TreeView vs ListView + Checkboxes

[czardas]

I have been pondering whether to use TreeView with $TVS_CHECKBOXES, as demonstrated in the GUI example folder, or ListView using $LVS_EX_CHECKBOXES. Although both of these controls have much more functionality than I require, I prefer the TreeView, for several reasons. The only thing that bugs me is that I only want the checkboxes to be ticked without the item being selected (visually), as is the case with ListView. I don't seem to be able to find any method to do this, apart from forcing the control to lose focus, which is less than pretty. Is it possible to never show the selection, and only tick the box?

Check the example in C:\Program Files\AutoIt3\Examples\GUISampleControls.au3

Really ListView is more appropriate for my purpose, but I'm not sure if I will use it. Perhaps I should not use either. I may end up custom designing the style of control I want by using an embeded GUI with a scroll bar and separate check boxes. Although I already have three embedded GUI's. Also, I'm not sure if the method will work on a Tab, but I can try. [Doesn't work!] Gosh - one whole week just to design this one control (although most of the time was spent defining the control's contents, and fighting with the background colour of the Tabs).

Maybe that's not so clear.

Now I have discovered that embedding a GUI on a Tab control doesn't seem to work, because it appears on all Tabs. The reason for my dilema is that ListView truncates long words, even though there's enough (although limited) space, it also adds a gap at the end of the list (which I don't like) and it doesn't seem to format the line height to the same proportions as TreeView even with the same font. That's three strikes and you're out!

Well I suppose it's a tough question. If it's not possible to just tick the box in a TreeView control, then I guess I'll just have to rethink my design. The highlighted selection isn't really so bad.

Edited February 5, 2011 by czardas

[AdmiralAlkex]

Now I have discovered that embedding a GUI on a Tab control doesn't seem to work, because it appears on all Tabs.

You could probably hide the window when another tab is activated, and show when the right one is active. Edited February 6, 2011 by AdmiralAlkex

[czardas]

You could probably hide the window when another tab is activated, and show when the right one is active.

Thanks, I'll look into that idea. I'm not totally aquainted with the limitations of all the controls available. I guess there will always be someone (like me) who wants a special feature, or some particular customization options. I think part of the problem is when you are trying things out for the first time, you don't always make the right choices. Later on things can get quite complicated if the design needs to be altered. In this case I seem to have wandered into that territory a little. It's not the first time it's happened, and probably won't be the last.

The scary part is yet to come: connecting the front and back ends.

Edited February 6, 2011 by czardas

[Melba23]

czardas,

AdmiralAlkex has it right about the tabs (would you expect anything else! )

Could I recommend the Tabs tutorial in the Wiki - it shows you how to do what you want.

M23

[czardas]

Thanks, I just took a quick look at the tutorial and I can see why I was having problems. It's quite interesting. I didn't have any problems creating standard controls on the tabs, only the custom GUI. I think it's something I may have to review later, since I still have several other controls to design. Once I know everything fits in place, I will replace the Tab controls.