Resizing a Custom Label control?

Perhaps you can use Graphics.MeasureString() to help determine an appropriate size for your Label/Form?

Mike,

Using the example that MSDN provided...if I call this routine, what do I need to pass as an argument into this Sub? Is there a way to avoid using that argument?

Private Sub MeasureStringMin(ByVal e As PaintEventArgs)

    ' Set up string. 
    Dim measureString As String = "Measure String" 
    Dim stringFont As New Font("Arial", 16)

    ' Measure string. 
    Dim stringSize As New SizeF
    stringSize = e.Graphics.MeasureString(measureString, stringFont)

    ' Draw rectangle representing size of string.
    e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(New Pen(Color.Red, 1), 0.0F, 0.0F, _
    stringSize.Width, stringSize.Height)

    ' Draw string to screen.
    e.Graphics.DrawString(measureString, stringFont, Brushes.Black, _
    New PointF(0, 0))
End Sub

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For the example, it'd work best to pass "e.Graphics" from the Paint() event of the Form (or something else).

For your actual scenario, it would suffice to use "Me.CreateGraphics" and use that for measuring.  Be sure to Dispose of any Graphics that YOU create.  *Don't try to dispose of the graphics from the Paint() event.

Ok, I think I'm pretty lost. Here is my code:

    Private Sub ShowLoadStatusMessage(ByVal strMsg As String, ByVal blnShowStatus As Boolean, ByVal e As PaintEventArgs)

        Try
            'mlStatusMessage is the Label Control
            Dim stringFont As New Font(mlStatusMessage.Font, Font.Bold)
            Dim stringSize As New SizeF

            EH.ErrorMessage = String.Empty

            mlLoadStatus.Text = strMsg
            mlLoadStatus.Left = (mlLoadStatus.Width - mlLoadStatus.Width) / 2
            mlLoadStatus.Top = (mlLoadStatus.Height - mlLoadStatus.Height) / 2
            mlLoadStatus.BringToFront()

            If blnShowStatus Then
                mlLoadStatus.Visible = True
            Else
                mlLoadStatus.Visible = False
            End If

            stringSize = e.Graphics.MeasureString(strMsg, stringFont)

            ' Draw rectangle representing size of string.
            e.Graphics.DrawRectangle(New Pen(Color.Red, 1), 0.0F, 0.0F, stringSize.Width, stringSize.Height)

            ' Draw string to screen.
            'e.Graphics.DrawString(strMsg, stringFont, Brushes.Black, New PointF(0, 0))

        Catch ex As Exception
            EH.ErrorMessage = "frmCalibration_3/ShowLoadStatusMessage() - " & ex.Message & "...Contact Engineering!" & "~E"
        End Try
    End Sub

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Try something like:

    Private Sub ShowLoadStatusMessage(ByVal strMsg As String, ByVal blnShowStatus As Boolean)

        Try
            'mlStatusMessage is the Label Control
            Dim stringFont As New Font(mlStatusMessage.Font, Font.Bold)
            Dim stringSize As New SizeF

            EH.ErrorMessage = String.Empty

            mlLoadStatus.Text = strMsg
            mlLoadStatus.Left = (mlLoadStatus.Width - mlLoadStatus.Width) / 2
            mlLoadStatus.Top = (mlLoadStatus.Height - mlLoadStatus.Height) / 2
            mlLoadStatus.BringToFront()

            If blnShowStatus Then
                mlLoadStatus.Visible = True
            Else
                mlLoadStatus.Visible = False
            End If

            Dim G As Graphics = Me.CreateGraphics()
            stringSize = G.MeasureString(strMsg, stringFont)

            ' ... now do something in here with "stringSize" and your label, "mlStatusMessage" ...

            G.Dispose()

        Catch ex As Exception
            EH.ErrorMessage = "frmCalibration_3/ShowLoadStatusMessage() - " & ex.Message & "...Contact Engineering!" & "~E"
        End Try
    End Sub

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Hi Mike,

That worked great with just one exception. If you look at the attached Screenshot.jpg, you'll notice that the wording is not centered. Also, look at the coding screenshot (Screenshot2.jpg) and you'll see what I did to try and rectify that issue. It's not working so I'm not sure how to handle that. If this were a web form, I could just manipulate the Label using the Padding attributes (I think that's the properties to use?).
Screenshot.jpg
Screenshot2.jpg

Thanks Mike...that worked!