Visual Basic UseSkin Sample

    You can find the sample code in "samples\vb\useskin" directory. It's written in Visual Basic 5.0.

    Here are the detailed steps to create the UseSkin Magic Applications:

• Create Skins
• Insert MagicShape, MagicButton ActiveX into project
• Modify the dialog box in design time
• Add Runtime code
• Event Processing
• Morphing

Create Skins

    Follow the instructions here to create skins. The skins created should be put in a separate directory under the project. In the UseSkin sample we put it under "skins" directory

Insert MagicShape, MagicButton ActiveX into project

    In Visual Basic select menu "Project",  "Components",  "Components" dialog box will come up.  In the list box select "JCSoft MagicShape 1.0 Type Library" and "JCSoft MagicShape 1.0 Type Library" click "Apply" to inserted two ActiveX into your project

Modify the dialog box in design time

    You will see two ActiveX controls in the control palette. Drag MagicShape ActiveX control to the form. You can place it anywhere because it's invisible during Runtime. But you should only put one MagicShape control in the dialog box. Set "ImageSkin" Property to the background image. You won't see the background image during design time but you will notice the form resize based on the image size. This will help you layout controls in the form. 

    Now drap drop MagicButton ActiveX control to the dialog box. Set the "ImagePath" property. You will see the image inside the form. You can add as many MagicButton controls as you like. 

Add Runtime code

    In Form_Load() add following to set skin for each control

    MagicShape1.ImageSkin = App.Path + "\skins\background.bmp"
    LeftBall.ImagePath = App.Path + "\skins\circblue.bmp"
    RightBall.ImagePath = App.Path + "\skins\circblue.bmp"
    SquareButton.ImagePath = App.Path + "\skins\square.bmp"
    Cancel.ImagePath = App.Path + "\skins\cancel.bmp"

Event Processing

    MagicButtons will send "Clicked" event. You process the event just like you process stardard window button events. Double click on the MagicButton controls to add event handling codes

Morphing

    Morphing is achieved by changing the skin for the MagicShape ActiveX. You use SetImageSkin to change the skin:

    MagicShape1.ImageSkin = App.Path + "\skins\background1.bmp"

    In the UseSkin sample, if you click on the left ball the skin will change to Ellipse. If you click on the square button the skin will change to rounded rectangle shape.