Creating my First Windows Application - UI problem

[Asad]

Hi,

I am trying to write my first Windows application using VB.NET and I
am having some difficulties designing the UI.

Basically its one Windows Form with 4 menus on the top (no drop
downs). When you click on any of the menu the UI changes. For instance
clicking on the first menu shows a bunch of textboxes allowing the
user to enter some information and click a button. The next menu will
let user choose a file from a dropdown menu and display it in a rich
text box. Etc.

The way I am thinking of doing it right now is have one form, and have
functions that display/hide the different controls when each menu is
clicked. So when someone clicks the second menu, I call the hide
display routines of the other three menus to hide the controls that
make up the UI for those three menus. The problem with this is that
since I have one form basically, my UI in the VS.NET is going to look
very ugly even if it looks clean to the user.

My other approach is to use multiple forms. However, I don't want to
pop up new windows for each menu. I just want the working space to
change. If in the backdrop that means switching between different
forms, I am ok with that, as long as the user does not see multiple
forms popping up etc. How do I do that?

It seems pretty simple but I just can't get my head around it. I have
not developed any complex windows applications in any VB flavour
before so this is all a little new to me.

Thanks.

Asad

 

[Jim Hubbard]

Try placing the controls for each menu on a panel control and simply hide or
show the panel control that corresponds to each menu choice.

Or, since you do not have any sub-menu items, have you considered using the
tab control?

 

[Chris, Master of all Things Insignificant]

What about trying to use a tab control w/o the tabs showing. That way the
user doesn't see a new form popping up and your design side of things is
nice looking too. Just anchor/dock the tab control all 4 sides of your form
and have your menu item change the tab that is displayed.

Another way would be to make a MDI style. Have one parent and 4 childs that
full the entire client portion. You would have to hide the control box of
the child and all but you should be able to make it work. I think this
would be more work than the tab idea.

Good luck
Chris