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.NET Forum / Languages / Managed C++ / June 2005Creating forms, toolbars etc using Visual C++ 6.0
Hi, I can't seem to locate the visual C++ (pre .NET) ng. This may be slight off topic here - please point me to the correct ng if it is. Without going into much detail (and repeating myself several times), I am using Visual C++ 6.0 to develop applications - *instead* of .Net. I am using the MFC to create my GUI components. I am particularly interested in doing the ff with my GUI: 1). Achieving the XP look and feel 2). Creating floating/docakable toolbars 3). Visually designing a form (a bit like can be done using VB), so that I can place components (e.g. images, combo boxes etc) on the form at design time Could anyone please point me to some samples that show me how to do this. Please note: I already know all this can be done (and done more easily in .Net), so please do not try to convince me to create the GUI in dotNet - I've already explained why I don't want to go down the .Net route in an earlier post. I would be extremely grateful for any feedback I receive. Many thanks Paul >I am particularly interested in doing the ff with my GUI: > >1). Achieving the XP look and feel Paul, Have a look at "Using Windows XP Visual Styles" on MSDN: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnwxp/html/xptheming.asp >2). Creating floating/docakable toolbars >3). Visually designing a form (a bit like can be done using VB), so that > I can place components (e.g. images, combo boxes etc) on the form at >design time You can create toolbars with VC6, and design a form (dialog) using the IDE's dialog editor. >Could anyone please point me to some samples that show me how to do >this. If you've not already done so, do the Scribble MFC tutorial - which should be supplied with your VC6. >Please note: I already know all this can be done (and done more >easily in .Net), so please do not try to convince me to create the GUI >in dotNet - I've already explained why I don't want to go down the .Net >route in an earlier post. You can still use VS2002/3/5 to produce native MFC applications as you can with VC6. They don't have to be managed code and if you'd find it advantageous, you get the benefit of a much more standard compliant C++ compiler . Dave  SignatureMVP VC++ FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/vcfaq David, Thank you very much for the information and links. I may have one or more additional questions after I have had a chance to read the documentation - I hope you don't mind. Many thanks once again. Paul >>I am particularly interested in doing the ff with my GUI: >> [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Dave <snip> > You can still use VS2002/3/5 to produce native MFC applications as you > can with VC6. They don't have to be managed code and if you'd find it > advantageous, you get the benefit of a much more standard compliant > C++ compiler . </snip> Hi Dave, This is most interesting from me - do you have a link that shows how Windows Forms can be designed in VS2003 (I've downloaded express version) and then generate a *natrive* application from the Windows Forms - I take it that I will not have to use PInvoke or C++/InterOp to call functions/methods in my existing C++ libraries (this is actually the ultimate solution - ease of GUI design, ANSI compliant compiler and native binary compilation - with no MSIL code or PE anywhere). Look forward to your reply - mtia >This is most interesting from me - do you have a link that shows how >Windows Forms can be designed in VS2003 (I've downloaded express >version) and then generate a *natrive* application from the Windows >Forms I didn't say Windows Forms. WinForms are managed code only AFAIK. I've not tried them myself, but I believe the express product only comes with facilities to develop managed applications. Dave SignatureMVP VC++ FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/vcfaq Hi Dave, Thanks for the prompt response. Do you know how forms (Frames) can be developped using VS2003 ?. Does it have a "proper" forms designer (ala VB) in VS2003? - or does one have to create forms via Dialog boxes as your last message seemed to suggest? Lastly, is it possible to create toolboxes like the control toolbox that VC (or even VB) displays ? - once again any links to such sample apps would be very welcome. mtia - Paul >>This is most interesting from me - do you have a link that shows how >>Windows Forms can be designed in VS2003 (I've downloaded express [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Dave > Hi Dave, > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > mtia - Paul "Forms" is a vague term. WinForms is a pure managed technology, targeted by VC++ 2003 and later (or C#/VB 2002 and later). You can also build a "forms" application by building conventional windows dialogs, using the MFC/Win32 dialog editor and built-in or custom controls. You can still do that in VC++ 2003 and 2005. You cannot, however, do that using VC++ 2005 Express, which is apparently what you've got (aside from VC6). There are MFC examples and controls for just about all of what you're asking for. I'd suggest starting with a general overview (and the Scribble tutorial, as David mentioned). See http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/vccore/html/_co re_Overview.3a_.Creating_an_MFC_EXE_Program.asp for a good "jumping off" point for MFC development topics. -cd <snip> > You can also build a "forms" application by building conventional windows > dialogs, using the MFC/Win32 dialog editor and built-in or custom controls. > You can still do that in VC++ 2003 and 2005. You cannot, however, do that > using VC++ 2005 Express, which is apparently what you've got (aside from > VC6). </snip> Hi Carl, Many thanks for that - I think the approach to take is beginning to become clearer to me: It seems I can use either VC++ 6.0 or VS 2003 (I have access to the Archiect edition at work) to build MFC applications. However, I believe (I stand to be corrected), in VC++, "forms" (to borrow from VB terminology) are built using the dialog editor (is that correct)? Last but not the least, I would be grateful for answers to these questions: Q1). Can I use MFC in VS 2003 (using the Dialog Editor - rather misleading name that) to create a UI - and then build a native binary from the designed user interfaces (i.e. for the entire application) ? Q2). I don't need to use PInvoke or C++/InterOp in my application - I can #include the headers, link to the libs and build a native binary of my app (even though I am using BS 2003)? Q3). Do I get the XP look and feel "for free" when I use the Design Editor in VS 2003 to create my user interfaces (Window Frames) ? or do I have to resort to "work arounds" kindly provided by David in his earlier post? I look forward to your response. mtia - Paul > <snip> >> You can also build a "forms" application by building conventional [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > (is that > correct)? Correct. > Last but not the least, I would be grateful for answers to these > questions: > Q1). Can I use MFC in VS 2003 (using the Dialog Editor - rather > misleading name that) to create a UI - and then build a native binary > from the designed user interfaces (i.e. for the entire application) ? 100% native, yes. You can also build your own custom window classes if your app isn't really "form-based" (e.g. Word, Excel, etc). MFC has an extensive "document view" (a bastardization of MVC) architecture for building applications that are basically document editors (like Word). > Q2). I don't need to use PInvoke or C++/InterOp in my application - I > can #include the headers, link to the libs and build a native binary > of my app (even though I am using BS 2003)? Absolutely. Still true with VC++ 2005 as well (and will always be true). > Q3). Do I get the XP look and feel "for free" when I use the Design > Editor in VS 2003 to create my user interfaces (Window Frames) ? or > do I have to resort to "work arounds" kindly provided by David in his > earlier post? You don't get the XP look and feel for free unless you use winforms, which handles all the XP-theme stuff for you behind the scenes. -cd Thank you very much Carl. I have all the information I need to make a decision now. many thanks for your help >><snip> >> [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > > -cd >Q3). Do I get the XP look and feel "for free" when I use the Design >Editor in VS 2003 to create my user interfaces (Window Frames) ? or do I >have to resort to "work arounds" kindly provided by David in his earlier >post? Paul, They're not work-arounds - it's the way it is! To get the XP themed look you have to have your application use the V6 common controls - which you do by using a manifest (as shown in that MSDN article I referenced). Dave SignatureMVP VC++ FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/vcfaq > Hi, > > I can't seem to locate the visual C++ (pre .NET) ng. This may be > slight off topic here - please point me to the correct ng if it is. This one's fine. You might also try: microsoft.public.vc.language microsoft.public.vc.mfc All of these newsgroups can be accessed via NNTP through news.microsoft.com, or via web browser through http://msdn.microsoft.com/newsgroups/. -cd Free MagazinesGet these publications absolutely FREE for up to 12 months. There are no hidden fees and no obligation. 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