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IMPORTANT NOTICE: DockManager control is now obsolete and not supported. Please download the upgrade, DockPanel Suite, from sourceforge here.

Introduction

DockManager control is designed to achieve docking capability for MDI forms. It can be used to develop applications with same look and feel as Visual Studio .NET.

Complex hierarchies yet Simple Object Model

DockManager control mimics the user-interface style of drag and drop, dockable windows found within the Visual Studio .NET IDE. The screen shots show off the features:

The DockManager control maintains a very simple object model to achieve complex hierarchies. See the documentation for details.

Auto-Hide

DockManager has an auto-hide feature that enables valuable screen real estate to be preserved. In the screenshot below, all the tool windows are in auto-hide mode and the Solution Explorer tool window is currently being displayed:

Free drag and drop

At run time, the end-users can freely drag and drop windows to re-arrange to their preferred layout. The developer can limit this by simply setting some properties in Visual Studio IDE form designer.

Integration with the .NET framework and VS.NET

Working gracefully with other components is a very important factor all through the design of DockManager control.

At run time, the document window will be treated as a MDI form, so it gets all the MDI form�s features such as menu merge.

At design time, the control is fully supported by the Visual Studio .NET IDE. Most operations can be done by setting the properties in the form designer. Very few code need to be written.

Persistent to XML file

DockManager control can be persisted to XML file. By using this feature, the application can restore its screen layout every time it starts up. This is well demonstrated in the DockSample application.

Globalization design

DockManager control is designed to support multiple languages. Currently it�s available in English and simplified Chinese. To make localization to other language is very easy.

Terms and Conditions

DockManager control is provided as free software with source code provided. You can freely use it in your applications (commercial or non-commercial). Weifen Luo, The author of the control, owns the copyright of the control, and is NOT responsible for any damage in your application caused by using this control, directly or indirectly.

Weifen Luo will feel honored if his name appears somewhere in your applications using this control (about box, documentation, etc). He also welcomes all kinds of feedback (good or bad). Please feel free to contact him at: weifenluo@yahoo.com.

Credits and thankfulness

1. Phil Wright, Magic UI Library ( http://www.dotnetmagic.com/). The code of Win32 API declaration, drawing of drag-and-drop shadow frame, InertButton control is from the Magic UI Library (I added more design-time support to the InertButton control). Though the implementation is completely different, the class names DockManager, Content, ContentWindow, FloatWindow remains the same from the library.
2. JocobMVP, Moderator of http://www.windowsforms.com/, answered my question on how to obtain the control beneath the cursor, in the Control Development forum.
3. Mike Harsh and May Ji from Microsoft Windows Forms team. After I reported the bug to them, their fast response was very impressive. May Ji also helped to provide workarounds.
4. Those names mentioned in the Revision History who make suggestions or report the bugs.

Revision history

• 1.0.0.0

  01-Aug-2003 - First release.

• 1.1.0.0

  20-Aug-2003

  1. FIX: Workaround for the NativeWindow.AssignHandle/ReleaseHandle bug in .NET framework 1.1 by using Win32 API.
  2. FIX: Assigning null to ContentWindow.ActiveWindow now throws an exception when there is visible content.
  3. FIX: Added IsHidden property for content persisted into XML file.
• 1.2.0.0

  02-Sep-2003

  1. FIX (Suggestion from Roger J): Reduced the screen drag-and-drop flickers. Add old status for class DropTarget, and testing code for class DragHandler, DockManager and TabWindow. If same as old status, no drag frame needs to be drawn.
  2. CHG: Changed the design time property category to Docking. Modifications made in string resource file.
  3. NEW (Suggestion from Israeli0): Added CloseButton property to class Content.
  4. NEW: Added the properties: DockManager.AllowRedocking, FloatWindow.AllowRedocking, ContentWindow.AllowRedocking and Content.AllowRedocking.
• 1.2.1.0

  09-Sep-2003

  1. FIX (reported by adrian73): In DockWindow.OnAutoHide, assign a default value (400) in case of SystemParametersInfo API returns 0 for SPI_GETMOUSEHOVERTIME. The following setting value "0" to Timer.Interval will throw an exception.
  2. FIX (reported by Duane Hanes): Not properly dispose of ContentWindow
  3. FIX (reported by Chris Pels): Auto hide window position calculated incorrectly when DockManager control is not at position (0, 0). In DockManager.GetTabStripRectangle and DockManager.OnPaint, use Width/Height instead of Right/Bottom.

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ActiveDocumentChanged making problem ahsansharjeel 8:45 8 May '09   Hi there, The tab panel is great and working excellent at my end, except, the ActiveDocumentChanged event. It do not fires always when I use ctrl+tab key, but works excellent with mouse. Due to this problem, I am in great trouble, I have deployed two applications at client end using the same tab, but now problem rose. Actually on change of tab, I enable/disable different sets of buttons depending upon the type of screen. Please help me Regards Muhammad Sharjeel Ahsan :( Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 2.00/5 autosizing Dockpanel(urgent help) brindhakr 1:07 10 Apr '09   Hi, How to autosize dockpanel when the userform gets minimized and maximized in vb.net. Thanks, Brindha Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 1.00/5 Background Image?? Muammar© 21:51 25 Mar '09   Hey, excellent control but what's wrong with the BackgroundImage property and the BackColor?? All generalizations are wrong, including this one! (\ /) (O.o) (><) Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: Background Image?? Muammar© 0:12 27 Mar '09   Just found the answer and thought to let you know.. Apparently, the control was inherited from the Windows.From class and have the very same problem when it comes to setting background implementing some properties, to make it possible: 1. Make sure your dockPanel/mdi control have the RightToLeft property set to false 2. For DockPanel set the DocumentStyle property to SystemMdi 3. Set the back color and the background image using this: private void SetBackground() { foreach (Control c in this.Controls) { if (c is MdiClient && c.Name == "Your Form Name") { c.BackColor = //Your Color c.BackgroundImage = //Your Image } } } Cheers, All generalizations are wrong, including this one! (\ /) (O.o) (><) Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: Background Image?? miglou 10:31 15 Apr '09   hy great control. using latest version (2.3), if set documentstyle to systemmdi got error on opening a document window ... so the problem of background image continous ..... thank u very much 4 this coooool control Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Windowless ActiveX controls are not supported. StringDotEmpty 9:02 21 Mar '09   Unable to get the window handle for the '' control. Windowless ActiveX controls are not supported. @ DockContentHandler.cs:line 698 697 if (Form.Visible != visible) 698 Form.Visible = visible; Software Developer Jayzon Ragasa Baguio City, Philippines Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 4.00/5 Setting focus on active window from program GregP83 22:25 1 Mar '09   Let say I have 4 windows open in tabs and Window1 s active. I would like to set Window3 active - but I don't know how to do it. In example it is possible to chose "Window" from the tool bar and simply click on the "Document3". However I cannot track this event in code. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: Setting focus on active window from program GregP83 22:37 1 Mar '09   OK I got it: FindDocument(hereDocumentName).DockHandler.Activate(); Hehe, sorry to bother Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 5.00/5 way to disable close and implement it as hidding? agelospanagiotakis 5:16 22 Feb '09   Hi. Great Job! Is it possible to disable the closing of all forms and instead just hide the window closed? Thanks for your work Regards, Agelos Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 1.00/5 Invalid parent form - cannot solve this :( GregP83 18:31 15 Feb '09   I tried to adapt that in my project: its strange because its work cool with all the windows (like solution explorer/properties window etc) but not with DummyDoc. I have those exception: "Invalid parent form. When using DockingMdi or SystemMdi document style, the DockPanel control must be the child control of the main MDI container form." My main form containing dockPanel has set IsMdiContainer: True; all the setting of dockPanel are also the same as in example. But still when I try to use: DummyDoc dummyDoc = CreateNewDocument(); if (dockPanel.DocumentStyle == DocumentStyle.SystemMdi) { dummyDoc.MdiParent = this; dummyDoc.Show(); } else dummyDoc.Show(dockPanel); -- the last line throw this excetion. Have any ideas? Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: Invalid parent form - cannot solve this :( GregP83 18:40 15 Feb '09   PS. Temporary I solve this by changing dockPanel property 'document style' from 'DockingMDI' to 'DockingWindow'. But I wish to know why its not working - still can help others as well. And what is exactly difference between 'DockingMDI' & 'DockingWindow'? for me it works the same. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: Invalid parent form - cannot solve this :( GregP83 20:58 1 Mar '09   OK - finally solved it! DragPanel was indeed not placed on Main Form with MDI. I overlooked that it was placed on ToolStripContainer, I replaced ToolStripContainer with ToolStripPanels and docked them around the Form, so now DockPanel is placed directly on (MDI enabled)Form. I hope it might help someone as well. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink I can't figure out how to use it, am I a freak? John_Wesley 14:34 6 Feb '09   I added the DockPanel to my toolbox in VS2008, popped one on my form and that's pretty much it! I notice some unfamiliar 'Docking' properties, but nothing allows me to place further DockPanel's within that DockPanel which is at one point what I thought must be the right thing to do. Are there more controls that should be showing in my toolbox? Do I need to actually code my own controls inheriting from this DockPanel for a number of conveniences? Care to show how to use this thing? Thanks Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: I can't figure out how to use it, am I a freak? .andy.b. 6:21 8 Feb '09   I'm in the same situation - except I'm using VS2005! Thought I'd get a whole series of components in the toolbox for dockable windows, project explorer type windows et al. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 2.00/5 Re: I can't figure out how to use it, am I a freak? .andy.b. 7:11 8 Feb '09   Been hacking around with a test app and managed to make a start Try this: 1. Add the reference to the WeifenLuo.WinForms.UI.Docking.dll 2. In your toolbox "add a tab" and then "choose items...", browse to the dll above and DockPanel should appear. 3. Add a MDIParent form to the app and add the DockPanel component to the form. 4. Either: (a) Add a new (normal) form to the app and change the inherited form to WeifenLuo.WinFormsUI.Docking.DockContent OR (b) Add an inherited form to the app and browse for the dll above and select one of the obvious forms to inherit from. 5. In the MDIParent form double click the Windows->New Window menu item to show the event handler. Change the code to the following: ChildForm childForm = new ChildForm(); childForm.Show(dockPanel1); Think this project needs a good Code Project article or a getting started guide. Andy Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 5.00/5 Re: I can't figure out how to use it, am I a freak? Member 3097141 8:21 30 Mar '09   yes, true.. this article need more guideline about how to start. also don't forget to update this.IsMdiContainer = true; in your parent form. else, you will not be able to start these functionality of DockManager. ) Hiral Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Keeping docked windows grouped together. kawfeeEsim 12:38 11 Dec '08   I have some docked windows and when I dock one window inside of another they don't stay together when I move them to and from the DockPanel. Is there anyway to keep these window grouped together with the current code? I have found myself inheriting from DockContent and modifying the code along with the factories in order to allow this behavior. Thanks. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink How to show DockContent inside of DockContent's pane kawfeeEsim 6:33 11 Dec '08   I have shown a dock window with DockContent.Show(). I would now like to show a dockable window inside that window I just have shown and I want to dock it inside of the bottom of the window. I think this may be called a pane. So I have a dock window and I want to dock another dockable window inside the bottom pane of the dock window. How can I do this? I haven't been able to figure out which pane is the bottom pane and where the method is to show a window inside that pane. Thanks. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 2.00/5 How to know if a panel is Showing ArielR 7:26 4 Dec '08   This code works fine if DockState of m_dlgFrm.Show is document. How Can I check for the other dock states to see if the panel is actually showing? and if showing, how to activate and make it courrent? if ( FindDocument("dlgFrmTitle") == null ) { dlgFrm m_dlgFrm = new dlgFrm(); m_dlgFrm.Show(DockPanel, DockState.DockLeftAutoHide); } private IDockContent FindDocument(string text) { if (DockPanel.DocumentStyle == DocumentStyle.SystemMdi) { foreach (Form form in MdiChildren) if (form.Text == text) return form as IDockContent; return null; } else { foreach (IDockContent content in DockPanel.Documents) if (content.DockHandler.TabText == text) return content; return null; } } Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Async invocation in tab constructor od OnLoad causes content not refreshing... Seishin# 4:11 21 Aug '08   Hi! First of all your suite is great and powerful tool!! but I'm having a problem with content refreshing. the scarnario: -I have class AA deriving from DockContent with DockAreas = Document -I add a new object (aa1) of the AA to a DockPanel: dockPanel1.Show(aa1, DockState.Document) -in this item's constroctor or onload event I invoke some async method. -method finishes or not - doesn't matter -I add another instance of my AA class - aa2: dockPanel1.Show(aa2, DockState.Document) and here the problem occurs. in the tabs bar the aa2 tab is active but the document shows aa1 content. when I click aa1 tab and then aa2 tab the aa2 tab's content shows properly. without the async call everything works fine.. how can I fix it? thanks for any help life is study!!! Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Re: Async invocation in tab constructor od OnLoad causes content not refreshing... Seishin# 6:45 8 Sep '08   ok.. I guess I got this solved - in a way.. the problem was that before the async call I put the main application window Enabled to false and in WorkCompleted to true.. this somehow caused tab content not refreshing... when I removed the interface blocking it works just fine. life is study!!! Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Last accessed Tab not persisted Title is required Milind Gogate 2:17 1 Jul '08   I am showing smart part as document view in Dockpanelworkspace. I am opening 5 different views as document in workspace now I select 3rd tab page and then select 5th Tab page and close 5th tab page. Now the latest selected tab should be 3rd one. But here always first tab is selected. In original docking library from weifen luo it persists last slected Tab. Can someone please help me in fixing this issue. I am using Weifen Luo Docking dll and CAB Architecture. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink Sample Code How To? V3RO 6:07 25 Jun '08   Ok, maybe I'm just a dummy but I just cant find any good C# examples on how to use DockSuite. Especially with MDI. I have a parent Mdi form inside of which I open Mdi children. So I have added the DockPanel object to my parent form but just dont see how to add the Mdi children inside it. any example code. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 2.00/5 License agrement bmtbf 13:42 26 Feb '08   Hello, I would like to use this part of code for a project that i want to sell. Can i do that freely ? Thank. Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 1.00/5 Re: License agrement balazs_hideghety 4:28 2 Apr '08   No licencing is mentioned, so it should be free. But anyhow, author can change the licence at any time and you cannot proove if there was a licence at the moment you downloaded the code... It's not tracked... C#, ASPX, SQL, novice to NHibernate Sign In·View Thread·PermaLink 1.50/5

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