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Q81814: ToolBox.exe Implements a "Tool Box" Window

Article: Q81814
Product(s): Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit
Version(s): 3.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbfile kbsample kbGrpDSUser kbOSWin310 kbWndw kbWndwMsg kbWndwProp kb16bitonly
Last Modified: 23-JUL-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) 3.1 
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SUMMARY
=======

ToolBox.exe is a file in the Microsoft Download Center that demonstrates how to
implement a tool box window in an application. The Image Editor and the Dialog
Editor are two applications provided with the Windows SDK that demonstrate a
"tool box" window.

MORE INFORMATION
================

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download
Center:

  ToolBox.exe
  (http://download.microsoft.com/download/platformsdk/sample76/3.1/W31/EN-US/ToolBox.exe)

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click
the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft used the most current virus detection software available on the date of
posting to scan this file for viruses. Once posted, the file is housed on secure
servers that prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

A tool box window contains a group of icons that the user can choose at any time.
The tool box window always floats above the application with which it is
associated.

The code in TOOLBOX assumes that all buttons in the tool box have the same size
and are equally spaced throughout the window. TOOLBOX implements the following
four steps to create the tool box window:

1. Loads the bitmap that provides the visual appearance for all the buttons.

2. Creates the tool box window with the WS_EX_TOPMOST style bit set. Sizes the
  window appropriately based on the size of the bitmap.

3. Processes the WM_ACTIVATE message in the window procedure for the
  application's main window. If the main window or the tool box window is being
  activated, TOOLBOX calls SetWindowPos() to add the WS_EX_TOPMOST style to the
  window. If a window other than the main window or the tool box window is
  being activated, TOOLBOX calls SetWindowPos() to remove the WS_EX_TOPMOST
  style from the window.

4. Performs the following two steps in the window procedure for the tool box
  window:

  a. Processes the WM_LBUTTONDOWN message. Performs hit testing to determine
     which button the user chose. To make the button appear depressed, TOOLBOX
     determines the rectangle for the button. TOOLBOX uses the InvertRect
     function to invert the colors of the button.

  b. Processes the WM_PAINT message. TOOLBOX uses the StretchBlt() function to
     paint the bitmap onto the window. If any button is depressed, TOOLBOX
     inverts the appropriate region as above.

Although this sample does not demonstrate every possibility for tool box windows,
the sample is very straightforward and easily modified.

Additional query words: ToolBox

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Keywords          : kbfile kbsample kbGrpDSUser kbOSWin310 kbWndw kbWndwMsg kbWndwProp kb16bitonly 
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbSDKSearch kbWinSDKSearch kbWinSDK310
Version           : :3.1

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