.Net Support

The Designer supports the creation of .Net objects on a form. To employ .Net components, the Designer must be executed with the PLBNET runtime. .Net control drawing, sizing, moving, selecting, and deleting all are done in the same manner as standard controls. Upon starting the Designer and creating a new form, several changes to the Designer's windows will be noted.

Toolbox Window

The toolbox window displays a second tab labeled "Net". This tab contains a list of .Net components available for use on the form. A standard set of controls is available. Additional controls may be added using the "Add .Net Controls" function of the Tools menu.

Properties Window

When an existing .Net control is the selected on the form, the properties window displays a second tab labeled "Net". Selecting the tab will expose a .Net property grid containing the object's .Net properties. Note that changing the properties Window view from properties to events will expose the .Net object's events.

All objects have a name property. This property is always shown on the Standard tab. Some .Net controls will have additional standard properties but no property is duplicated on both the Standard and Net tabs.

Code Window

When a .Net control is selected, the events combobox is filled with the supported .Net events. Typically a .Net object support many more events than standard objects.

Outline Window

Objects displayed in the Outline contain an icon illustrating the type of object and a description containing the object name and the type of object shown. .Net controls will display the type with a prefix of .Net.