EntrySet.Extenders Namespace
VisualExtender Component
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VisualExtender is like a painter, using colors transforms old unfashionable application into a new attractive one. Within seconds your forms look significantly nicer to look at, are better arranged and easier to use. Any control, including but not limited to TextBox or ComboBox etc, is enriched with painting of captions, shapes, titles, backgrounds, flags and more.
VisualExtender is a special component, which can extend the functionality of other components about new visual functions. How does it work? You insert VisualExtender into Form and all components, which occur in Form, are extended about new properties, including Form. VisualExtender uses for this function Extender Provider from .NET Framework. VisualExtender distinguishes between two types of components - Containers and Controls. Each type has different visual possibilities.
Design time integration
We know that simple and easy WYSIWYG editing features gives comfort and ease of use. Therefore we have implemented state-of-the-art Visual Editors, custom type editors and have integrated context menu commands for extended controls as well.
Visual Abilities
VisualExtender distinguishes between two types of components - Containers and Controls. Each type has different visual possibilities.
Caption
For description of each component are classically used labels. This function draws next to component Caption without necessity using Label control. Caption can be displayed in several different ways.
Hyperlink
This function displays Caption in style of hyperlink. It means that it is possible to click on hyperlink and cause specific operation.
Required Sign
This function displays Required Sign at data entry component. It means that user has to enter data in this section.
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Flag
This function can display so-called Flag next to the component. It is a simple picture (e.g. flag, point, arrow, diamond), which can represent specific condition or information. You can click on the Flag and cause some operation.
Shadow
This function has very simple task - to display a shadow under the component. It can cause an impression of three-dimensional space and reach that way more attractive user interface.
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Caption and Shape
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VisualExtender extends all visual components with Caption function. This can draw a text next to the component so it is not necessary to allign a Label control for description. It can also draw Shape under the component, which makes the user interface more attractive.
Caption essentially consists of two parts - Caption and Shape. Caption is text portion and Shape is background filled rectangle portion. Following image shows several examples of Caption and Shape in use: |
Hyperlink
VisualExtender can display Caption as Hyperlink. That means that if mouse cursor is on it, its appearance change (e.g. it is underlined) and it is possible to click on it, which causes some event.
Following picture shows how the Hyperlink looks like:
Required Sign
Identifies that a control is requried and/or requires attention of a user. One of three shapes can be chosen and also color can be set.
Following image shows how RequiredSign looks:
Flag
Flag is special visual feature, which is similar to Required Sign. But it has more possibilities. Flag can be used e.g. to mark specific state of form element. Flag is displayed on the left or right side of the Control.
You can choose its color and if it is possible to click on it. If so, FlagClicked event is fired.
Following image shows how Flag looks:
Shadow
Shadow can display a shadow under the control. You can choose shadow color.
Following image shows how Shadow looks:
Controls
Other visual components e.g. TextBox, Label and Checkbox. By means of VisualExtender can be Controls extended about these visual functions:
Containers
Container type components include e.g. Form and Panel. In these components you can insert other components. VisualExtender extendeds Containers with these visual functions.
Background Feature
VisualExtender extends container components with Background function. Container components are components that can hold other controls, such as Form and/or Panel.
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Title and Subtitle
VisualExtender adds to all container components Title function. This function can draw text in two lines as Title and Subtitle, in top, center or bottom part of a component and also can color the text background.
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