So far I not having trouble with programming but I am having trouble adjusting the appearance of my application. I know how to change the properties of a form using the "Properties" window but I can't figure out how to take it past this step...

For instance, I can change the appearance of a button to look normal or flat using the "Properties" window of the button. However, how do I get the button to look round and stylish, like seen in Office 11? Can this be done with windows forms? Is there a good tutorial anyone can point me to?

Thanks!

P.S. I am using Visual Studio .NET 2003, programming with Visual Basic...

You can create a nice look by playing with some GDI+, it is fun, easy and a good result.
Here is a nice tutorial for GDI+, http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/2/gdi_plus.asp.

You can take a look at codeproject, here are some nice articles about how to create your own control, a little list:

• Writing your Custom Control: step by step
• Your first C# control
• Miscellaneous C# Control list

I hope this helps.

You can set the FlatStyle property value to System and put Application.EnableVisualStyle in you main method:

Public Shared Sub Main()     Application.EnableVisualStyles()     Application.DoEvents     '...

Now your controls have the XP Style look when you run the application on a XP machine. When you want nice looking Office Like control you can look for some third party controls or create your own one.

Thanks for the information!

As far as nice looking controls, does anyone have any pointers on doing so? I would much rather learn how to create my own than buy/use third party controls. A good tutorial, or maybe a webpage perhaps?

 

Thanks...

You can create a nice look by playing with some GDI+, it is fun, easy and a good result.
Here is a nice tutorial for GDI+, http://www.c-sharpcorner.com/2/gdi_plus.asp.

You can take a look at codeproject, here are some nice articles about how to create your own control, a little list:

• Writing your Custom Control: step by step
• Your first C# control
• Miscellaneous C# Control list

I hope this helps.