asked on

Child controls display order in a composite control

Hi experts,

I'm builduig a custom control. This control will be a header consisting of images and button collection.
So far it's working great, except that my buttons are created under the graphics and I don't know how to display them in front.
I've tried using the controls property BringToFront but it gives me strange behavior and doesn't move the display order.
I've attach the code.
In the designer I have to picture box and I want the buttons to appear in front of them.

Thanks for any help

Imports System.ComponentModel
Imports System.Collections
Imports System.Configuration
 
 
 
Public Class ctlHeader
 
    'Collection pour les boutons
    Private _HDItems As New ITCollection
 
 
 
    <Description(""), _
 DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Content)> _
  Public ReadOnly Property HDItems() As ITCollection
        Get
            Return _HDItems
        End Get
 
 
    End Property
 
    Private Sub ctl_Paint(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs) Handles Me.Paint
 
 
        Dim intBt As Integer = 0
 
        For Each hd As HDItem In _HDItems
 
            Dim bt As New Button
            bt.Text = hd.Text
            bt.Name = "bt_" & intBt
            bt.Width = 100
            bt.Top = 50
            bt.Left = 10 + (intBt * 110)
 
            Me.Controls.Add(bt)
            intBt = intBt + 1
 
 
        Next
 
 
    End Sub
 
End Class
 
 
 
<DesignTimeVisible(False), ToolboxItem(False)> Public Class HDMenu
    'Inherits Infragistics.WebUI.UltraWebNavigator.Item
 
    Public Enum mnuType
        TopMenu
        SubMenu
    End Enum
    Dim _fullpath As String
    Dim _leveltype As String
 
 
 
    Public Overridable Property Fullpath() As String
        Get
            Return _fullpath
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _fullpath = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
 
 
 
End Class
 
 
 
 
'Définition des propriétés des items
 
 
 
<DesignTimeVisible(False), ToolboxItem(False)> Public Class HDItem
    Inherits Control
 
    Public Enum enuType
        HeaderButton
        AppButton
    End Enum
    Dim _key As String
    Dim _image As String
    Dim _imageHover As String
    Dim _disabled As Boolean
    Dim _main As Boolean
    Dim _fullpath As String
    Dim _MenuName As String
    Dim _Link As String
    Dim _ID As String
    Dim _ittype As enuType
    Dim _ToolTip As String
    Dim _Name As String
    Dim _sep As Boolean
    Dim _btns As String
    Dim _postback As Boolean
 
 
 
 
    <Category("Item"), Browsable(False), DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Visible)> Public Property ID() As String
        Get
            Return _ID
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _ID = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item")> Public Property Key() As String
        Get
            Return _key
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _key = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Button")> Public Overridable Property Image() As String
        Get
            Return _image
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _image = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Button")> Public Overridable Property ImageHover() As String
        Get
            Return _imageHover
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _imageHover = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item")> Public Property Disabled() As Boolean
        Get
            Return _disabled
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As Boolean)
            _disabled = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item"), Browsable(False)> Public Overridable Property FullPath() As String
        Get
            Return _fullpath
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _fullpath = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item"), Browsable(False)> Public Overridable Property MenuName() As String
        Get
            Return _MenuName
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _MenuName = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item")> Public Overridable Property Link() As String
        Get
            Return _Link
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _Link = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
 
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item")> Public Overridable Property ITType() As enuType
        Get
            Return _ittype
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As enuType)
            _ittype = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item")> Public Overloads Property Name() As String
        Get
            Return _Name
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _Name = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item")> Public Property ToolTip() As String
        Get
            Return _ToolTip
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _ToolTip = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item")> Public Property Separator() As Boolean
        Get
            Return _sep
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As Boolean)
            _sep = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item")> Public Property BtnScript() As String
        Get
            Return _btns
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
            _btns = Value
        End Set
    End Property
 
    ''' <summary>
    ''' ...
    ''' </summary>
    <Category("Item")> Public Property NoPostBack() As Boolean
        Get
            Return _postback
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As Boolean)
            _postback = value
        End Set
    End Property
End Class
 
 
'Définition des boutons d'entete
Public Class HDbutton
    Inherits HDItem
 
    Public Sub New()
        MyBase.New()
        Me.ITType = HDItem.enuType.HeaderButton
    End Sub
 
    <Browsable(False)> _
        Overrides Property FullPath() As String
        Get
            Return ""
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
 
        End Set
    End Property
    <Browsable(False)> _
        Overrides Property menuname() As String
        Get
            Return ""
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
 
        End Set
    End Property
 
    <Browsable(False)> _
        Overrides Property link() As String
        Get
            Return ""
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
 
        End Set
    End Property
 
End Class
 
'Définition des boutons d'application
 
Public Class APbutton
    Inherits HDItem
 
    Public Sub New()
        MyBase.New()
        Me.ITType = HDItem.enuType.AppButton
    End Sub
 
    <Browsable(False)> _
        Overrides Property FullPath() As String
        Get
            Return ""
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
 
        End Set
    End Property
    <Browsable(False)> _
        Overrides Property menuname() As String
        Get
            Return ""
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
 
        End Set
    End Property
 
    <Browsable(False)> _
        Overrides Property link() As String
        Get
            Return ""
        End Get
        Set(ByVal Value As String)
 
        End Set
    End Property
 
 
End Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
'Définition des collections de boutons et de menu avec les méthodes
 
Public Class ITCollection
    Inherits CollectionBase
 
    Default Public ReadOnly Property Item(ByVal pageIndex As Integer) As HDItem
        Get
            Return MyBase.List(pageIndex)
        End Get
    End Property
 
    Public Sub Add(ByVal page As HDItem)
        MyBase.List.Add(page)
    End Sub
 
    Public Function IndexOf(ByVal page As HDItem) As Integer
        Return MyBase.List.IndexOf(page)
    End Function
 
    Public Function IndexOf(ByVal key As String) As Integer
 
        Dim myItem As HDItem
        Dim i As Single = 0
 
        While (i < MyBase.List.Count)
 
            myItem = MyBase.List.Item(i)
            If (myItem.Key = key) Then
 
                Return i
 
            End If
 
            i += 1
 
        End While
 
        Return -1
 
    End Function
End Class
 
Public Class HDMenus
    Inherits CollectionBase
 
    Default Public ReadOnly Property Item(ByVal pageIndex As Integer) As HDMenu
        Get
            Return MyBase.List(pageIndex)
        End Get
    End Property
 
    Public Sub Add(ByVal page As HDMenu)
        MyBase.List.Add(page)
    End Sub
 
    Public Function IndexOf(ByVal page As HDMenu) As Integer
        Return MyBase.List.IndexOf(page)
    End Function
 
 
End Class
 
 
Public Class HDButtons
    Inherits CollectionBase
 
 
    Default Public ReadOnly Property Item(ByVal pageIndex As Integer) As HDbutton
        Get
            Return MyBase.List(pageIndex)
        End Get
    End Property
 
    Public Sub Add(ByVal page As HDbutton)
        MyBase.List.Add(page)
    End Sub
 
    Public Function IndexOf(ByVal page As HDbutton) As Integer
        Return MyBase.List.IndexOf(page)
    End Function
 
    Public Sub Remove(ByVal page As HDbutton)
        MyBase.List.Remove(page)
    End Sub
 
End Class
 
 
Public Class APButtons
    Inherits CollectionBase
 
    Default Public ReadOnly Property Item(ByVal pageIndex As Integer) As APbutton
        Get
            Return MyBase.List(pageIndex)
        End Get
    End Property
 
    Public Sub Add(ByVal page As APbutton)
        MyBase.List.Add(page)
    End Sub
 
    Public Function IndexOf(ByVal page As APbutton) As Integer
        Return MyBase.List.IndexOf(page)
    End Function
 
    Public Sub Remove(ByVal page As APbutton)
        MyBase.List.Remove(page)
    End Sub
 
End Class

Open in new window

JayeshKitukale

The attached code does not work, can you attach zipped complete code that works?
In the above snippet
Public Class ctlHeader
is not derieved from anywhere?

hqdev

ASKER

I can't, the system doesn't allow vb project files in the zip.
It's a copy of my code that works on my system.
Maybe it's because I use VS2008.
To test it do the following:
Just create a new class library project, add a user control named ctlHeader.vb and copy my code in the code behind part of the control.
In the control's designer, add a picturebox with any image in it.
You'll see that the buttons are created under the picture when you add buttons in the hDitems collection.

hqdev

ASKER

To test the control, you'll have to add a windows form application to the solution, drag a ctlHeader control on the form, and add buttons at design time in the HDItems collection.

JayeshKitukale

I have VS2008 too. But if you look at the code you have pasted the ctlHeader is not derived from anything!!!

hqdev

ASKER

I know, it doesn't have to be derived from something when it's a use control.
If you create a new user control, you'll only see the following.
Public Class UserControl1
End Class
It woks on my side!

JayeshKitukale

I tried what you mean and it appears to work as it should. I see the buttons in front of the picture (picture is in the background as expected)!!!

JayeshKitukale

actually I added
Public Class ctlHeader Inherits UserControl
without which it does not work.
Actually in your code you need to check the partial class which actually derives from uerscontrol.
if you want to see, copy the code you have pasted above in a new project and make it work as you suggested. It will not work!

hqdev

ASKER

Wow, thats weird, on my side the buttons are created under the picture!
I'll start from scrach, to see if it works.

hqdev

ASKER

I just started a new project, and did exactly what I said in my post to create the control and it works.
Maybe it's because I use the "Windows Form Control Library" template for my controls project .
Oh, and I still have the same display order problem in my new project!!

JayeshKitukale

Ok, just for your information, every control you create has to derive from UserControl. To see, do this:
In the Solution Explorer, click on the second toolbar button(Show All Files) at the top, you will see additional file under your control class file, open it to see the inherits statement.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

hqdev

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