Font(SystemFonts.DialogFont, FontStyle.Underline), New SolidBrush(Color.Black), e.Parent.Form.RectText)
        Else
            e.Parent.Form.Cursor = Cursors.Default
            e.Graphics.DrawString(e.Parent.ContentText, New Font(SystemFonts.DialogFont, FontStyle.Regular), New SolidBrush(Color.Black), e.Parent.Form.RectText)
        End If
        e.Graphics.DrawString(e.Parent.TitleText, New Font(SystemFonts.DialogFont, FontStyle.Bold), New SolidBrush(Color.Black), iTitleOrigin, e.Parent.TextPadding.Top + e.Parent.HeaderHeight)
    End Sub

There is a call to e.Graphics.Drawstring to print the text link and there is a variable that is set by PopupNotifier to define whether we are on the link with the mouse or not. If you just want to have another link, you need to double that feature.


        If e.Parent.Form.MouseIsOnSecondTextLink Then
            e.Parent.Form.Cursor = Cursors.Hand
            e.Graphics.DrawString(e.Parent.SecondContentText, New Font(SystemFonts.DialogFont, FontStyle.Underline), New SolidBrush(Color.Black), e.Parent.Form.RectSecondText)
        Else
            e.Parent.Form.Cursor = Cursors.Default
            e.Graphics.DrawString(e.Parent.SecondContentText, New Font(SystemFonts.DialogFont, FontStyle.Regular), New SolidBrush(Color.Black), e.Parent.Form.SecondRectText)
        End If

then in PopupNotifier.vb:


    Private sText2 As String
     _
    Property SecondContentText() As String
        Get
            Return sText2
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As String)
            sText2 = value

        End Set
    End Property

And then for PopupNotifierForm.vb:


    Public ReadOnly Property SecondRectText() As RectangleF
        Get
            If Not Parent.Image Is Nothing Then
                Return New RectangleF(Parent.ImagePosition.X + Parent.ImageSize.Width + Parent.TextPadding.Left, Parent.TextPadding.Top + Parent.TextPadding.Top + HeightOfTitle + Parent.HeaderHeight + RectText.Height, Me.Width - Parent.ImageSize.Width - Parent.ImagePosition.X - 16 - 5 - Parent.TextPadding.Left - Parent.TextPadding.Right, Me.Height - Parent.HeaderHeight - Parent.TextPadding.Top - Parent.TextPadding.Top - Parent.TextPadding.Bottom - HeightOfTitle - 1)
            Else
                Return New RectangleF(Parent.TextPadding.Left, Parent.TextPadding.Top + Parent.TextPadding.Top + HeightOfTitle + Parent.HeaderHeight + RectText.Height , Me.Width - 16 - 5 - Parent.TextPadding.Left - Parent.TextPadding.Right, Me.Height - Parent.HeaderHeight - Parent.TextPadding.Top - Parent.TextPadding.Top - Parent.TextPadding.Bottom - HeightOfTitle - 1)
            End If
        End Get
    End Property

Then alors in the mouse_move event


        If SecondRectText.Contains(e.X, e.Y) Then
            bMouseOnLink2 = True
        Else
            bMouseOnLink2 = False
        End If

And that should pretty much do the trick Smile

Re: Multiple Highlight Lines

b00tleg

8:04 23 Mar '07

Thanks, you showed me what to look for to add things. I eventually had to make a couple functions to get the width and height of the text in pixels to set the hover actions (the first link takes up the whole rectangle on the hover action).

I also had to modify the click() function to execute different functions for each link.

The only thing I am stuck on now is how to show the options arrow. Right now if i click under the X I get the context menu, but there is no down arrow to show the user there is a button there...

5.00/5 (1 vote)

Re: Multiple Highlight Lines

Honey Arora

20:29 23 May '07

You could have pasted your code here, atleast for the pixcel thing and for click functionality would have helped me a lot (even tried to mail you but CODEPROJECT says your email is not verified so mailing failed ) while(1){ $source = "open"; }
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

C# version

Ambili_T

23:23 21 Mar '07

Hi ..
i have converted this into C# .. but facing 1 problem..
In vb.net he has used like this in PopupNotifier.vb file.
Private WithEvents fPopup As New PopupNotifierForm(Me)

The C# equivalent to "Me" in VB is "THIS".
But u cant get a pointer to "this" keyword IN A CLASS IN C#.
private PopupNotifierForm fPopup = new PopupNotifierForm(this); // gives compile error.
Please help...
thanks

Jay
MCAD.NET

1.00/5 (1 vote)

Re: C# version

LittleWhiteDog

22:33 22 Mar '07

With C#, you have to initialize it in the constructor. public PopupNotifier() { //InitializeComponent(); fPopup = new PopupNotifier(this); ... } don't waste your time, or time will waste you
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink	1.00/5 (1 vote)

Howto move the popup with the grip?

LittleWhiteDog

6:32 14 Mar '07

In outlook, the popup kan be moved around with the "grip". Can this be done with this borderless form too? Or do i need to look for another solution? - don't waste your time, or time will waste you -
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink	2.00/5 (1 vote)

Re: Howto move the popup with the grip?

Nick Waelti

3:42 15 Mar '07

I know it is possible... Maybe you should look at this: http://www.vbforums.com/showthread.php?t=248176 Cheers, Nick
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Re: Howto move the popup with the grip? [modified]

LittleWhiteDog

6:20 21 Mar '07

Owkey, this worked. I programmed this in Win XP. Is it guaranteed to work in Vista as well? -- modified at 12:10 Wednesday 21st March, 2007 don't waste your time, or time will waste you
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Last Visit: Wednesday, December 3, 2008 8:23 PM Last Update:Wednesday, December 3, 2008 8:23 PM

12 3 4 Next »

General News Question Answer Joke Rant Admin