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Magic MenuControl - VS.NET Style

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29 Sep 20022 min read 338.3K   1.7K   101   60
Menus that mimic VS.NET/OfficeXP

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

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


Written By
Web Developer
United Kingdom United Kingdom
I am a big fan of .NET and have been working on developing a free user interface library to enhance the very basic controls that come out-of-the-box. Download the free source code project from http://www.dotnetmagic.com. I often carry out bespoke development work for companies, so feel free to email me for a quote on your .NET needs!



Comments and Discussions

 
GeneralRe: Sos!!How can i add my own icon to the menu?? Pin
Rick Pingry27-May-05 2:38
Rick Pingry27-May-05 2:38 
GeneralGreat free codes! Pin
hustcaozy6-Apr-03 17:54
hustcaozy6-Apr-03 17:54 
QuestionHow to merge child menu with the MDI parent's? Pin
Udupa28-Mar-03 1:53
Udupa28-Mar-03 1:53 
GeneralBad Code Pin
TemplMetaProg28-Mar-03 1:34
TemplMetaProg28-Mar-03 1:34 
GeneralRe: Bad Code Pin
Anonymous6-Apr-03 15:43
Anonymous6-Apr-03 15:43 
QuestionCan not set MDIList for the MenuCommand in a MDI Form. Pin
frontad23-Mar-03 22:01
frontad23-Mar-03 22:01 
AnswerRe: Can not set MDIList for the MenuCommand in a MDI Form. Pin
Richard Johnn2-May-03 10:56
Richard Johnn2-May-03 10:56 
GeneralMagic 1.7.3 Released Pin
Phil Wright2-Mar-03 10:16
Phil Wright2-Mar-03 10:16 
Version 1.7.3 of the Magic Library is now available from...

http://www.dotnetmagic.com

Includes numerous bug fixes to the Menus, TabControl and Docking functions.

For those new to the library it includes VS.NET style controls for...

Menus,
TabControl,
Tabbed MDI,
Docking Windows,
Wizard Control/Dialog.

All the source code is included in the download that can be used free of charge or royalties in commerical as well as private applications.


Phil Wright
phil.wright@dotnetmagic.com
GeneralAdding Menu command Pin
David XZ24-Feb-03 19:57
David XZ24-Feb-03 19:57 
GeneralRe: Adding Menu command Pin
rlujo28-Mar-03 4:24
rlujo28-Mar-03 4:24 
GeneralNotifyIcon + ContextMenu Icon Error Pin
rund1me18-Feb-03 3:38
rund1me18-Feb-03 3:38 
GeneralRe: NotifyIcon + ContextMenu Icon Error Pin
Robert J9-Apr-03 23:19
Robert J9-Apr-03 23:19 
GeneralBackground color of IDE menu Pin
TravisSmith3-Feb-03 22:30
TravisSmith3-Feb-03 22:30 
GeneralRe: Background color of IDE menu Pin
Anonymous8-Feb-03 19:42
Anonymous8-Feb-03 19:42 
QuestionWhat Happened to www.dotnetmagic.com Pin
Joel Matthias30-Jan-03 13:54
Joel Matthias30-Jan-03 13:54 
GeneralMigration issues Pin
Sebastian K. Zaklada20-Jan-03 20:50
Sebastian K. Zaklada20-Jan-03 20:50 
GeneralContext Menu for System Tray Pin
Pooran Prasad R.20-Jan-03 19:15
Pooran Prasad R.20-Jan-03 19:15 
Questioncan it be control for a container, for example a panel Pin
xhw6-Jan-03 23:55
xhw6-Jan-03 23:55 
Generalgray popup menu background color Pin
Bao Nguyen23-Nov-02 11:44
Bao Nguyen23-Nov-02 11:44 
Generaltg5t Pin
Anonymous15-Nov-02 6:11
Anonymous15-Nov-02 6:11 
GeneralBack Color Pin
Anonymous30-Oct-02 6:20
Anonymous30-Oct-02 6:20 
GeneralFlickering with the top-level items Pin
TigerNinja_3-Oct-02 16:21
TigerNinja_3-Oct-02 16:21 
GeneralRe: Flickering with the top-level items Pin
Phil Wright3-Oct-02 22:37
Phil Wright3-Oct-02 22:37 
GeneralRe: Flickering with the top-level items Pin
Thong Nguyen27-Jan-03 16:59
Thong Nguyen27-Jan-03 16:59 
GeneralRe: Fix Pin
Thong Nguyen27-Jan-03 17:05
Thong Nguyen27-Jan-03 17:05 

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