Introduction
Why another Tool Strip or Status Strip?
The standard ToolStrip/StatusStrip is too limited in functionality and I couldn't find a custom control written that did all that I wanted. This is a User Control with Microsoft Office 2007 Visual Style. It is simple to use, just drop it on the form, and use it like the normal ToolStrip or StatusStrip Control.
![Clipboard01.jpg]()
Background
MBToolStrip/MBStatusStrip is a ToolStrip/StatusStrip which inherits all the properties of a simple ToolStrip and StatusStrip control. I added Microsoft Office 2007 like Visuals in MBMenuStrip/MBToolStrip. The language used is VB.NET. There are so many classes which provides the same functionality, but for that we have to write a minimum two lines of code to add that rendered class to our application. MBToolStrip/MBStatusStrip is the MenuStrip which already contains the MBMenuRenderer Class. You just add the reference of MBToolStrip.Dll and use it by Dragging and Dropping in your application.
Code
The concept for this Tool Strip came from the Microsoft Office 2007 Tool Strip and Status Strip. I organized methods of MBMenuRenderer into layers like this:
Following are the methods which are responsible for rendering a simple Tool Strip and Status Strip like Microsoft Office.
This method Render Background of MBToolStrip/MBStatusStrip item:
Private Sub RenderToolButtonBackground(ByVal g As Graphics, ByVal button As ToolStripButton, ByVal toolstrip As ToolStrip)
If (button.Enabled) Then
If (button.Checked) Then
If (button.Pressed) Then
DrawGradientToolItem(g, button, _itemToolItemPressedColors)
ElseIf (button.Selected) Then
DrawGradientToolItem(g, button, _itemToolItemCheckPressColors)
Else
DrawGradientToolItem(g, button, _itemToolItemCheckedColors)
End If
Else
If (button.Pressed) Then
DrawGradientToolItem(g, button, _itemToolItemPressedColors)
ElseIf (button.Selected) Then
DrawGradientToolItem(g, button, _itemToolItemSelectedColors)
End If
End If
Else
If (button.Selected) Then
Dim mousePos As Point = toolstrip.PointToClient(Control.MousePosition)
If (Not button.Bounds.Contains(mousePos)) Then DrawGradientToolItem(g, button, _itemDisabledColors)
End If
End If
End Sub
This method Render Image of MBToolStrip/MBStatusStrip Item:
Protected Overrides Sub OnRenderItemImage(ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItemImageRenderEventArgs)
If TypeOf (e.ToolStrip) Is ContextMenuStrip Or TypeOf (e.ToolStrip) Is ToolStripDropDownMenu Then
If Not (e.Image Is Nothing) Then
If (e.Item.Enabled) Then
e.Graphics.DrawImage(e.Image, e.ImageRectangle)
Else
ControlPaint.DrawImageDisabled(e.Graphics, e.Image, _
e.ImageRectangle.X, _
e.ImageRectangle.Y, _
Color.Transparent)
End If
End If
Else
MyBase.OnRenderItemImage(e)
End If
End Sub
This method Handles Text of MBToolStrip/MBStatusStrip:
Protected Overrides Sub OnRenderItemText(ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.ToolStripItemTextRenderEventArgs)
If TypeOf (e.ToolStrip) Is MenuStrip Or TypeOf (e.ToolStrip) Is ToolStrip Or _
TypeOf (e.ToolStrip) Is ContextMenuStrip Or _
TypeOf (e.ToolStrip) Is ToolStripDropDownMenu Then
If (Not e.Item.Enabled) Then
e.TextColor = _textDisabled
Else
If (TypeOf (e.ToolStrip) Is MenuStrip And Not e.Item.Pressed And Not e.Item.Selected) Then
e.TextColor = _textMenuStripItem
ElseIf (TypeOf (e.ToolStrip) Is StatusStrip And Not e.Item.Pressed And Not e.Item.Selected) Then
e.TextColor = _textStatusStripItem
Else
e.TextColor = _textContextMenuItem
End If
Using clearTypeGridFit As UseClearTypeGridFit = New UseClearTypeGridFit(e.Graphics)
MyBase.OnRenderItemText(e)
End Using
End If
Else
MyBase.OnRenderItemText(e)
End If
End Sub
Using the Code
It is very easy to use the MBToolStrip/MBStatusStrip in your application. Just add the reference of the provided DLL to your application and just drag and drop.
![Clipboard02.jpg]()
History
MBToolStrip and MBStatusStrip Version 1.0.