JahKett
03-07-2002, 06:24 PM
ok, i've got a background in active server pages, which is VBscript. I've been meaning to get into Visual Basic for a while now, but haven't had any motivation (a good program to code). I've thought of one, but it may be a bit hard for a newbie to write...
Is it possible with visual basic to create a form that will span the entire desktop with no hint that it's there except for the sub-windows (is that the correct term) in the form? Also, I need to be able to skin the sub-windows
By the way, this has nothing to do with ads and will not be scumware or anything like that.
usetheforce2
03-07-2002, 07:32 PM
hey, you can make a window span an entire form the make it invisible with a few api calls. there is an example in the code library that will demostrate this for you. To use the example just pass the name fo the form to the sub routine in the modul
makemeinvisble form1 <-- thats it.
as for sub-windows, i don't follow :)
Regan
JahKett
03-07-2002, 07:39 PM
Umm windows inside a window. Ideally they would be able to hold icons.
Basically, what I want to create is a means of organizing items on the desktop. This program will draw windows on the desktop that the icons can be dropped into. The windows can then be minimized etc... I guess you could say I want to build an updated program manager interface, but get rid of that one nasty main window and just let the desktop show through, and make the program groups skinable so they're decent looking as well. Maybe with a translucent background or somethign to that effect.
I know it's a bit of a job for a newbie to do, but I like the idea a lot and I don't want to see it just go down the tubes, u know?
Banjo
03-15-2002, 10:45 AM
You can only do transparency on Win2K or later. Search the web for SetLayeredWindowAttributes for examples.
If you are writing a shell to replace explorer then you will not need transparency anyway and you will need to draw the desktop icons yourself anyway.
JahKett
03-15-2002, 06:14 PM
It wouldn't be a shell. Just something that would sort of sit on the desktop.
I'm running windows XP, so transparency should work.
ChiefRedBull
03-16-2002, 02:37 AM
You don't need to make a transparent form, just use several single forms. If you want them all grouped, you can make them MDI childs, and if you do that, then you will need to make the MDI form transparent.
I'm not sure what you're doing though...
JahKett
03-16-2002, 09:16 AM
Maybe this picture will help
http://members.mint.net/fedex/desktop2.jpg
That's my desktop as it is now. I've drawn areas on the background to group icons with instead of having them all over the desktop and unsorted.
Basically, I just want those groups to be movable, and resizeable.
ChiefRedBull
03-16-2002, 10:20 AM
Oh I understand. Nice idea!
Well, I'd do it by having each 'black area' as a form. Possibly a borderless form. Then, use Imageboxes to hold the icons for all the various shortcuts, and use ShellExecute to launch the shortcut programs.
You can drag a borderless control easily enough. Look at this (http://www.visualbasicforum.com/showthread.php?threadid=12328) example in the Code Library.