Problem to add images on XP style command buttons?

Problem to add images on XP style command buttons? Not anymore! Use JCButton control!

JCButton: An Ownerdrawn Multistyle Button
Thanks to Juned Chhipa, the creator of this control! It is really a great work!

It can be used as an alternative to Command Button. It is a lightweight button control which will emulate new command buttons.

Now we can draw nice multistyle buttons for our VB6 application. We can also add image to this nice looking command button, where we can't do using standard command button in XP style.

Make Your Coding Easier with This Collection of VB6 Controls

Commonly used controls with auto-highlighted, auto sendkeys "{TAB}", auto-formatted feature WITHOUT CODING.

1. TTextBox

a. Auto-highlighted when got focus.

b. Auto sendkey "{TAB}" if press Enter.
c. Character Casing: Normal, Upper, Lower.

d. Multiline: can set maximum lines.

Properties: BackColorGotFocus, BackColorDisabled, ForeColorGotFocus, ForeColorDisabled, CharacterCasing, MaxCRLF, MultiLine, SelectTextOnFocus, SendTabOnKeyEnter

TDatePicker: Ready to Use XP Style Date Picker

At my previous articles, we've discussed about applying XP style to our VB6 applications. However, there are some controls don't work with XP style such as DateTimePicker, MonthView, etc.

Here is a ready to use XP style date picker. I created this control for about 3 days and sharing it free with you now :) This control named TDatePicker (attention! not TDateTimePicker, I created another control for time picker separately). However, to have it in XP style, you must create manifest file for its executable. Read how to create manifest file to apply XP style.

Apply XP Style During Design Time

At my first article, we learn how to add XP style to your VB6 application. To test your XP style, you must run your executable (.exe) frequently. It will be some sort of pain if we are working on huge project where we spend much time waiting it to be compiled to .exe - test the executable - back to design environment and make changes  - compile again - it becomes a trial & error circumstance.

To make it simple, we need to activate XP style during design time. All we need to do to make it possible is simply create a manifest file for vb6.exe.

Add XP Style to Your VB6 Application

As we know, although our VB6 application run on Windows XP, it's still not using XP style. This article shows you a very simple way to add XP style to your VB6 application.

1. First, add component Microsoft Windows Common Controls 6.0 (SP6) (Mscomctl.ocx) to your project.

Project > Components > check on Microsoft Windows Common Control 6.0 (SP6) > click OK

2. Then, put any of its control to your Startup Object.

To know your Startup Object, click Project > Properties > tab General.

Lets say we put a StatusBar to your Startup Object. You may set it to be unvisible.