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Sample Image - MagicMenuControl.gif

Why another MenuControl?

The .NET Framework contains a wide range of user interface controls, but they offer only a basic look and feel. Today's user expects a richer experience that you just cannot build with the out-of-the-box controls. The Magic Library (of which this MenuControl is a major part) aims to solve this by providing a set of user interface elements that add the sophistication expected from modern Windows applications.

Downloads

The first download MenuControl Sample contains a example application that uses shows the MenuControl from the Magic Library. This allows you to experiment and test out the feature. The actual source code is inside the separate second download. At nearly 1MB in size, I thought people would prefer to download the sample before deciding if they want to install the entire source code project!

Description

The usual way to create a menu for your application is via the Menu property of your applications main Form. Unfortunately this gives a very basic look and feel and does not support the new Visual Studio .NET appearance.

This is where the MenuControl class comes into its own as it closely mimics the Visual Studio .NET look and feel. Not only that, but you can create as many instances as you like and place them anywhere on your Form. You can even use the Dock property to place the control against the left/right and bottom edges as well as the traditional top position. When placed on the left or right edges it will draw the menu items vertically.

When using the control within an MDI application it is important that exactly one instance of the MenuControl uses the MdiContainer property. This property should be given a reference to the MDI parent Form so that it can correctly display the pendant for MDI child Forms .

MenuCommand Instances

The control exposes a property called MenuCommands that contains the collection of MenuCommand instances for display. You cannot use the builtin menu designer to generate the instances and so will need to use code to create the structure you need. Look at the sample code to see how this is done.

PopupMenu

Also demonstrated in the sample is use of the PopupMenu class that can be seen by right clicking the RichTextBox present inside each MDI child instance. This shows how to create a context menu using the VS.NET/OfficeXP look and feel. It uses the same MenuCommand instances as the MenuControl.

More Details

Download and install the Magic Libary where a couple of more detailed artiles describe how all the various features of the MenuControl and PopupMenu work.

Revision History

30 Sept 2002 - Initial Revision

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Questionlicx Pin
HemantPune
20:32 16 Sep '07  
GeneralNow it is no more for free Pin
Anonymous
6:57 7 Jun '05  
GeneralRe: Now it is no more for free Pin
Gazon
8:54 7 Jun '05  
GeneralDon't add the MDI child Menu Pin
cscrazy
3:49 14 May '05  
GeneralRelate with NotifyIcon Pin
Gazon
17:30 12 Feb '05  
GeneralProgrammatically forcing an update? Pin
Rick Pingry
10:24 21 Dec '04  
GeneralNot CLS Compliant? Pin
Rick Pingry
14:45 8 Sep '04  
GeneralRe: Not CLS Compliant? Pin
DelphiCoder
20:49 12 Oct '04  
GeneralRe: Not CLS Compliant? Pin
Rick Pingry
5:08 13 Oct '04  
GeneralRe: Not CLS Compliant? Pin
DelphiCoder
10:43 20 Oct '04  
GeneralRe: Not CLS Compliant? Pin
Rick Pingry
11:11 20 Oct '04  
GeneralNedd GUI controls Pin
send2tusharp@yahoo.com
21:11 29 Aug '04  
GeneralProblems with dynamic contextmenu + notifyIcon Pin
gein
1:31 29 May '04  
GeneralProgrammatically opening a menu Pin
Rick Pingry
7:35 25 May '04  
GeneralHow I Install DotNetBar in my Visual Studio .NET Pin
sk0rpi0n
5:44 16 Mar '04  
GeneralError with menu within menu Pin
KlaasjanMors
12:17 14 Feb '04  
GeneralMerge MDI Child Menu with MDI Parent Menu. Pin
SunilNRao
19:58 11 Jan '04  
GeneralAdding "Popup Menu" as Context Menu to a ToolBar Pin
jayakarthikeyan
4:10 23 Dec '03  
GeneralCompiling on command line Pin
Marc Heiligers
8:04 5 Nov '03  
GeneralBUG: Showing a PopupMenu over controls that handle MouseEnter/MouseLeave Pin
dacris
10:17 27 Aug '03  
GeneralRe: BUG: Showing a PopupMenu over controls that handle MouseEnter/MouseLeave Pin
Anonymous
10:05 4 Oct '04  
GeneralTo Phil Pin
namortaror@hotmail.com
6:50 20 Aug '03  
GeneralUrgent! Pin
psusong
2:17 18 Jun '03  
GeneralSos!!How can i add my own icon to the menu?? Pin
Anonymous
2:24 8 Apr '03  
GeneralRe: Sos!!How can i add my own icon to the menu?? Pin
Manster
4:19 7 Jul '03  


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