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Create Gadget Style Windows in WPF

WPF makes it easy to completely customize the look and feel (chrome) of application windows including creating custom shapes and enabling transparency.  Utilizing these features, it is an easy task to create gadget style applications, applications that appear to be application objects that float on the desktop.  This is very similar to the gadgets in use in the Vista Sidebar.  In this presentation Todd Miranda demonstrates the five things needed to create this type of application window. 

Author: Todd Miranda

Posted: Aug 09 2007, 06:39 PM by jaytayl | with 6 comment(s)
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Comments

Christian Bergau said:

Very easy and cool.

# July 30, 2008 1:09 PM

tmiranda said:

Christian,

  I am glad you like it.  The video is really meant to give an introduction to the topic and spur more thought.  It really is quite easy and there are some really interesting possibilities!

Thanks,

Todd

# August 7, 2008 1:34 AM

basem3wad said:

Thank you .. great video .. but how can we customize the MessageBox to be gadget like window ??

# October 23, 2008 5:09 PM

tmiranda said:

I would suggest that to get the true Gadget-style interface, you create a custom dialog to use as your "MessageBox".  It will give you the control you would like to have it reflect the "gadget" interface.  Ultimately, you have made your "gadget" app window look like a gadget app by setting specific properties to eliminate all the default UI elements of a window.  So by creating your own custom dialog, you can do the same.

Todd

# October 27, 2008 5:31 PM

wisecarver said:

Super'rific! :-)

# October 29, 2008 3:35 PM

daminci said:

This is a short, concise, a great “How To”. Thanks.

# November 16, 2009 7:29 PM