Visual Manager and Docking Style

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 52 views

Introduction

BCGControlBar is a powerful and versatile library that provides a wide range of features and capabilities for developing custom user interfaces. In this article, we will delve into the various features and enhancements introduced in version 7.0 of the library, and explore how they can be leveraged to create robust and efficient applications.

General Features

Visual Manager and Docking Style

One of the key features introduced in version 7.0 is the new visual manager "CBCGPVisualManagerVS2005", which allows developers to create applications with a Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2005 ("Whidbey") look and feel. This visual manager provides a sleek and modern interface that is sure to impress users.

In addition to the new visual manager, version 7.0 also introduces a new docking style - "smart docking". This feature allows users to see where a dragged window can be docked, making it easier to manage multiple windows and applications. The smart docking style can be enabled by calling the CBCGPDockManager::SetDockStyle method and passing the DT_SMART flag.

Customization and Flexibility

The new visual manager and docking style are not the only features that offer customization and flexibility. The library also provides a range of options for customizing the appearance and behavior of the control bar. For example, developers can change the colors and shapes of the smart docking markers to match their application's branding.

Right-to-Left Layout Support

Version 7.0 also introduces full support for right-to-left layout. This feature allows developers to create applications that are compatible with languages such as Arabic and Hebrew, where the text flows from right to left.

Context Menu and Dock Bar Menu

The library also provides a new static method CBCGPDockManager::EnableDockBarMenu that allows developers to enable or disable the additional context menu related to control bar states. This menu consists of four items: Floating, Docking, Auto Hide, and Hide.

Tab Control and Visual Managers

The tab control has also been enhanced in version 7.0. The CBCGPTabWnd class now has a new method EnableTabDocumentsMenu that replaces scroll buttons with a popup menu displaying a list of opened documents. This feature makes it easier for users to navigate and manage multiple documents.

In addition to the new method, the tab control also has a new style - STYLE_3D_VS2005. This style makes the tabbed windows look similar to the MDI tab window in Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2005 development environment.

Visual Managers and Border Size

Visual managers now have the ability to override the default border size of tabbed control bars using the new methods GetMDITabsBordersSize and GetDockingTabsBordersSize. This feature provides developers with more flexibility and control over the appearance of their applications.

Toolbars and Menus

32-bit Images and Color Transformation

Version 7.0 introduces support for displaying toolbars with 32-bit images on all Windows platforms where the alpha blending feature is supported. This feature allows developers to create high-quality and visually appealing toolbars that are compatible with a wide range of platforms.

In addition to the new image support, the library also provides a new method CBCGPToolBarImages::AddaptColors that allows developers to change the image tone color at runtime. This feature provides more flexibility and control over the appearance of the toolbar.

Recalculating Toolbar Layout

The library has also improved the efficiency of recalculating toolbar layout. This feature makes it faster and more efficient to manage and update the layout of the toolbar.

Automatic Image Graying and Cleanup

The library also provides a new method CBCGPToolBar::AutoGrayInactiveImages that allows developers to automatically gray disabled images. This feature makes it easier to manage and update the appearance of the toolbar.

In addition to the new method, the library also provides a new method CleanUpLockedImages that allows developers to clean image lists in locked (non-customizable) toolbars.

32-bit Icons and Image List Access

The library also provides a new optional parameter bAlphaBlend in the AddIcon method of the CBCGPToolBarImages class. This parameter allows developers to add 32-bit icons to the toolbar.

The library also provides access methods to collections of images residing in the CBCGPToolBar class. This feature makes it easier to manage and update the appearance of the toolbar.

Menu Drawing Performance

The library has also improved the performance of menu drawing. This feature makes it faster and more efficient to manage and update the appearance of the menu.

Edit Control

Automatic Width Adjustment and Typing Performance

The library has improved the typing performance of the edit control when auto-outlining is enabled. This feature makes it faster and more efficient to manage and update the appearance of the edit control.

The library also provides a new virtual method OnUpdateLineNumbersMarginWidth that allows developers to automatically adjust the width of the outline margin.

Line Operations and Selection Operations

The library also provides new wrapper functions for line operations in the edit control. These functions include GetLineCount, GetLine, GetFirstVisibleLine, LineIndex, LineFromChar, LineLength, and LineScroll.

The library also provides new functions for selection operations in the edit control. These functions include GetSelText and ReplaceSel.

Virtual Functions and Printing

The library also provides new virtual functions for printing by pages. These functions include OnPrintPageHeader and OnPrintPageFooter.

The library also provides a new virtual function OnDrawBorder that allows developers to custom draw the border of the edit control.

WM_GETTEXTLENGTH Message Handling

The library also provides a new handler for the WM_GETTEXTLENGTH message. This handler is implemented in the OnGetTextLength method of the CBCGPEditCtrl class.

Task Pane

Embedded User Window and Full-Size Option

The library provides an option for embedded user windows to be full-size in the task pane group. This feature can be enabled by calling the CBCGPTasksPane::EnableOffsetCustomControls method.

Exportable Class

The CBCGPTaskPaneMiniFrameWnd class is now exportable. This feature makes it easier to use the class in other applications and libraries.

Q: What is BCGControlBar?

A: BCGControlBar is a powerful and versatile library that provides a wide range of features and capabilities for developing custom user interfaces. It is designed to help developers create high-quality and visually appealing applications that are compatible with a wide range of platforms.

Q: What are the key features of BCGControlBar?

A: The key features of BCGControlBar include:

A new visual manager "CBCGPVisualManagerVS2005" that allows developers to create applications with a Microsoft Visual Studio.NET 2005 ("Whidbey") look and feel
A new docking style - "smart docking" that allows users to see where a dragged window can be docked
Full support for right-to-left layout
A new static method CBCGPDockManager::EnableDockBarMenu that allows developers to enable or disable the additional context menu related to control bar states
A new method CBCGPTabWnd::EnableTabDocumentsMenu that replaces scroll buttons with a popup menu displaying a list of opened documents
Support for displaying toolbars with 32-bit images on all Windows platforms where the alpha blending feature is supported
A new method CBCGPToolBarImages::AddaptColors that allows developers to change the image tone color at runtime
Improved menu drawing performance
Automatic width adjustment for the outline margin in the edit control
Improved typing performance of the edit control when auto-outlining is enabled
New wrapper functions for line operations in the edit control
New functions for selection operations in the edit control
New virtual functions for printing by pages
A new virtual function OnDrawBorder that allows developers to custom draw the border of the edit control
A new handler for the WM_GETTEXTLENGTH message

Q: What platforms is BCGControlBar compatible with?

A: BCGControlBar is compatible with a wide range of platforms, including Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

Q: Can I use BCGControlBar in my commercial application?

A: Yes, you can use BCGControlBar in your commercial application. The library is licensed under a commercial license that allows you to use it in your applications.

Q: How do I get started with BCGControlBar?

A: To get started with BCGControlBar, you will need to download and install the library. Once you have installed the library, you can start using it in your applications by including the necessary headers and linking against the library.

Q: What kind of support does BCGControlBar offer?

A: BCGControlBar offers a range of support options, including:

Online documentation and tutorials
Sample code and examples
Forum and discussion board
Email support
Phone support

Q: Can I customize BCGControlBar to fit my needs?

A: Yes, you can customize BCGControlBar to fit your needs. The library is highly customizable and provides a range of options for customizing the appearance and behavior of the control bar.

Q: Is BCGControlBar compatible with other libraries and frameworks?

A: Yes, BCGControlBar is compatible with a wide range of libraries and frameworks, including MFC, ATL, and .NET.

Q: Can I use BCGControlBar in my mobile application?

A: Yes, you can use BCGControlBar in your mobile application. The library is compatible with a wide range of mobile platforms, including iOS and Android.

Q: How do I report a bug or issue with BCGControlBar?

A: To report a bug or issue with BCGControlBar, you can use the library's online forum and discussion board or email the support team directly.

Q: Can I get a trial version of BCGControlBar?

A: Yes, you can get a trial version of BCGControlBar. The trial version allows you to use the library for a limited time and is a great way to test the library before purchasing a commercial license.