StrataFrame Forum

StrataCollapsibleContainer test results (so far)

http://forum.strataframe.net/Topic25083.aspx

By Greg McGuffey - 10/30/2009

I'm been playing with the new extended UI controls and I like them very much.



I have found some bugs and have some suggestions though. BigGrin



I'm running 1.7.0.2 on XP.



1. There are some drawing issues with the actions. At runtime, if I change the text, making it longer, the item doesn't resize. If I change the text to something shorter, part of the bottom border and right side border are shown, however, it does eventually invalidate and redraw, though I haven't figured out what causes that invalidation. At design time, it seems to like shortening text (it resizes items then), but not making the text longer.



2. If either the header text or the header detail text renders longer than width of the control, it just isn't shown. They also appear to get rendered under the collapse/expand button. It'd be nice to have an AutoEllipsis button like labels have and to not render under the button.



3. I'd be nice if the there was a declarative method to associate StrataCollapsibleContainers to the link manager (in addition to the code method). I think there might be a couple of ways. One would be to implement the link manager as a property provider (like the tooltip or error providers). However, if you wanted more than on set on a form at once, this could get confusing (though if you don't provide a DisplayName attribute, it provides the name of the object in the property grid). Another option might be to have a link manager property as part of the StrataCollapsibleContainer. When set it would then automatically add itself to that container.



4. It would also be nice if the link manager just had a mechanism to set which container was shown initially, with the rest hidden, rather than having to remember to set that up manually every time.



Great job. Look forward to the next release!
By Greg McGuffey - 10/30/2009

A couple of more comments. I realize these might already have been implemented or on the schedule, but just in case...



1. I'm not seeing how to change the look of the collapsible container (colors mainly). How is this done?

2. There appears to be no way to set if the container is initially collapsed or expanded via a property. Am I missing something?
By Trent L. Taylor - 10/30/2009



1. I'm not seeing how to change the look of the collapsible container (colors mainly). How is this done?




At present, you don't. Follows themes only. Will provide additional functionality upon release.



2. There appears to be no way to set if the container is initially collapsed or expanded via a property. Am I missing something?




Yes. Set the IsBodyShown property.
By Greg McGuffey - 10/30/2009

Thanks! The IsBodyShown property is currently not shown in the designer (Browsable(false) and DesignerSerializationVisibility(Hidden)). I'm assuming that will be changed before final release.



Also, don't forget the original post. BigGrin
By Trent L. Taylor - 10/30/2009

Thanks! The IsBodyShown property is currently not shown in the designer (Browsable(false) and DesignerSerializationVisibility(Hidden)). I'm assuming that will be changed before final release.




Hmmm...maybe. I will have to re-investigate. This should only be respected at run-time as you add your content within the body at design time. So it is actually worked as designed presently and would be the same on the final release.
By Greg McGuffey - 10/30/2009

I agree this shouldn't do anything at design time, but, as it is in the ThemeContainer and its InitialBodyVisibility, it should be settable in the designer. Or there should be a property like this, just to indicate what the IsBodyShown property is initially. Interestingly, all the other attributes are already on the IsBodyShown (category, description, default value). Thanks for making this a great control! BigGrin
By Trent L. Taylor - 11/3/2009

Yeah, I see your point. We could just ignore it at design-time possibly. Thanks. Smile
By Trent L. Taylor - 11/3/2009

Also, I will look into the original post more when we "finalize" this control for release. Thanks for testing it!
By Greg McGuffey - 11/3/2009

Thanks Trent. I look forward to the next iteration of the controls! BigGrin