I remember that sick feeling I got when I finally saw the ad for the custom control that would let me add "Help Tips" to my programs, and then saw the price for the VBX! No thanks! It's amazing what a few label controls and some basic use of the MouseMove event can do for a poor, well-meaning slob like myself! (This is so easy it's almost embarrasing!) Move the cursor over the controls to see what I mean.
Label15
I will if you will. You first!
Label14
I'll go home now. (Sob)
Label13
You really really like me!
Label12
What exactly are you saying?
Label11
I actually LIKED the 5.25 disk!
Label9
*I don't think you're funny at all, Mister!
Panel3D2
SSPanel
Command3D3
SSCommand
Button D
Command3D2
SSCommand
Button B
Command3D1
SSCommand
Button A
Panel3D5
SSPanel
Label8
?Run the cursor over the command buttons and watch the help bar.
Label10
The "Help Bar" is yet another way to offer users of your increadible new program tips, hints, or cheap help. It's also extremely easy to do. SImply add a 3D panel to the bottom or top of the screen and then, just like the "Tip" rip-off, you attach code to the MouseMove event of whichever control you care to offer help for. (Can I get in trouble for this?)
Panel3D1
SSPanel
Command3D11
SSCommand
Command3D11
Command3D8
SSCommand
Command3D7
SSCommand
Click Here To Start
Label19
Click on Arnie!
Arial
Label18
For this one, you definately want to check out the general declarations section of the form to see how to call the MMSYSTEM.DLL that makes us look so damn great. Warning: Playing this demo without a sound card will cause the monitor to explode, showering your body with shards of broken glass! (Really!)
Label17
Multimedia is cool. And Visual Basic is a most excellent tool to create outrageous multimedia apps with... if you can figure it out! The books tell you practically nothing. It's a conspiracy! A conspiracy, I tell you! No! No! I LOVED that little dog! I swear... sorry. What was I saying? Oh. Yeah. This little demo will show you how to play MIDI and WAV files simultaneously without the MCI control, all while standing on your head! (I can't actually do that, but you can try if you really want to. Just don't let anybody see you doing it.)
Panel3D4
SSPanel
Label7
I have, on the other hand, been blessed (?) with the questionable ability to fake just about anything I want to, if the payoff is rewarding and I do know I won't get caught or castrated. So... These tabs are simply bitmaps stacked on Image controls and toggled by clicking the appropriate label attached to each tab header. The bitmaps were drawn in Paintbrush and you can play with the source code to get a clear enough idea that you can tell your friends that you wrote the whole thing yourself! Pretty painless, huh?
Label6
Although there are many third party custom controls available to afford the VB programmer this option, many are expensive or cumbersome, and add the extra complexity of yet another VBX to deal with! Still, There are other amazing programmers who are skilled enough to create the tab metaphor with code alone, but I, not being one of them, have a difficult time understanding some of the advanced logic. (I try to be honest!)
Label5
Notebook style "tabs" have become extremely popular mostly due to their implementation throughout some of the newer word processor and spreadsheet applications.
Please note that, in creating this little demo, I have completely neglected error trapping. Also, some examples will display differently should the user have an EGA monitor. You should take these issues into consideration should you decide to use any of these ideas.
There is one thing...
cmd_quit_Click
cmd_tabs_Click
1) Add an Image Control to the form.
2) Place a Tab bitmap on the Image Control.
3) Draw and size a 3D Panel on the Bitmap.
4) Add other components as neccessary.
5) Repeat for other tabbed pages.
Tabbed Notebook
Command3D1_Click
I thought I told you that this button didn't do nuthin! Now click OK and get back to work!
What are you doing?!
Command3D1_MouseMove
This button don't do nuthin...!
Command3D10_Click
Boing.wav
Fish.wav
Command3D2_Click
Alright, that does it! You're getting a spanking!
Oh, oh. Dad's awake!
Command3D2_MouseMove
This button don't do nuthin neither!
Command3D3_Click
I'm holding Button C hostage until Bill Gates admits that I'm his illegitimate son and takes me home where I belong! (Think he'll fall for it? Ssssshhhhhh.....)
News Flash!
Command3D3_MouseMove
What the hell happened to Button C...?!
Command3D4_Click
You know, there may be some people who don't appreciate what I'm doing here. Hhhhmmmmmmm. (Hee hee!)
Don't shoot the messenger!
Command3D4_MouseMove
Command3D5_Click
There was just something about those 5.25 disks. The soft cover, the pliable texture, the...oh,oh. Excuse me for a minute...
The good old days?
Command3D5_MouseMove
Command3D6_Click
I hope you're having as much fun as I am here! (You are, aren't you?!!!)
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