Sizing Framework

Environment:VC++ 6.0, NT 4.0, Win95/98, W2K

Introduction

The WTL possibilities to build sizeable graphical user interface exists but was not fitting my needs so I decided to port the excellent framework from Paul DiLascia ‘Windows UI: Our WinMgr Sample Makes Custom Window Sizing Simple’ published in the July 2001 issue of MSDN Magazine. To understand all the principle of the framework, please read the original article.

The port was almost straightforward. I just added the gripper to the dialog.

Usage


To use the framework you need first to add those files to your project:

  • WinMgr.h

  • WinMgr.cpp

  • WinRect.cpp

  • SizeableDlg.h

Your dialog needs then to inherit from the class CDialogSizeable like this:

class CTestDlg :
    public CDialogSizeable<CTestDlg>,
    public CDialogImpl<CTestDlg>

In the OnInitDialog() event handler, add as first line the following:

LRESULT CTestDlg::OnInitDialog( HWND hwnd, LPARAM  lParam)
{
    BOOL bRet =
       CDialogSizeable<CTestDlg>::OnInitDialog(hwnd,
                                                     lParam);
   ...
}

Add the following macro to your main message map:

BEGIN_MSG_MAP_EX(CTestDlg)
    ...
    MESSAGE_HANDLER_EX(WM_WINMGR, OnWinMgr)
    ...
END_MSG_MAP()

And the the method to your dialog class (get more information on the original article):

///////////////////
// Handle WM_WINMGR: return min size for OK/Cancel buttons
//
LRESULT CTestDlg::OnWinMgr(UINT uMsg, WPARAM wp, LPARAM lp)
{
   ATLASSERT(lp);
   NMWINMGR& nmw = *(NMWINMGR*)lp;

   if ( nmw.code == NMWINMGR::GET_SIZEINFO )
   {
       if ( wp==IDOK || wp==IDCANCEL )
       {
           nmw.sizeinfo.szMin = m_szMinButton;
           return TRUE;
       }
   }
   return 0;
}

Build the Window map in the cpp file of your dialog class, i.e.:

BEGIN_WINDOW_MAP(TestDlgMap)
BEGINROWS(WRCT_REST,0,RCMARGINS(8,8))
 BEGINCOLS(WRCT_REST,0,0)
  BEGINROWS(WRCT_REST,4,RCMARGINS(-4,-4))
   RCTOFIT(IDC_STATIC1)
   RCSPACE(-4)
    BEGINROWS(WRCT_TOFIT,IDC_GROUP1,RCMARGINS(-8,-8))
     RCSPACE(-10)
    RCTOFIT(IDC_RADIO1)
    RCTOFIT(IDC_RADIO2)
    ENDGROUP()
  ENDGROUP()
  RCPERCENT(IDC_EDIT1,50)
 ENDGROUP()
 RCSPACE(-4)
 RCTOFIT(IDC_STATIC2)
 RCTOFIT(IDC_SLIDER1)
 BEGINCOLS(WRCT_TOFIT,0,0)
  RCREST(-1)
  BEGINROWS(WRCT_TOFIT,0,0)
    RCTOFIT(IDOK)
    RCSPACE(-2)
    RCTOFIT(IDCANCEL)
  ENDGROUP()
 ENDGROUP()
ENDGROUP()
END_WINDOW_MAP()

Add finally the following to the constructor of your dialog:

CTestDlg::CTestDlg( ) :
    CDialogSizeable<CTestDlg>( TestDlgMap )
{
    ...

Now enjoy your sizing dialog.

Faced Problems


None (at the moment).

About Laurent Kempi

I am originally from Mulhouse, east of France, and currently searching for a new job. In 1995, I was graduated Software Engineer in ESSAIM Higher School of Engineering. I develop mainly in C++ for Windows platforms and I have a strong knowledge of the Windows security/logging system. I am currently digging in XML, SOAP and actively learning C# and .Net platform.
I have knowledge in Object Oriented Design, UML, Design Patterns and be familiar with COM/COM+, DCOM, ATL/WTL, STL, MFC.

Click here to visit Tech Head, Laurent Kempi’s homepage.

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