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Manifest Files

BlitzMax Forums/MaxGUI Module/Manifest Files

Ked(Posted 2008) [#1]
Can you use manifest files to change the way your application looks? I don't mean that I want to make it XP or Vista style. I mean really change the look of it. (Change window border and caption design/color, button design, scroll bar design, etc.)

Thanks.


grable(Posted 2008) [#2]
No, the manifest can only change what version of Common Controls your app should link to.


Ked(Posted 2008) [#3]
Is there a way for me to do what I want without having to create canvases?


grable(Posted 2008) [#4]
There is, but it is not an easy task ;)

This is Windows specific:
You can Override the drawing of most parts of A Window via the WndFunc, but that is time consuming and error prone.
And you can also use the XP Theme Engine to draw your controls , but you still need to know about win32 internals.

You might be better off just making your own gui via a canvas.

Btw, there are tools that hook into your app and "skin" it for you, like WindowBlinds, or ShellWM (the latter is open source, so might be worth a look)