Property Dialogs
Overview
Depending on the development environment used, the steps necessary to modify the control properties vary. The properties supported by the control can be displayed in a variety of ways. See your development environment's documentation for specific instructions.
Usually, development tools allow access to the Property Pages implemented by a control. For example, Visual Basic allows you to right-click on the control in design mode. By selecting Properties' from the popup menu presented, the properties can be accessed using the Property Pages provided by the control. The following tabs are offered by this property dialog. Additional tabs may be added to the dialog by your development tool.
| Tab | Description |
|---|
| Attributes | Defines the main attributes of the control. |
| QuickSetup | Defines property page dialog options. |
| Load/Save Settings | Used to load or save the settings for the currently selected control. |
| Options | Defines property page dialog options. |
| Updates | Download free product maintenance and updates |
Each tab and associated page allows a set of properties to be manipulated. All properties are labeled using the property name. Detailed descriptions can be found in the on-line help.
Help
By right-clicking on the property page, help information for a specific property can be accessed.
Most pages offer on-line help by clicking on the Help button. This Help button may not be displayed when using certain development environments. Other means may be available to view the SftButton/OCX on-line help.
Property Pages
Each property page shows a number of properties using categories (such as Appearance, Behavior, Colors, etc.).
By clicking on a property, the property can be edited. Using the TAB (or SHIFT+TAB) key the next (or previous) property can be edited or simply click on another property.
Double-click on the description of a property to display the complete help information or right-click on the property grid for a help menu.
Color Properties
When clicking on a property representing a color value, a combo box is displayed which shows the available system colors as defined using Control Panel and also the basic colors. A new color value can be selected from the choices offered or a new color value can be entered. The following syntax is accepted:
| Syntax | Description |
|---|
| &H00bbggrr& | A hexadecimal number (Visual Basic style) |
| 0x00bbggrr | A hexadecimal number (C/C++ style) |
| decimal | A decimal value, the decimal equivalent of a hexadecimal color value |
| |
| where | bb = blue component rr = red component gg = green component |
| |
| Example: | &H00FF0000& (Blue) |
| 0x0000ff00 (Green) |
The display format of color values can be modified using the Options page.
Image Properties
An image property (based on a SftPictureObject object class) can be defined by clicking on the
bitmap of the cell. This displays a dialog that is used to load a bitmap, GDI+ image, icon or metafile, built-in image or color sample. Some properties only allow bitmaps or only icons.
If a file has been loaded, the image is saved along with the control properties and the file is no longer required.
Image properties display (None), (GDI+ Image), (Picture), (Built-In), (Color Sample) or (Invalid Type), depending on the graphic type loaded.
To clear an image property click on the bitmap of the cell, then click Clear on the resulting dialog. This will clear the image property.
Picture Properties
A Picture property can be defined by clicking on the bitmap of the cell. This displays a dialog that is used to load a bitmap, icon or metafile. Some properties only allow bitmaps or only icons.
Once a file has been loaded, the image is saved along with the control properties and the file is no longer required.
Picture properties display (None), (Bitmap), (Metafile), (Icon) or (Invalid Type), depending on the graphic type loaded.
To clear a Picture property click on the bitmap of the cell, then click Cancel on the resulting dialog. This will clear the Picture property.
Font Properties
A Font property can be defined by clicking on the bitmap of the cell. This displays a dialog that is used to define the attributes of the font.
Certain font properties also support the use of a default font. To restore the default font, right-click on the bitmap of the cell and select the Reset menu entry.
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