asked on

Render Taskbar Button

Hi All,
I try to make an AppBar and I'd like to have some Buttons on it.
So far, everthing is ok. But I try to give my buttons the style of the taskbar buttons. Same background, same mouse over effect, same everything...
I tried using VisualStyleRenderer but no luck.
Any ideas?
Thanks

dungla

Your application don't work on XP OS?

dungla

I think you should check VisualStyles is enabled or not on selected theme.
Check out this link:
http://www.devnewsgroups.net/group/microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.windowsforms/topic37106.aspx

Hope this helps

michael2705

ASKER

Thanks so far. Maybe you missunderstood me. I know how to use the VisualStyleRenderer but I just can't find the TaskBarButtonBackground and Edges in the list of the VisualStyleElements.

dungla

for back ground, you can use sub-class of VisualStyleElement.Taskbar including: BackgroundTop, BackgroundBottom, BackgroundLeft and BackgroundRight.
For Edges you can use DrawEdge method (VisualStyleRenderer.DrawEdge return Rectangle)

michael2705

ASKER

Sounds good, but I can't follow you.
On Vista, for example, the buttons have rounded edges...
I just post what I've got so far.

class MyButton : Button
    {
        public MyButton()
            : base()
        {
 
        }
 
        protected override void OnPaint(PaintEventArgs pevent)
        {
            VisualStyleElement el = VisualStyleElement.Taskbar.BackgroundBottom.Normal;
            VisualStyleRenderer r = new VisualStyleRenderer(el);
            r.DrawBackground(pevent.Graphics, this.ClientRectangle);
            r.DrawEdge(pevent.Graphics, this.ClientRectangle, Edges.Left, EdgeStyle.Etched, EdgeEffects.None);
            r.DrawEdge(pevent.Graphics, this.ClientRectangle, Edges.Top, EdgeStyle.Etched, EdgeEffects.None);
            r.DrawEdge(pevent.Graphics, this.ClientRectangle, Edges.Right, EdgeStyle.Etched, EdgeEffects.None);
            r.DrawEdge(pevent.Graphics, this.ClientRectangle, Edges.Bottom, EdgeStyle.Etched, EdgeEffects.None);
        }
    }

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michael2705

ASKER

Still no idea!

dungla

So actually if you want to draw round button, you must use GraphicsPath (System.Drawing.Drawing2D namespace) instead of using VisualStyleRenderer. There are a lot of sample, have a look.

http://www.xtremedotnettalk.com/showthread.php?t=77290
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/buttons/aquabutton.aspx

michael2705

ASKER

Thanks. But, that still doesn't help me to determine the current visual sytle of the taskBarButton.

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michael2705

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dungla

Congratulation! :)

michael2705