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63 votes for this article.

Popularity: 8.37 Rating: 4.65 out of 5

Download demo project - 14.4 Kb

Figure - Form showing selected Label control, following selection

Introduction

The PickBox class provides sizing handles that allow the positioning and sizing on simple controls on a containing form. This C# sample was adapted from an earlier version of the class written in VB (version 6). The sample was prepared using Borland's C# Builder IDE and exported to a VS project.

Using the code

The PickBox class exposes a "WireControl" method that attaches events to a passed control, implementing �pickbox� behavior. Clicking on a �wired� control displays eight sizing handles around the perimeter of the control and enables sizing and dragging of the control via mouse event handlers provided by the class instance (see commented code for details). The following snippet illustrates the use of the PickBox class and this function from within the Sample Form:

//(Excerpt from Winform.cs)

//

// Create an instance of the PickBox class

//

private PickBox pb = new PickBox();
public WinForm() // Sample Form's constuctor

{
    InitializeComponent();
    //

    // Provide a Click event handler for each control

    // that attaches a pick box to the control when clicked

    //

    foreach (Control c in this.Controls) {
        pb.WireControl(c);
    }
}

The "WireControl" method attaches a Click event handler to each passed control. When called the event handler then attaches the "pickbox", made up of eight Label controls that act as sizing handles, to the clicked control. In addition, mouse event handlers are attached to the control allowing for dragging of the control on its parent form.

//(Excerpt from PickBox.cs)

private void SelectControl(object sender, EventArgs e) {
    if (m_control is Control) {
        m_control.Cursor = oldCursor;
        // Remove event any event handlers appended to last control

        // by this class

        m_control.MouseDown -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseDown);
        m_control.MouseMove -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseMove);
        m_control.MouseUp -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseUp);
        m_control.Click -= new EventHandler(this.SelectControl);
        m_control = null;
    }
    m_control = (Control)sender;
    //Add event handlers for moving the selected control around

    m_control.MouseDown += new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseDown);
    m_control.MouseMove += new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseMove);
    m_control.MouseUp += new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseUp);
    //Add sizing handles to Control's container (Form or PictureBox)

    for (int i = 0; i<8; i++) {
        m_control.Parent.Controls.Add(lbl[i]);
        lbl[i].BringToFront();
    }
    //Position sizing handles around Control

    MoveHandles();
    //Display sizing handles

    ShowHandles();
    oldCursor = m_control.Cursor;
    m_control.Cursor = Cursors.SizeAll;
}

The sizing handles are Labels that are created, initialized and stored in an array of Label controls when the instance of the PickBox class is constructed. MouseDown, MouseMove, and MouseUp events service the array of Labels during control sizing operations.

Points of Interest

The class sample works well for simple applications, but may exhibit some interaction within applications employing more complicated, time-critical event handling. In it�s current form it provides for the selection of only one control at a time.

The PickBox sample is a simpler, and probably less versatile C# example of the functionality presented in the C++ sample �A Sizing/Moving widget� by Andrew JM Hall.

History

This is the initial submission of the sample.

License

This article has no explicit license attached to it but may contain usage terms in the article text or the download files themselves. If in doubt please contact the author via the discussion board below.

A list of licenses authors might use can be found here

About the Author

Jim Korovessis

Member

Manager, Customer Training in Ottawa, ON, Canada
www.gdcanada.com

Occupation:	Program Manager
Company:	General Dynamics Canada
Location:	Canada

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Updated with multiple selection

ecklerpa

10:17 21 Apr '09

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Text;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace ScreenEditor
{
///

/// This class implements sizing and moving functions for
/// runtime editing of graphic controls
///

public class ObjectSelect
{
private class DummySelect
{
public Control dummyCtl;
public Label[] lbl = new Label[8];
}
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// PRIVATE CONSTANTS AND VARIABLES
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

private const int BOX_SIZE = 8;
private Color BOX_COLOR = Color.White;
//private ContainerControl m_container;
private Control m_control;
private Label[] lbl = new Label[8];
private int startl;
private int startt;
private int startw;
private int starth;
private int startx;
private int starty;
private bool dragging;
private Cursor[] arrArrow = new Cursor[] {Cursors.SizeNWSE, Cursors.SizeNS,
Cursors.SizeNESW, Cursors.SizeWE, Cursors.SizeNWSE, Cursors.SizeNS,
Cursors.SizeNESW, Cursors.SizeWE};
private Cursor oldCursor;
private Rectangle objectContainer;

private const int MIN_SIZE = 20;

//DUMMY Select labels List
private List DummySelectList = new List();

// Constructor creates 8 sizing handles & wires mouse events
// to each that implement sizing functions
public ObjectSelect()
{
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
{
lbl[i] = new Label();
lbl[i].TabIndex = i;
lbl[i].FlatStyle = 0;
lbl[i].BorderStyle = BorderStyle.FixedSingle;
lbl[i].BackColor = BOX_COLOR;
lbl[i].Cursor = arrArrow[i];
lbl[i].Text = "";
lbl[i].BringToFront();
lbl[i].MouseDown += new MouseEventHandler(this.lbl_MouseDown);
lbl[i].MouseMove += new MouseEventHandler(this.lbl_MouseMove);
lbl[i].MouseUp += new MouseEventHandler(this.lbl_MouseUp);
}
}

#region PUBLIC METHODS

// Wires a Click event handler to the passed Control
// that attaches a pick box to the control when it is clicked
public void WireControl(Control ctl)
{
ctl.Click += new EventHandler(this.SelectControl);
}

//Call this when removing an object from the container, this simply
//cleans up some event handlers from the system, make sure you call
//before actually destroying the Control.
public void UnWireControl(Control ctl)
{
if (m_control == ctl)
{
//m_control will be the only one having these handlers
ctl.MouseDown -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseDown);
ctl.MouseMove -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseMove);
ctl.MouseUp -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseUp);
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
{
lbl[i].Visible = false;
}
m_control.Cursor = oldCursor;
m_control = null;
}

ctl.Click -= new EventHandler(this.SelectControl);

RemoveDummyFromList(ctl);
}

//This will establish a boundry for the objects within it
public void SetScreenContainerBounds(Rectangle ScreenContainerBounds)
{
objectContainer = ScreenContainerBounds;
}

//Capture the Arrow Keys keyboard presses and send them here
public void MoveSelectedObject(int ArrowDirection)
{
if (m_control == null)
return;

int t = m_control.Top;
int l = m_control.Left;

switch (ArrowDirection)
{
case (int)Keys.Left:
l = l - 1;
break;
case (int)Keys.Right:
l = l + 1;
break;
case (int)Keys.Up:
t = t - 1;
break;
case (int)Keys.Down:
t = t + 1;
break;
}

int holdT = t;
int holdL = l;

int w = m_control.Width;
int h = m_control.Height;

int RightBoundry = objectContainer.Width + objectContainer.Left;
int BottomBoundry = objectContainer.Height + objectContainer.Top;
int LeftBoundry = objectContainer.Left;
int TopBoundry = objectContainer.Top;

l = (l < LeftBoundry) ? LeftBoundry : ((l + w > RightBoundry) ? RightBoundry - w : l);
t = (t < TopBoundry) ? TopBoundry : ((t + h > BottomBoundry) ? BottomBoundry - h : t);

m_control.Left = l;
m_control.Top = t;

if (holdL != l || holdT != t)
return;//we have reached the border so discontinue

//Now move any dummy objects
foreach (DummySelect ds in DummySelectList)
{
l = ds.dummyCtl.Left;
t = ds.dummyCtl.Top;
w = ds.dummyCtl.Width;
h = ds.dummyCtl.Height;

switch (ArrowDirection)
{
case (int)Keys.Left:
l = l - 1;
break;
case (int)Keys.Right:
l = l + 1;
break;
case (int)Keys.Up:
t = t - 1;
break;
case (int)Keys.Down:
t = t + 1;
break;
}

RightBoundry = objectContainer.Width + objectContainer.Left;
BottomBoundry = objectContainer.Height + objectContainer.Top;
LeftBoundry = objectContainer.Left;
TopBoundry = objectContainer.Top;

l = (l < LeftBoundry) ? LeftBoundry : ((l + w > RightBoundry) ? RightBoundry - w : l);
t = (t < TopBoundry) ? TopBoundry : ((t + h > BottomBoundry) ? BottomBoundry - h : t);

ds.dummyCtl.Left = l;
ds.dummyCtl.Top = t;
}

MoveHandles();
ShowHandles();
}

//Get an array of the controls that have a selection band
internal Control[] GetSelectedControls()
{
int controlCount = DummySelectList.Count;
if (m_control != null)//shouldnt be null if this function is called
controlCount++;

Control [] cArray = new Control[controlCount];
int i = 0;
foreach (DummySelect ds in DummySelectList)
{
cArray[i] = ds.dummyCtl;
i++;
}
if (m_control != null)//shouldnt be null if this function is called
cArray[i] = m_control;

return cArray;
}
#endregion

#region PRIVATE METHODS

// Attaches a pick box to the sender Control
private void SelectControl(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
if ((Control)sender == m_control)
return;//user clicked on the same control

if (Control.ModifierKeys == Keys.Control)
RemoveDummyFromList((Control)sender);
else
RemoveDummyFromList(null);//null will remove all dummy's

if (m_control is Control)
{
m_control.Cursor = oldCursor;

//Remove event any pre-existing event handlers appended by this class
m_control.MouseDown -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseDown);
m_control.MouseMove -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseMove);
m_control.MouseUp -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseUp);

//Is the Control Key down?
if (Control.ModifierKeys == Keys.Control)
{
//("Control Key is down");
//Then add the control that was selected to the dummy list
//and put off-color labels on it
DummySelect ds = new DummySelect();
ds.dummyCtl = m_control;
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
{
ds.lbl[i] = new Label();
ds.lbl[i].TabIndex = i;
ds.lbl[i].FlatStyle = 0;
ds.lbl[i].BorderStyle = BorderStyle.FixedSingle;
ds.lbl[i].BackColor = Color.CadetBlue;
ds.lbl[i].Text = "";
ds.dummyCtl.Parent.Controls.Add(ds.lbl[i]);
ds.lbl[i].BringToFront();
ds.lbl[i].Visible = true;
}

DummySelectList.Add(ds);
}

m_control = null;
}

m_control = (Control)sender;

//Add event handlers for moving the selected control around
m_control.MouseDown += new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseDown);
m_control.MouseMove += new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseMove);
m_control.MouseUp += new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseUp);
m_control.BringToFront();

//Add sizing handles to Control's container (Form or PictureBox)
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
{
m_control.Parent.Controls.Add(lbl[i]);
lbl[i].BringToFront();
}

//Position sizing handles around Control
MoveHandles();

//Display sizing handles
ShowHandles();

oldCursor = m_control.Cursor;
m_control.Cursor = Cursors.Hand;
}

private void RemoveDummyFromList(Control control)
{
if (control != null)
{
DummySelect dsToRemove = null;
foreach (DummySelect ds in DummySelectList)
{
if (ds.dummyCtl == control)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
ds.dummyCtl.Parent.Controls.Remove(ds.lbl[i]);

dsToRemove = ds;
break;
}
}
if (dsToRemove != null)
DummySelectList.Remove(dsToRemove);
}
else// if control is null then remove all
{
foreach (DummySelect ds in DummySelectList)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
ds.dummyCtl.Parent.Controls.Remove(ds.lbl[i]);
}
DummySelectList.Clear();
}
}

public void Remove()
{
HideHandles();
m_control.Cursor = oldCursor;
}

private void ShowHandles()
{
if (m_control != null)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
{
lbl[i].Visible = true;
}

//Show any dummy's labels
foreach (DummySelect ds in DummySelectList)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
{
ds.lbl[i].Visible = true;
}
}
}
}

private void HideHandles()
{
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
{
lbl[i].Visible = false;
}

//Hide any dummy's labels
foreach (DummySelect ds in DummySelectList)
{
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
{
ds.lbl[i].Visible = false;
}
}
}

private void MoveHandles()
{
int sX = m_control.Left - BOX_SIZE;
int sY = m_control.Top - BOX_SIZE;
int sW = m_control.Width + BOX_SIZE;
int sH = m_control.Height + BOX_SIZE;
int hB = BOX_SIZE / 2;
int[] arrPosX = new int[] {sX+hB, sX + sW / 2, sX + sW-hB, sX + sW-hB,
sX + sW-hB, sX + sW / 2, sX+hB, sX+hB};
int[] arrPosY = new int[] {sY+hB, sY+hB, sY+hB, sY + sH / 2, sY + sH-hB,
sY + sH-hB, sY + sH-hB, sY + sH / 2};
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
lbl[i].SetBounds(arrPosX[i], arrPosY[i], BOX_SIZE, BOX_SIZE);

foreach (DummySelect ds in DummySelectList)
{
sX = ds.dummyCtl.Left - BOX_SIZE;
sY = ds.dummyCtl.Top - BOX_SIZE;
sW = ds.dummyCtl.Width + BOX_SIZE;
sH = ds.dummyCtl.Height + BOX_SIZE;
hB = BOX_SIZE / 2;
arrPosX = new int[] {sX+hB, sX + sW / 2, sX + sW-hB, sX + sW-hB, sX + sW-hB, sX + sW / 2, sX+hB, sX+hB};
arrPosY = new int[] {sY+hB, sY+hB, sY+hB, sY + sH / 2, sY + sH-hB, sY + sH-hB, sY + sH-hB, sY + sH / 2};
for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
ds.lbl[i].SetBounds(arrPosX[i], arrPosY[i], BOX_SIZE, BOX_SIZE);
}
}

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// MOUSE EVENTS THAT IMPLEMENT SIZING OF THE PICKED CONTROL
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

// Store control position and size when mouse button pushed over
// any sizing handle
private void lbl_MouseDown(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
dragging = true;
startl = m_control.Left;
startt = m_control.Top;
startw = m_control.Width;
starth = m_control.Height;
HideHandles();
}

// Size the picked control in accordance with sizing handle being dragged
// 0 1 2
// 7 3
// 6 5 4
private void lbl_MouseMove(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
int l = m_control.Left;
int w = m_control.Width;
int t = m_control.Top;
int h = m_control.Height;
int RightBoundry = objectContainer.Width + objectContainer.Left;
int BottomBoundry = objectContainer.Height + objectContainer.Top;
int LeftBoundry = objectContainer.Left;
int TopBoundry = objectContainer.Top;

if (dragging)
{
switch (((Label)sender).TabIndex)
{
case 0: // Dragging top-left sizing box
if (t >= TopBoundry)
{
t = startt + e.Y < startt + starth - MIN_SIZE ? startt + e.Y : startt + starth - MIN_SIZE;
h = startt + starth - m_control.Top;
}
if (l >= LeftBoundry)
{
l = startl + e.X < startl + startw - MIN_SIZE ? startl + e.X : startl + startw - MIN_SIZE;
w = startl + startw - m_control.Left;
}
break;
case 1: // Dragging top-center sizing box
if (t >= TopBoundry)
{
t = startt + e.Y < startt + starth - MIN_SIZE ? startt + e.Y : startt + starth - MIN_SIZE;
h = startt + starth - m_control.Top;
}
break;
case 2: // Dragging top-right sizing box
if (l + (startw + e.X) < RightBoundry)
w = startw + e.X > MIN_SIZE ? startw + e.X : MIN_SIZE;
if (t >= TopBoundry)
{
t = startt + e.Y < startt + starth - MIN_SIZE ? startt + e.Y : startt + starth - MIN_SIZE;
h = startt + starth - m_control.Top;
}
break;
case 3: // Dragging right-middle sizing box
if (l + (startw + e.X) < RightBoundry)
w = startw + e.X > MIN_SIZE ? startw + e.X : MIN_SIZE;
break;
case 4: // Dragging right-bottom sizing box
if (l + (startw + e.X) < RightBoundry)
w = startw + e.X > MIN_SIZE ? startw + e.X : MIN_SIZE;
if (t + (starth + e.Y) < BottomBoundry)
h = starth + e.Y > MIN_SIZE ? starth + e.Y : MIN_SIZE;
break;
case 5: // Dragging center-bottom sizing box
if (t + (starth + e.Y) < BottomBoundry)
h = starth + e.Y > MIN_SIZE ? starth + e.Y : MIN_SIZE;
break;
case 6: // Dragging left-bottom sizing box
if (l >= LeftBoundry)
{
l = startl + e.X < startl + startw - MIN_SIZE ? startl + e.X : startl + startw - MIN_SIZE;
w = startl + startw - m_control.Left;
}
if (t + (starth + e.Y) <= BottomBoundry)
h = starth + e.Y > MIN_SIZE ? starth + e.Y : MIN_SIZE;
break;
case 7: // Dragging left-middle sizing box
if (l >= LeftBoundry)
{
l = startl + e.X < startl + startw - MIN_SIZE ? startl + e.X : startl + startw - MIN_SIZE;
w = startl + startw - m_control.Left;
}
break;
}

l = (l < LeftBoundry) ? LeftBoundry : l;
t = (t < TopBoundry) ? TopBoundry : t;
m_control.SetBounds(l, t, w, h);
}
}

// Display sizing handles around picked control once sizing has completed
private void lbl_MouseUp(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
dragging = false;
MoveHandles();
ShowHandles();
}

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
// MOUSE EVENTS THAT MOVE THE PICKED CONTROL AROUND THE FORM
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

// Get mouse pointer starting position on mouse down and hide sizing handles
private void ctl_MouseDown(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
dragging = true;
startx = e.X;
starty = e.Y;
HideHandles();
}

// Reposition the dragged control
private void ctl_MouseMove(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
if (dragging)
{
int l = m_control.Left + e.X - startx;
int holdL = l;
int t = m_control.Top + e.Y - starty;
int holdT = t;
int w = m_control.Width;
int h = m_control.Height;

int RightBoundry = objectContainer.Width + objectContainer.Left;
int BottomBoundry = objectContainer.Height + objectContainer.Top;
int LeftBoundry = objectContainer.Left;
int TopBoundry = objectContainer.Top;

l = (l < LeftBoundry) ? LeftBoundry : ((l + w > RightBoundry) ? RightBoundry - w : l);
t = (t < TopBoundry) ? TopBoundry : ((t + h > BottomBoundry) ? BottomBoundry - h : t);

m_control.Left = l;
m_control.Top = t;

if (holdL != l || holdT != t)
return;//we have reached the border so discontinue

foreach (DummySelect ds in DummySelectList)
{
l = ds.dummyCtl.Left + e.X - startx;
t = ds.dummyCtl.Top + e.Y - starty;
w = ds.dummyCtl.Width;
h = ds.dummyCtl.Height;

RightBoundry = objectContainer.Width + objectContainer.Left;
BottomBoundry = objectContainer.Height + objectContainer.Top;
LeftBoundry = objectContainer.Left;
TopBoundry = objectContainer.Top;

l = (l < LeftBoundry) ? LeftBoundry : ((l + w > RightBoundry) ? RightBoundry - w : l);
t = (t < TopBoundry) ? TopBoundry : ((t + h > BottomBoundry) ? BottomBoundry - h : t);

ds.dummyCtl.Left = l;
ds.dummyCtl.Top = t;
}
}
}

// Display sizing handles around picked control once dragging has completed
private void ctl_MouseUp(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
{
dragging = false;
MoveHandles();
ShowHandles();
}
#endregion
}
}

2.00/5 (1 vote)

PickBox and Pictureboxes

Juwi_uk

6:04 4 Mar '09

Hi all.

I have the great PickBox class working in my VB Project but I have one problem.

When expanding my picturebox the box scales but the image doesn't.

I had a similar command then did work before I moved to PickBox that basically did:

picturebox1.SizeMode = PictureBoxSizeMode.StretchImage

but sizemode isn't available as attribute of m_Control.

Can anyone advise at how I can get the image to scale too?

Thanks in advance.

Julian

Multiple controls drag n drop. [modified]

VB 8.0

2:45 20 Feb '09

Hi Jim,

Thanks for your great code . I try to create a selections for multiple controls when ctrl +click . i am creating instances for the pickbox and i am changing the color of label controls to identify .

But how can i delete the instance again after ctrl +click once again on the selected control .I am not able to identify the instance of the pickbox for new multiple controls . so i am not able to unwire it as possible . Those instances are appearing on the screen which is not exaclty like in Visual Studio 2005 .

I am not identify the instance of pickbox and not able to dispose the instance causing the selection to stay on top when i click the control.

 Private Sub ShowNewSelection(ByVal sender As Object)
        Try
            Dim pickselect As New pickbox()
            pickselect .SelectControl(sender, New EventArgs)
        Catch ex As Exception

        End Try
    End Sub

on ctrl+ click on the control/s.

I am trying to create exactly like in Visual Studio 2005.

I struck here .

Any help ??

modified on Friday, February 20, 2009 7:57 AM

Greate code

ammar79

23:04 26 Jan '09

This is just what i was looking for. I just added a few events so that i could show the current size and location of the control that was moved. Thanks!
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink

Adaptation for multiple selection (more than one selected control). [modified]

Diego Osorio

17:43 26 Dec '08

Hi all. Thank you Jim for your great work Wink

I'm developing a designer that use your code. But, I had a little issue: I need to select more than one control, to allow resizing and moving in group.

I send your code with my own implementation for that multiple selection (C#, VS 2005). I hope this help to someone (sorry for the long message):


    /// [summary]
    /// This class implements sizing and moving functions for
    ///	runtime editing of graphic controls
    /// [/summary]
    public class PickBox
    {
        //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
        // PRIVATE CONSTANTS AND VARIABLES
        //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

        private const int BOX_SIZE = 8;
        private Color BOX_COLOR = Color.White;
        // private ContainerControl m_container;
        private Label[] lbl = new Label[8];
        private int startl;
        private int startt;
        private int startw;
        private int starth;
        private int startx;
        private int starty;
        private bool dragging;
        private bool moved;
        private Cursor[] arrArrow = new Cursor[] {Cursors.SizeNWSE, Cursors.SizeNS,
			Cursors.SizeNESW, Cursors.SizeWE, Cursors.SizeNWSE, Cursors.SizeNS,
			Cursors.SizeNESW, Cursors.SizeWE};

        private const int MIN_SIZE = 20;

        //
        // Constructor creates 8 sizing handles & wires mouse events
        // to each that implement sizing functions
        //
        public PickBox()
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
            {
                lbl[i] = new Label();
                lbl[i].TabIndex = i;
                lbl[i].FlatStyle = 0;
                lbl[i].BorderStyle = BorderStyle.FixedSingle;
                lbl[i].BackColor = BOX_COLOR;
                lbl[i].Cursor = arrArrow[i];
                lbl[i].Text = "";
                lbl[i].BringToFront();
                lbl[i].MouseDown += new MouseEventHandler(this.lbl_MouseDown);
                lbl[i].MouseMove += new MouseEventHandler(this.lbl_MouseMove);
                lbl[i].MouseUp += new MouseEventHandler(this.lbl_MouseUp);
            }
        }

        //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
        // PUBLIC METHODS
        //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

        //
        // Wires a Click event handler to the passed Control
        // that attaches a pick box to the control when it is clicked
        //
        public void WireControl(Control ctl)
        {
            ctl.Click += new EventHandler(this.SelectControl);
        }

        private Hashtable SelectedControlCursors = new Hashtable();

        private List[Control] _SelectedControls = new List[Control]();
        /// [summary]
        /// Get the current selected controls.
        /// [/summary]
        public List[Control] SelectedControls
        {
            get
            {
                return _SelectedControls;
            }
        }

        /// [summary]
        /// Deselect all controls.
        /// [/summary]
        public void ClearSelection()
        {
            while (SelectedControls.Count > 0)
            {
                RemoveControl(SelectedControls[0]);
            }
            HideHandles();
        }

        /// [summary]
        /// Return true if the current selection has no controls.
        /// [/summary]
        private bool IsEmptySelection
        {
            get
            {
                return SelectedControls.Count == 0;
            }
        }

        /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
        // PRIVATE METHODS
        /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

        /// [summary]
        /// Add or remove a control from the current selection.
        /// [/summary]
        private void AddOrRemoveControl(Control c)
        {
            if (SelectedControls.Contains(c))
                RemoveControl(c);
            else
                AddControl(c);
        }

        private void AddControl(Control c)
        {
            //Add event handlers for moving the current selected controls around.
            c.MouseDown += new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseDown);
            c.MouseMove += new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseMove);
            c.MouseUp += new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseUp);

            // Remove click handler
            c.Click -= new EventHandler(this.SelectControl);

            // Register the current cursor of the added control for restoring it later.
            SelectedControlCursors.Add(c, c.Cursor);

            // Change cursor of the control to the "moving" cursor.
            c.Cursor = Cursors.SizeAll;

            // Add to current selection
            SelectedControls.Add(c);
        }

        private void RemoveControl(Control c)
        {
            // Restore cursor of the control.
            c.Cursor = (Cursor)SelectedControlCursors[c];
            SelectedControlCursors.Remove(c);

            //Remove event any pre-existing event handlers appended by this class
            c.MouseDown -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseDown);
            c.MouseMove -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseMove);
            c.MouseUp -= new MouseEventHandler(this.ctl_MouseUp);

            // Restore click handler
            c.Click += new EventHandler(this.SelectControl);

            // Remove from current selection
            SelectedControls.Remove(c);
        }

        /// [summary]
        /// Get the current selection boundary, on an empty rectangle if the current
        /// selection is also empty.
        /// [/summary]
        private Rectangle GetSelectionBounds()
        {
            if (SelectedControls.Count == 0)
            {
                return Rectangle.Empty;
            }

            int l = int.MaxValue;
            int r = int.MinValue;
            int t = int.MaxValue;
            int b = int.MinValue;
            foreach (Control c in SelectedControls)
            {
                l = Math.Min(l, c.Left);
                r = Math.Max(r, c.Right);
                t = Math.Min(t, c.Top);
                b = Math.Max(b, c.Bottom);
            }
            return new Rectangle(l, t, r - l, b - t);
        }

        //
        // Attaches a pick box to the sender Control
        //
        private void SelectControl(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            Control c = (Control)sender;
            
            AddOrRemoveControl(c);

            if (IsEmptySelection)
            {
                HideHandles();
                return;
            }

            //Add sizing handles to Control's container (Form or PictureBox)
            Control container = SelectedControls[0].Parent;
            for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
            {
                if (lbl[i].Parent == null) container.Controls.Add(lbl[i]);
                lbl[i].BringToFront();
            }

            //Position sizing handles around Control
            MoveHandles();

            //Display sizing handles
            ShowHandles();
        }

        private void ShowHandles()
        {
            if (!IsEmptySelection)
            {
                for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
                {
                    lbl[i].Visible = true;
                }
            }
        }

        private void HideHandles()
        {
            for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
            {
                lbl[i].Visible = false;
            }
        }

        private void MoveHandles()
        {
            Rectangle bounds = GetSelectionBounds();

            int sX = bounds.Left - BOX_SIZE;
            int sY = bounds.Top - BOX_SIZE;
            int sW = bounds.Width + BOX_SIZE;
            int sH = bounds.Height + BOX_SIZE;
            int hB = BOX_SIZE / 2;
            int[] arrPosX = new int[] {sX+hB, sX + sW / 2, sX + sW-hB, sX + sW-hB,
			sX + sW-hB, sX + sW / 2, sX+hB, sX+hB};
            int[] arrPosY = new int[] {sY+hB, sY+hB, sY+hB, sY + sH / 2, sY + sH-hB,
			sY + sH-hB, sY + sH-hB, sY + sH / 2};
            for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
                lbl[i].SetBounds(arrPosX[i], arrPosY[i], BOX_SIZE, BOX_SIZE);
        }

        /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
        // MOUSE EVENTS THAT IMPLEMENT SIZING OF THE PICKED CONTROL
        /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

        //
        // Store control position and size when mouse button pushed over
        // any sizing handle
        //
        private void lbl_MouseDown(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
        {
            dragging = true;
            Rectangle bounds = GetSelectionBounds();
            startl = bounds.Left;
            startt = bounds.Top;
            startw = bounds.Width;
            starth = bounds.Height;
            HideHandles();
        }

        //
        // Size the picked control in accordance with sizing handle being dragged
        //	0   1   2
        //  7       3
        //  6   5   4
        //
        private void lbl_MouseMove(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
        {
            Rectangle bounds = GetSelectionBounds();
            int l = bounds.Left;
            int w = bounds.Width;
            int t = bounds.Top;
            int h = bounds.Height;
            if (dragging)
            {
                switch (((Label)sender).TabIndex)
                {
                    case 0: // Dragging top-left sizing box
                        l = startl + e.X < startl + startw - MIN_SIZE ? startl + e.X : startl + startw - MIN_SIZE;
                        t = startt + e.Y < startt + starth - MIN_SIZE ? startt + e.Y : startt + starth - MIN_SIZE;
                        w = startl + startw - bounds.Left;
                        h = startt + starth - bounds.Top;
                        break;
                    case 1: // Dragging top-center sizing box
                        t = startt + e.Y < startt + starth - MIN_SIZE ? startt + e.Y : startt + starth - MIN_SIZE;
                        h = startt + starth - bounds.Top;
                        break;
                    case 2: // Dragging top-right sizing box
                        w = startw + e.X > MIN_SIZE ? startw + e.X : MIN_SIZE;
                        t = startt + e.Y < startt + starth - MIN_SIZE ? startt + e.Y : startt + starth - MIN_SIZE;
                        h = startt + starth - bounds.Top;
                        break;
                    case 3: // Dragging right-middle sizing box
                        w = startw + e.X > MIN_SIZE ? startw + e.X : MIN_SIZE;
                        break;
                    case 4: // Dragging right-bottom sizing box
                        w = startw + e.X > MIN_SIZE ? startw + e.X : MIN_SIZE;
                        h = starth + e.Y > MIN_SIZE ? starth + e.Y : MIN_SIZE;
                        break;
                    case 5: // Dragging center-bottom sizing box
                        h = starth + e.Y > MIN_SIZE ? starth + e.Y : MIN_SIZE;
                        break;
                    case 6: // Dragging left-bottom sizing box
                        l = startl + e.X < startl + startw - MIN_SIZE ? startl + e.X : startl + startw - MIN_SIZE;
                        w = startl + startw - bounds.Left;
                        h = starth + e.Y > MIN_SIZE ? starth + e.Y : MIN_SIZE;
                        break;
                    case 7: // Dragging left-middle sizing box
                        l = startl + e.X < startl + startw - MIN_SIZE ? startl + e.X : startl + startw - MIN_SIZE;
                        w = startl + startw - bounds.Left;
                        break;
                }
                l = (l < 0) ? 0 : l;
                t = (t < 0) ? 0 : t;

                ChangeSelectionBounds(l, t, w, h);
            }
        }

        /// [summary]
        /// Change the current selection bounds (therefore, changing positions and sizes of each control
        /// in the selection).
        /// [/summary]
        private void ChangeSelectionBounds(int l, int t, int w, int h)
        {
            Rectangle oldB = GetSelectionBounds();

            int deltaX = l - oldB.Left;
            int deltaY = t - oldB.Top;
            int deltaW = w - oldB.Width;
            int deltaH = h - oldB.Height;

            // Change location and size of each select control.
            foreach(Control c in SelectedControls)
            {
                c.SetBounds(c.Left + deltaX, c.Top + deltaY, c.Width + deltaW, c.Height + deltaH);
            }
        }

        //
        // Display sizing handles around picked control once sizing has completed
        //
        private void lbl_MouseUp(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
        {
            dragging = false;
            MoveHandles();
            ShowHandles();
        }

        /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
        // MOUSE EVENTS THAT MOVE THE PICKED CONTROL AROUND THE FORM
        /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

        //
        // Get mouse pointer starting position on mouse down and hide sizing handles
        //
        private void ctl_MouseDown(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
        {
            dragging = true;
            moved = false;
            startx = e.X;
            starty = e.Y;
            HideHandles();
        }

        //
        // Reposition the dragged control
        // (Updated for global reposition -on each selected control)
        //
        private void ctl_MouseMove(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
        {
            if (dragging)
            {
                int deltaX = e.X - startx;
                int deltaY = e.Y - starty;

                Rectangle bounds = GetSelectionBounds();
                Control parent = SelectedControls[0].Parent;

                if (bounds.Left + deltaX < 0)
                    deltaX = bounds.Left * -1;
                if (bounds.Top + deltaY < 0)
                    deltaY = bounds.Top * -1;
                if (bounds.Right + deltaX > parent.ClientRectangle.Width)
                    deltaX = parent.ClientRectangle.Width - bounds.Right;
                if (bounds.Bottom + deltaY > parent.ClientRectangle.Height)
                    deltaY = parent.ClientRectangle.Height - bounds.Bottom;

                foreach (Control c in SelectedControls)
                {
                    c.Location = new Point(c.Left + deltaX, c.Top + deltaY);
                }

                if (deltaX != 0 || deltaY != 0)
                {
                    moved = true;
                }
            }
        }

        //
        // Display sizing handles around picked control once dragging has completed
        //
        private void ctl_MouseUp(object sender, MouseEventArgs e)
        {
            if (dragging && !moved) RemoveControl((Control)sender);

            dragging = false;
            moved = false;
            MoveHandles();
            ShowHandles();
        }
    }

Regards,

Diego

modified on Friday, December 26, 2008 10:49 PM

Re: Adaptation for multiple selection (more than one selected control).

ammar79

23:12 26 Jan '09

Hi Diego, private List[Control] _SelectedControls = new List[Control](); Invalid token '[' in class, struct, or interface member declaration I am getting this error in VS2008. Can you help me, because i liked the multiple selection idea. Regards, Ammar
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Re: Adaptation for multiple selection (more than one selected control).

Diego Osorio

2:23 27 Jan '09

Hi Ammar, please change "[" and "]" with "<" and ">". I wrote this way because the browser take my code as HTML when my post is shown. Now I know how to do it better In the example: private List[Control] _SelectedControls = new List[Control](); after you change it: private List<Control> _SelectedControls = new List<Control>(); Regards, Diego
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Dragging between containers

dkalyan

19:30 12 May '08

Thanks for a great piece of software. Would it be possible to change it so that a dragged control can be moved between containers, for example the label could be dropped into the panel or the panel into another panel?
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Great Work BUT !!!!

zooooooz

3:11 10 May '08

thanks for your great work, but the problem is adding a Container control like a panel (level2) into a panel with another controls (level1), and then wiring the children controls of this panel. this way, when you click on a level1 control and then clicking on level2 control, you'll see that you have 2 controls selected.... !! got what i mean ? ziad
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Resize Control @ Runtime

ferozasi

13:00 22 Apr '08

hi, 1. how can i put the Mouse_Right Click event for selection of a control while its now selecting on left mouse click i want to use Right mouse click for resize a control.. 2. and how to put the control resize option under Tabs , pannel or subcontrols MFS
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Moving with keyboard Question

blakadm

0:53 14 Apr '08

how do i implement this class using keyboard to move controls..any idea guys???thanks...
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Re: Moving with keyboard Question

jazzyvishal

20:51 21 Jul '08

Create a Keydown event under select Control method.

m_control.KeyDown += new KeyEventHandler(m_control_KeyDown);

and add this menthod .

private void m_control_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
{
//left = 37,Up= 38,right= 39,down=40;
if (e.KeyValue == 37)
{
int l = m_control.Left - 1;
int t = m_control.Top;
int w = m_control.Width;
int h = m_control.Height;
l = (l < 0) ? 0 : ((l + w > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width) ?
m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width - w : l);
t = (t < 0) ? 0 : ((t + h > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height) ?
m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height - h : t);
m_control.Left = l;
m_control.Top = t;
MoveHandles();

}
if (e.KeyValue == 38)
{
int l = m_control.Left;
int t = m_control.Top - 1;
int w = m_control.Width;
int h = m_control.Height;
l = (l < 0) ? 0 : ((l + w > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width) ?
m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width - w : l);
t = (t < 0) ? 0 : ((t + h > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height) ?
m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height - h : t);
m_control.Left = l;
m_control.Top = t;
MoveHandles();

}
if (e.KeyValue == 39)
{
int l = m_control.Left + 1;
int t = m_control.Top;
int w = m_control.Width;
int h = m_control.Height;
l = (l < 0) ? 0 : ((l + w > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width) ?
m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width - w : l);
t = (t < 0) ? 0 : ((t + h > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height) ?
m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height - h : t);
m_control.Left = l;
m_control.Top = t;
MoveHandles();

}
if (e.KeyValue == 40)
{
int l = m_control.Left;
int t = m_control.Top + 1;
int w = m_control.Width;
int h = m_control.Height;
l = (l < 0) ? 0 : ((l + w > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width) ?
m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width - w : l);
t = (t < 0) ? 0 : ((t + h > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height) ?
m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height - h : t);
m_control.Left = l;
m_control.Top = t;
MoveHandles();

}
}

This should work fine.

I have used 1 px as a movement of the control when keyboard arrows are moved.

how labels are selected which are created at button click event

jassi4u

20:43 2 Aug '07

when i created a label at runtime through button click .....although they are also controls but cannot b selected........can anybody help me
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Nice Article!!!

Irfan Kothari

1:32 11 Apr '07

Hello sir, Thanks a lot, i got exactly what i want.. Really a great article.. Thanks, Irfan "Take Care Not Chances"
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how about rotating ?

The Code Guru

14:25 19 Jan '07

how about impleminting a rotating of the control ? can it be done and how ? Imagination is more important than knowledge... {Albert Einstein}
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Re: how about rotating ?

JK Rajesh

19:59 30 Jan '07

This is exactly what i need too..... i need to place the sizing handles at different rotation angles and add an extra sizing handle to rotate the control....if u hav any code for that then pls do help. Thank you
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Re: how about rotating ?

The Code Guru

21:14 30 Jan '07

i do have some , but i cant give it out since its in commercial product Imagination is more important than knowledge... {Albert Einstein}
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VS 2005

NewbieDude

1:59 7 Feb '06

This project does not run in visual studio 2005, it says it has problems during the conversion process, any help on this issue?
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Re: VS 2005

shitfish

6:03 18 Aug '06

open the csproj file in a text editor and fill in the empty name="" attribute, then it will convert.
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UserControls

dchurch24

1:04 24 Jan '06

Hi, I've been experimenting with this to try and get it to support custom made UserControls, but to no avail. Are there any pointers you can give me?
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Additional code for handling child controls

Ronit H

5:01 31 Oct '05

Hi, The sample code does not work for child controls inside panels etc. Therefore, I have added the following recursive function which maps all controls in a form: public void WireControls(Control _Control) { if (!(_Control is Form)) WireControl(_Control); foreach (Control c in _Control.Controls) { WireControls(c); } } Ronit
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Re: Additional code for handling child controls

heckknow

16:54 2 Jan '07

Anyone know the VC++ 2005 equivalent of Ronit's code?

I've managed to convert Jim Korovessis excellent Simple Runtime Control Sizing and Dragging Class over to VC++ but it doesn't work (builds and runs fine but doesn't show the sizing grab handles). It took me about half a day to complete the conversion.

I think it's because my controls are inside another control. So, I wanted to add Ronit's code to see if that's the case. But VC++ is complaining error C2275 when I changed:

if (!(_Control is Form))

to

if (_Control != Form)

It said 'System::Windows::Forms::Form' is illegal use of this type as an expression. Does anyone know? Thanks.

VB.NET code for us non-C# folks :)

mpemberton

10:03 27 Oct '05

I don't take credit for all of this translation. The reasonably good conversion tool by Kamal Patel[^] did most of it, but I did the rest (and tested). Enjoy...

If anyone else has any additional tweaks to share, such as multi-select for block moving, deleting controls, etc, that would be lovely. I'm just now getting started with a new project and this code was EXACTLY what I was looking for! Thank you very much for sharing your expertise!


Public Class PickBox
    '/ summary
    '/ This class implements sizing and moving functions for
    '/	runtime editing of graphic controls
    '/ summary
    '////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    ' PRIVATE CONSTANTS AND VARIABLES
    '////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    Private Const BOX_SIZE As Integer = 8
    Private BOX_COLOR As Color = Color.White
    Private m_container As ContainerControl
    Private m_control As Control
    Private lbl(8) As Label
    Private startl As Integer
    Private startt As Integer
    Private startw As Integer
    Private starth As Integer
    Private startx As Integer
    Private starty As Integer
    Private dragging As Boolean
    Private arrArrow() As Cursor = New Cursor() {Cursors.SizeNWSE, Cursors.SizeNS, _
Cursors.SizeNESW, Cursors.SizeWE, Cursors.SizeNWSE, Cursors.SizeNS, _
Cursors.SizeNESW, Cursors.SizeWE}

    Private oldCursor As Cursor

    Private Const MIN_SIZE As Integer = 20

    '
    ' Constructor creates 8 sizing handles & wires mouse events
    ' to each that implement sizing functions
    '
    Public Sub New()
        Dim i As Integer
        For i = 0 To 8 - 1 Step i + 1
            lbl(i) = New Label
            lbl(i).TabIndex = i
            lbl(i).FlatStyle = 0
            lbl(i).BorderStyle = BorderStyle.FixedSingle
            lbl(i).BackColor = BOX_COLOR
            lbl(i).Cursor = arrArrow(i)
            lbl(i).Text = ""
            lbl(i).BringToFront()
            AddHandler lbl(i).MouseDown, AddressOf Me.lbl_MouseDown
            AddHandler lbl(i).MouseMove, AddressOf Me.lbl_MouseMove
            AddHandler lbl(i).MouseUp, AddressOf Me.lbl_MouseUp
        Next
    End Sub

    '////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    ' PUBLIC METHODS
    '////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    '
    ' Wires a Click event handler to the passed Control
    ' that attaches a pick box to the control when it is clicked
    '
    Public Sub WireControl(ByVal ctl As Control)
        AddHandler ctl.Click, AddressOf SelectControl
    End Sub


    '///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    ' PRIVATE METHODS
    '///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    '
    ' Attaches a pick box to the sender Control
    '
    Private Sub SelectControl(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)

        If TypeOf m_control Is Control Then
            m_control.Cursor = oldCursor

            'Remove event any pre-existing event handlers appended by this class
            RemoveHandler m_control.MouseDown, AddressOf Me.ctl_MouseDown
            RemoveHandler m_control.MouseMove, AddressOf Me.ctl_MouseMove
            RemoveHandler m_control.MouseUp, AddressOf Me.ctl_MouseUp

            m_control = Nothing
        End If

        m_control = CType(sender, Control)
        'Add event handlers for moving the selected control around
        AddHandler m_control.MouseDown, AddressOf Me.ctl_MouseDown
        AddHandler m_control.MouseMove, AddressOf Me.ctl_MouseMove
        AddHandler m_control.MouseUp, AddressOf Me.ctl_MouseUp
        AddHandler m_control.Parent.Click, AddressOf Me.Parent_Click

        'Add sizing handles to Control's container (Form or PictureBox)
        Dim i As Integer
        For i = 0 To 8 - 1 Step i + 1
            m_control.Parent.Controls.Add(lbl(i))
            lbl(i).BringToFront()
        Next

        'Position sizing handles around Control
        MoveHandles()

        'Display sizing handles
        ShowHandles()

        oldCursor = m_control.Cursor
        m_control.Cursor = Cursors.SizeAll

    End Sub

    Public Sub Remove()
        HideHandles()
        m_control.Cursor = oldCursor
    End Sub

    Private Sub ShowHandles()
        If Not m_control Is Nothing Then
            Dim i As Integer
            For i = 0 To 8 - 1 Step i + 1
                lbl(i).Visible = True
            Next
        End If
    End Sub

    Private Sub HideHandles()
        Dim i As Integer
        For i = 0 To 8 - 1 Step i + 1
            lbl(i).Visible = False
        Next
    End Sub

    Private Sub MoveHandles()
        Dim sX As Integer = m_control.Left - BOX_SIZE
        Dim sY As Integer = m_control.Top - BOX_SIZE
        Dim sW As Integer = m_control.Width + BOX_SIZE
        Dim sH As Integer = m_control.Height + BOX_SIZE
        Dim hB As Integer = BOX_SIZE / 2
        Dim arrPosX = New Integer() {sX + hB, sX + sW / 2, sX + sW - hB, _
            sX + sW - hB, sX + sW - hB, sX + sW / 2, sX + hB, sX + hB}

        Dim arrPosY = New Integer() {sY + hB, sY + hB, sY + hB, sY + sH / 2, _
            sY + sH - hB, sY + sH - hB, sY + sH - hB, sY + sH / 2}

        Dim i As Integer
        For i = 0 To 8 - 1 Step i + 1
            lbl(i).SetBounds(arrPosX(i), arrPosY(i), BOX_SIZE, BOX_SIZE)
        Next
    End Sub

    '///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    ' MOUSE EVENTS THAT IMPLEMENT SIZING OF THE PICKED CONTROL
    '///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    '
    ' Store control position and size when mouse button pushed over
    ' any sizing handle
    '
    Private Sub lbl_MouseDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MouseEventArgs)
        dragging = True
        startl = m_control.Left
        startt = m_control.Top
        startw = m_control.Width
        starth = m_control.Height
        HideHandles()
    End Sub

    '
    ' Size the picked control in accordance with sizing handle being dragged
    '	0   1   2
    '   7       3
    '   6   5   4
    '
    Private Sub lbl_MouseMove(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MouseEventArgs)
        Dim l As Integer = m_control.Left
        Dim w As Integer = m_control.Width
        Dim t As Integer = m_control.Top
        Dim h As Integer = m_control.Height
        If dragging Then
            Select Case (CType(sender, Label)).TabIndex
                Case 0
                    ' Dragging top-left sizing box
                    If startl + e.X < startl + startw - MIN_SIZE Then
                        l = startl + e.X
                    Else
                        l = startl + startw - MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    If startt + e.Y < startt + starth - MIN_SIZE Then
                        t = startt + e.Y
                    Else
                        t = startt + starth - MIN_SIZE
                    End If

                    w = startl + startw - m_control.Left
                    h = startt + starth - m_control.Top
                    Exit Select
                Case 1
                    ' Dragging top-center sizing box
                    If startt + e.Y < startt + starth - MIN_SIZE Then
                        t = startt + e.Y
                    Else
                        t = startt + starth - MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    h = startt + starth - m_control.Top
                    Exit Select
                Case 2
                    ' Dragging top-right sizing box
                    If startw + e.X > MIN_SIZE Then
                        w = startw + e.X
                    Else
                        w = MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    If startt + e.Y < startt + starth - MIN_SIZE Then
                        t = startt + e.Y
                    Else
                        t = startt + starth - MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    h = startt + starth - m_control.Top
                    Exit Select
                Case 3
                    ' Dragging right-middle sizing box
                    If startw + e.X > MIN_SIZE Then
                        w = startw + e.X
                    Else
                        w = MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    Exit Select
                Case 4
                    ' Dragging right-bottom sizing box
                    If startw + e.X > MIN_SIZE Then
                        w = startw + e.X
                    Else
                        w = MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    If starth + e.Y > MIN_SIZE Then
                        h = starth + e.Y
                    Else
                        h = MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    Exit Select
                Case 5
                    ' Dragging center-bottom sizing box
                    If starth + e.Y > MIN_SIZE Then
                        h = starth + e.Y
                    Else
                        h = MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    Exit Select
                Case 6
                    ' Dragging left-bottom sizing box
                    If startl + e.X < startl + startw - MIN_SIZE Then
                        l = startl + e.X
                    Else
                        l = startl + startw - MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    w = startl + startw - m_control.Left
                    If starth + e.Y > MIN_SIZE Then
                        h = starth + e.Y
                    Else
                        h = MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    Exit Select
                Case 7
                    ' Dragging left-middle sizing box
                    If startl + e.X < startl + startw - MIN_SIZE Then
                        l = startl + e.X
                    Else
                        l = startl + startw - MIN_SIZE
                    End If
                    w = startl + startw - m_control.Left
                    Exit Select
            End Select
            If l < 0 Then
                l = 0
            Else
                l = l
            End If
            If t < 0 Then
                t = 0
            Else
                t = t
            End If
            m_control.SetBounds(l, t, w, h)
        End If
    End Sub

    '
    ' Display sizing handles around picked control once sizing has completed
    '
    Private Sub lbl_MouseUp(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MouseEventArgs)
        dragging = False
        MoveHandles()
        ShowHandles()
    End Sub

    '///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    ' MOUSE EVENTS THAT MOVE THE PICKED CONTROL AROUND THE FORM
    '///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    '
    ' Get mouse pointer starting position on mouse down and hide sizing handles
    '
    Private Sub ctl_MouseDown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MouseEventArgs)
        dragging = True
        startx = e.X
        starty = e.Y
        HideHandles()
    End Sub

    '
    ' Reposition the dragged control
    '
    Private Sub ctl_MouseMove(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MouseEventArgs)
        If dragging Then
            Dim l As Integer = m_control.Left + e.X - startx
            Dim t As Integer = m_control.Top + e.Y - starty
            Dim w As Integer = m_control.Width
            Dim h As Integer = m_control.Height
            If l < 0 Then
                l = 0
            Else
                If l + w > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width Then
                    l = m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Width - w
                Else
                    l = l
                End If
            End If
            If t < 0 Then
                t = 0
            Else
                If t + h > m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height Then
                    t = m_control.Parent.ClientRectangle.Height - h
                Else
                    t = t
                End If
            End If

            m_control.Left = l
            m_control.Top = t
        End If
    End Sub

    '
    ' Display sizing handles around picked control once dragging has completed
    '
    Private Sub ctl_MouseUp(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As MouseEventArgs)
        dragging = False
        MoveHandles()
        ShowHandles()
    End Sub

    Private Sub Parent_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
        Remove()
    End Sub
End Class

Mark

5.00/5 (2 votes)

Saving Layout

kumagKayo

18:06 22 Aug '05

Nice, I was also looking for this one, how bout saving layout, how would you go about doing that? would you use xml? para saaan naman ito
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink	3.80/5 (5 votes)

Suggestion

Carl Mercier

11:35 11 Jul '05

One feature that you could add would be the ability to double click on controls and change their text property. For example, double click on a label (or GroupBox) and be able to type in the Text property directly in the form. Whenever you have the time, of course Very nice piece of code that you have!
Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink	1.50/5 (2 votes)

Last Visit: 9:27 8 Nov '09 Last Update: 9:27 8 Nov '09

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