How do I create a custom control using a picturebox control?

Question

Hi all :) I'm using vb10.

I want to create a custom button out of a picturebox control.  There will be four different pictures displayed depending on the mouse.

If mouse_enter display graphics 1 on control. If mouse_down display graphics 2 on control. If mouse_up display graphics 3 on control. If mouse_leave display graphics 4 on control.

Any links on how to create a custom controls? Or walk thru? Or any examples?

Answer 1

Lord Odyssey;

Try this:

Public Class Form1

  Private Sub PictureBox1_MouseEnter(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles PictureBox1.MouseEnter
    Me.PictureBox1.Image = Image.FromFile("C:\Test\IMG1.jpg")
  End Sub

  Private Sub PictureBox1_MouseDown(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles PictureBox1.MouseDown
    Me.PictureBox1.Image = Image.FromFile("C:\Test\IMG2.jpg")
  End Sub

  Private Sub PictureBox1_MouseUp(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.MouseEventArgs) Handles PictureBox1.MouseUp
    Me.PictureBox1.Image = Image.FromFile("C:\Test\IMG3.jpg")
  End Sub

  Private Sub PictureBox1_MouseLeave(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles PictureBox1.MouseLeave
    Me.PictureBox1.Image = Image.FromFile("C:\Test\IMG4.jpg")
  End Sub
End Class

Of course you can change the Picture.Image Event in My.Ressources ..

But basically that what yiu where asking for. So I hope.

---

Liebe Grüße Stefan | Cheers Stefan I'm using VB 2008 Express

Answer 2

Sorry I should have givin more info. I just gave a simple example. I know how to do those things.

I want to be able to add the new custom control that I create from an existing control or a new control I create from scratch to the toolbox for my future projects.

Answer 3

Maybe I didn't understand you also correct now, but lets have a new try.

You want to create a new control while the program is running. This control shoul look like another control (for first time?)

 Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
    Dim NPB As New PictureBox
    Me.Controls.Add(NPB)
    Dim OPB As Object = Me.PictureBox1
    NPB.Height = OPB.Height
    NPB.Left = OPB.Left
    NPB.Width = OPB.Width
    NPB.Top = OPB.Top + PictureBox1.Height + 5
    NPB.Image = OPB.Image

  End Sub

I put it on a ButtonClick Event now. Hope this is what you are looking for.

---

Liebe Grüße Stefan | Cheers Stefan I'm using VB 2008 Express

Answer 4

You know how you create a new form and add controls to it at design time from the toolbox, I want to be able to design a new control and add it to the tool box so I can use it in my future programs.

I want to create a new enhanced button control using the picturebox control. I've already written all of the code to draw the graphics on the button and all of the events to interact with the control. I just need to know how to add it to the toolbox for later use.

Answer 5

Hi Lord Odyssey

 How do I make a custom Control?
        http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/forums/en-us/Vsexpressvb/thread/6C0DB9A2-E539-49C7-9292-1246BAA5F861
        Question about Properties in Custom Controls
        http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/Vsexpressvb/thread/d322ddde-d102-4dce-b2d2-81fc27b5edd3
        Walkthrough: Authoring a User Control with Visual Basic .NET
        http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/c316f119(vs.71).aspx
        The Code Project in C# Writing your Custom Control: step by step
        http://www.codeproject.com/KB/miscctrl/cutebutton.aspx
        Create a custom WPF control
        http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc295235.aspx
        Developing Custom ASP.NET Server Controls
        http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/zt27tfhy.aspx
        Control Authoring Overview
        http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms745025.aspx
        How to add control to the toolbox
        http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/Vsexpressvb/thread/21283cb6-2898-4826-b2f4-1f777803330e

 

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Be nice and courteous always, with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Give a person a fish, and you feed him/her for a day. Teach a person to fish, and you feed him/her for life. Thank you for your time and help. We always be greatful.

Answer 6

My question was misleading, I should have asked "How do I create a custom control using a picturebox to add to the toolbox for future use"

Sorry my bad :(

Answer 7

Thanks for your reply VBStudy :)

Looking thru the links you gave me I noticed I need the Windows Control Library Template. I'm using Visual Basic 10 Express and it doesn't have this :(

So the only way I can create new controls to add to the tool box is to upgrade to Visual Basic 10 Professional?

Answer 8

My mistake. My english is not very good so sometimes I misunderstand the question.

For a better undserstanding:

Which controls are existing?

Which controls do you want create whith which event. Which toolbox we are talking about?

 

---

Liebe Grüße Stefan | Cheers Stefan I'm using VB 2008 Express

Answer 9

Thanks for you time Giftzwockel :)

Both of your examples would work fine if I only needed to create the object in code.

VBStudy sent me in the right direction.

Answer 10

Just curious why, as you want to create a custom button, you feel it necessary to use a picturebox.

Why not create a new class which inherits from button and add the necessary code to change the image.

If you want to reuse this in other applications then create it as a class library and build it as a dll which you can then add to any project which needs it.

Answer 11

Thanks Dave299 for your response. :)

 

I'm using Visual Basic 10 Express. I can't find the class library template. I've been told you can't make a dll file in vb10 express.

Is there a workaround for this?

Answer 12

I'm using Visual Basic 10 Express. I can't find the class library template.

Then there is something wrong with your installation.  File | New Project should display a list of project types which includes Class Library.

I've been told you can't make a dll file in vb10 express.

You've been misinformed.

 

Answer 13

Thanks Dave for your help I found it.