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xDockManager - Per Pixel Alpha Blend

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30 Aug 20071 min read 71.8K   3.7K   55   18
xDock is a smoothly animated, per pixel alpha-blended application written in Vb.net 2003
Screenshot - xDock2.gif

Introduction

xDock is a smoothly animated, alpha-blended application that is similar to ObjectDock or RocketDock. The Source code provided here is not intended to replace products like ObjectDock or RocketDock. This is an incomplete project and some features need to implemented. The project gives and idea how these great products (ObjectDock or RocketDock) works using Vb.Net 2003.

Using the code

Below are one of major classes and interface used in above project:

DockManager

IDockItem

DefDockItem

DockInfo

DockManager is the collection of current IDockItem's.DockManager on paint calls paint method for each IDockItem Object with Zoom ratio and each DockItem in turn paint its icon on background bitmap.Later on this bitmap is assigned to form DockWindow.vb using UpdateLayeredWindow API.DefDockItem class is the default implementation of IDockItem interface.

However Developer can Implement the IDockItem to create docklets in separate assembly and then this can be pluged in to xDock.

DockInfo is the class which saves the current settings to ini file in application directory.

The PaintBackground Function in DockWindow creates the streatched background using the current selected Skin.The (GDI+) graphics Object is then passed to DockManager to paint the added DockItems.

Points of Interest

Note that ObjectDock and RockDock are free applications and you can download them from

Download ObjectDock : from http://www.stardock.com/products/objectdock/

Download RocketDock: from http://filehippo.com/download_rocketdock/

Keep a running update of any changes or improvements you've made here.

License

This article has no explicit license attached to it but may contain usage terms in the article text or the download files themselves. If in doubt please contact the author via the discussion board below.

A list of licenses authors might use can be found here



Comments and Discussions

 
QuestionWhat is the license of this project? Pin
Dainius Ba6-Dec-18 4:34
Dainius Ba6-Dec-18 4:34 
AnswerRe: What is the license of this project? Pin
OriginalGriff6-Dec-18 4:37
mveOriginalGriff6-Dec-18 4:37 
QuestionMy contribution Pin
tix3-Feb-13 21:47
tix3-Feb-13 21:47 
QuestionHow to Get The MouseClick on A Given Icon Pin
Bill SerGio, The Infomercial King28-Sep-08 11:42
Bill SerGio, The Infomercial King28-Sep-08 11:42 
Generalas a toolbar Pin
Chris_McGrath14-May-08 18:52
Chris_McGrath14-May-08 18:52 
Generalvs2003 designer "Error creating window handle" Pin
loheron19-Dec-07 4:06
loheron19-Dec-07 4:06 
AnswerMerry Christmas together, I'll bring you solutions! ;D Pin
FanatiX25-Dec-07 12:16
FanatiX25-Dec-07 12:16 
GeneralRe: Merry Christmas together, I'll bring you solutions! ;D Pin
khalidezzat31-Jan-19 4:59
khalidezzat31-Jan-19 4:59 
GeneralAbsolutely superb Pin
Sudhir Mangla17-Oct-07 23:14
professionalSudhir Mangla17-Oct-07 23:14 
GeneralRe: Absolutely superb Pin
Sudhir Mangla18-Oct-07 2:38
professionalSudhir Mangla18-Oct-07 2:38 
Generalvs2005 designer "Error creating window handle" Pin
Larry O'Heron24-Sep-07 4:13
Larry O'Heron24-Sep-07 4:13 
Generalvs2005 designer "Error creating window handle" Pin
Larry O'Heron13-Sep-07 10:50
Larry O'Heron13-Sep-07 10:50 
Questionget the code for other project Pin
reldes6-Sep-07 6:49
reldes6-Sep-07 6:49 
Generalconversion to VB.net 2005 Pin
reldes6-Sep-07 0:10
reldes6-Sep-07 0:10 
GeneralDescribe and Explain please Pin
robvon3-Sep-07 17:38
robvon3-Sep-07 17:38 
GeneralRe: Describe and Explain please Pin
Rajneesh Noonia3-Sep-07 21:47
Rajneesh Noonia3-Sep-07 21:47 
QuestionWhere's the article? Pin
Paul A. Howes30-Aug-07 13:33
Paul A. Howes30-Aug-07 13:33 
GeneralReally nice... may be in c# [modified] Pin
zebulon7501830-Aug-07 4:29
zebulon7501830-Aug-07 4:29 

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