thebeseus
asked on
Need a tool to automatically resize application in VB.net
Its a payroll-admin program and it deals with forms, datagrids, stuff that have to display correctly. The system is already developed way too far to start re-designing in a 800x600 res.
My problem is to let the program "size down" correctly on smaller resolutions, so that the user can see the whole layout (which is imperitive). In all the program has an idiot-proof user-friendly design, but the user MUST be able to see the whole form when maximized(without scrollbars in other words)
I need a resize tool very badly...
I checked the net only sharewares are there.
I want a freeware. Can any of you provide me a link to or mail it to me? Please its urgent and i am willing to be generous with points.
My problem is to let the program "size down" correctly on smaller resolutions, so that the user can see the whole layout (which is imperitive). In all the program has an idiot-proof user-friendly design, but the user MUST be able to see the whole form when maximized(without scrollbars in other words)
I need a resize tool very badly...
I checked the net only sharewares are there.
I want a freeware. Can any of you provide me a link to or mail it to me? Please its urgent and i am willing to be generous with points.
ASKER
In case its for commercial use?
You don't need a tool to resize. Use the Anchor properties for each control. Locking only certain sides, depending on such desires as resulting size, final position, etc. should do the trick.
For example, you probably don't want command buttons to grow, only move, so Anchor on two sides, say Top & Left. That will keep the button the same size and always in the Upper Right corner of the form. A grid control, on the other hand, you probably want it to fill up the increased space, so Anchor on Left, Right & Bottom will make it stay in the bottom of the form, and grow/shrink as the form is resized.
By setting the WindowState to Maximized, let Windows decide how big the form is to be, and then let the Anchor properties control the resizing.
Hope this helps,
Landy
For example, you probably don't want command buttons to grow, only move, so Anchor on two sides, say Top & Left. That will keep the button the same size and always in the Upper Right corner of the form. A grid control, on the other hand, you probably want it to fill up the increased space, so Anchor on Left, Right & Bottom will make it stay in the bottom of the form, and grow/shrink as the form is resized.
By setting the WindowState to Maximized, let Windows decide how big the form is to be, and then let the Anchor properties control the resizing.
Hope this helps,
Landy
Oops, Anchor the Button on the Top & Right to keep it in the upper Right of the form. Sorry about that.
Also, I found this software on Download.com
http://www.download.com/Photo-Resizer/3000-2192-10326178.html?tag=lst-0-4
Seems it's free & with 78,000+ downloads! so must be good.
-tushar
http://www.download.com/Photo-Resizer/3000-2192-10326178.html?tag=lst-0-4
Seems it's free & with 78,000+ downloads! so must be good.
-tushar
Check out other few option at Download.Com:
http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?qt=Image+Resizer&tg=dl-2001&search.x=33&search.y=4
-tushar
http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?qt=Image+Resizer&tg=dl-2001&search.x=33&search.y=4
-tushar
The best way to do it is to use docking. Use panels, and splitters and dock the controls centered, top, bottom, right and left. It's the most robust UI if done correctly.
Tush, those are image resizers. They won't help when resizing a VB form.
gregasm, good suggestion. Using the docking and anchoring (you'll need to use both) will give you a very robust UI that will scale to any resolution your users can come up with.
gregasm, good suggestion. Using the docking and anchoring (you'll need to use both) will give you a very robust UI that will scale to any resolution your users can come up with.
Landy, I believe if it's possible to resize the image then it's always better, as you will be loading 100kb image rather then 1.5MB.
Your suggestions are elegant, but I am suggesting those software because Author has asked for it.
-tushar
Your suggestions are elegant, but I am suggesting those software because Author has asked for it.
-tushar
Tushar,
Sorry, I didn't mean to be critical, so I hope you didn't take it that way. What I meant was, VB forms don't create an "image" so there is nothing to send to those applications to be resized.
.NET has made resizing tools unnecessary by incorporating the Dock and Anchor settings into the forms, that's why we didn't suggest software to solve thebeseus' question. I don't even know if there is anyone who has actually written a resizing tool for .NET. Once a programmer gets the hang of it, it's too easy to do on one's own.
-Landy
Sorry, I didn't mean to be critical, so I hope you didn't take it that way. What I meant was, VB forms don't create an "image" so there is nothing to send to those applications to be resized.
.NET has made resizing tools unnecessary by incorporating the Dock and Anchor settings into the forms, that's why we didn't suggest software to solve thebeseus' question. I don't even know if there is anyone who has actually written a resizing tool for .NET. Once a programmer gets the hang of it, it's too easy to do on one's own.
-Landy
Oh no, you're not being cricticle.. you're explaining your views.. so do I :)
Well as per my understanding, dock & anchor setting only show smaller image they do not actually 'resize' it.
For example, if one of the images to display was a file named BigFile.gif, which was 100 KB in size and 400 pixels by 400 pixels, the image would be resized to 200 pixels by 200 pixels with dock & anchor. While this has the effect of having the image display in application as a 200x200 image, the image's file size has not changed. That is, the entire 100 KB image file is used in application.
( I might be dead wrong! In the terms of Windows Programming)
But check out following article which explain Image Resizing technique in .Net.
--> http://aspnet.4guysfromrolla.com/articles/012203-1.aspx
thebeseus : I hope we are not going off topic.
-tushar
Well as per my understanding, dock & anchor setting only show smaller image they do not actually 'resize' it.
For example, if one of the images to display was a file named BigFile.gif, which was 100 KB in size and 400 pixels by 400 pixels, the image would be resized to 200 pixels by 200 pixels with dock & anchor. While this has the effect of having the image display in application as a 200x200 image, the image's file size has not changed. That is, the entire 100 KB image file is used in application.
( I might be dead wrong! In the terms of Windows Programming)
But check out following article which explain Image Resizing technique in .Net.
--> http://aspnet.4guysfromrolla.com/articles/012203-1.aspx
thebeseus : I hope we are not going off topic.
-tushar
Since thebeseus hasn't replied to any of these comments, I don't know if we are off-topic or not.
You're correct with everything you are saying about resizing images and the size of the files, etc. but my take is that this is about trying to resize the form and keep his controls displayed properly.
Right now, I'd say we're both correct, until thebeseus returns to clarify.
You're correct with everything you are saying about resizing images and the size of the files, etc. but my take is that this is about trying to resize the form and keep his controls displayed properly.
Right now, I'd say we're both correct, until thebeseus returns to clarify.
ASKER
Hi Landy
Yes you are ight i dont need a photo resizer.
Is there no resizing tool for VB applications that will let the app load correctly in any resolution?
Yes you are ight i dont need a photo resizer.
Is there no resizing tool for VB applications that will let the app load correctly in any resolution?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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thebeseus,
Just checking to see how it was going with the Dock & Anchor settings.
-Landy
Just checking to see how it was going with the Dock & Anchor settings.
-Landy
No objection from me!
The software is free for private and non-comercial use:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/pierre.g/xnview/en_ncfeatures.html
-tushar