Need examples of extra nice program UI’s built for free with Windows Forms
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I've never written a program before but I've decided to do one using C#. I want a good looking (and free) UI, and I've decided to use either Windows Forms or WPF. I know WPF is snazzy, but can't a UI built on Windows Forms with only free components look good too? I've read that Paint.net was built on Winforms, but I don't think the UI is very attractive. It's just Windows-style. Are there any fresher looking programs whose UI's show how good Windows Forms can look with all free components? Thanks.
modified on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 12:12 AM
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I've never written a program before but I've decided to do one using C#. I want a good looking (and free) UI, and I've decided to use either Windows Forms or WPF. I know WPF is snazzy, but can't a UI built on Windows Forms with only free components look good too? I've read that Paint.net was built on Winforms, but I don't think the UI is very attractive. It's just Windows-style. Are there any fresher looking programs whose UI's show how good Windows Forms can look with all free components? Thanks.
modified on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 12:12 AM
If you've never written an application before, then diving straight in with a barrel load of custom controls and trying to generate a snazzy interface probably isn't the best way to learn... you may get something that "looks" good, but you're likely to have not learned anything from doing so! [edit]also.. don't duplicate your posts. you'll get eaten by the admins ;)[/edit]
modified on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 6:35 AM
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If you've never written an application before, then diving straight in with a barrel load of custom controls and trying to generate a snazzy interface probably isn't the best way to learn... you may get something that "looks" good, but you're likely to have not learned anything from doing so! [edit]also.. don't duplicate your posts. you'll get eaten by the admins ;)[/edit]
modified on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 6:35 AM
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Sk93, thanks for the reply. I know my ignorance is showing, but you're saying it complicates things to use custom controls? Can you tell me in what ways and to what degree? Thanks again.
That depends on the quality and complexity of the custom controls you use. Some have a nice object model that is easy to use and works very well. Others will probably force you to come up with your own work arounds or use other data objects besides the ones in the .NET Framework. Documentation may be lacking or non-existant. Support for those controls is going to come from the manufacturer of them, not any public forum like CP. ...
A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]
Dave Kreskowiak Microsoft MVP Visual Developer - Visual Basic
2006, 2007, 2008
But no longer in 2009... -
That depends on the quality and complexity of the custom controls you use. Some have a nice object model that is easy to use and works very well. Others will probably force you to come up with your own work arounds or use other data objects besides the ones in the .NET Framework. Documentation may be lacking or non-existant. Support for those controls is going to come from the manufacturer of them, not any public forum like CP. ...
A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]
Dave Kreskowiak Microsoft MVP Visual Developer - Visual Basic
2006, 2007, 2008
But no longer in 2009... -
Thanks Dave. So you happen to know how [Krypton](<a href=)[^] ranks in quality and complexity? These are the coolest free controls I've seen, and if feasible and if I don't find any better options, I'd like to use them
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Thanks Dave. So you happen to know how [Krypton](<a href=)[^] ranks in quality and complexity? These are the coolest free controls I've seen, and if feasible and if I don't find any better options, I'd like to use them
Don't know. Haven't used them. Don't care to... Use them all you want. You're the only person who can determine if they are going to work for you, based on your skill level. Personally, I'd suggest making the app work with the standard controls first, then worry about making it look pretty.
A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]
Dave Kreskowiak Microsoft MVP Visual Developer - Visual Basic
2006, 2007, 2008
But no longer in 2009... -
Don't know. Haven't used them. Don't care to... Use them all you want. You're the only person who can determine if they are going to work for you, based on your skill level. Personally, I'd suggest making the app work with the standard controls first, then worry about making it look pretty.
A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]
Dave Kreskowiak Microsoft MVP Visual Developer - Visual Basic
2006, 2007, 2008
But no longer in 2009...Thanks for the info Sk93.
Dave Kreskowiak wrote:
Personally, I'd suggest making the app work with the standard controls first, then worry about making it look pretty.
This seems like a good idea if it's not too much work to get everything working with one UI, then change it. Would this be preferable to using the desired UI from the beginning?
modified on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:35 PM
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Thanks for the info Sk93.
Dave Kreskowiak wrote:
Personally, I'd suggest making the app work with the standard controls first, then worry about making it look pretty.
This seems like a good idea if it's not too much work to get everything working with one UI, then change it. Would this be preferable to using the desired UI from the beginning?
modified on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:35 PM
Since you have no experience in building applications - yes.
A guide to posting questions on CodeProject[^]
Dave Kreskowiak Microsoft MVP Visual Developer - Visual Basic
2006, 2007, 2008
But no longer in 2009... -
I've never written a program before but I've decided to do one using C#. I want a good looking (and free) UI, and I've decided to use either Windows Forms or WPF. I know WPF is snazzy, but can't a UI built on Windows Forms with only free components look good too? I've read that Paint.net was built on Winforms, but I don't think the UI is very attractive. It's just Windows-style. Are there any fresher looking programs whose UI's show how good Windows Forms can look with all free components? Thanks.
modified on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 12:12 AM
You have a steep learning curve to deal with, work with the basics of data and manipluting that data first. Your question is like someone deciding to build a car and discussing the paint type, almost totally irrelevant at your stage.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH