I was hoping I could create a "base" SF Maintenance form that will contain standard code and components, e.g. DefaultLookAndFeel, then inherit this form whenever I create a new form. I have my base form called frmBase_01 and, the code in my test form that is trying use the base form is:

Public Class frmBase_02
   Inherits TMS_Test_01.frmBase_01
End Class

 This generate the error:
"Error 1 Base class 'frmBase_01' specified for class 'frmBase_02' cannot be different from the base class 'MicroFour.StrataFrame.UI.Windows.Forms.StandardForm' of one of its other partial types. C:\Documents and Settings\pmj\My Documents\Visual Studio 2005\Projects\TMS_Test_01\TMS_Test_01\frmBase_02.vb"

Try as I may I just can't stumble my way past this error - can you please point me in the right direction. The recent work I've done with creating a "base" BO class works great but I notice that, for forms, the inheritence is in the partial class - I guess this is a fundemental difference that stops my base BO approach working when trying to achieve the same outcome for a form.

Cheers, Peter

That is it, the $safeitemname$ is already going to be in the template you unzipped. As for the "vstemplate" file, I think you might have to add a reference to your project, and I had to create a Strong Name Key to my "_base" project to reference there, think that the guys will tell you more about this. The resx file will need to be changed if you inserted anything in your form as an icon, or something like that, then I expect that your resx file template will need to have that too.

How have you created your form template? I, first of all, subclassed the SF StandardForm :

So, this is what my PFNStandardForm starts with.

Then, my maintenance form template will inherit from this PFNStandardForm, which will be PFNMaintenanceForm:

This way, it is possible to add code to the PFNStandardForm in the future, and have all my maintenance forms already created inherit the changes. I hope...

Have a great Easter.

It looks like the light came on in your last post .  There is not much to add to Ivan's post...he is exactly right.  Let us know if you have any troubles.