User Interface Builder - GUI Designer

[0xC0FFEE]

User Interface Builder

  

Overview

 

• Use this tool to visually design Windows applications with a focus on Metro windows, standard windows, and Tool windows.
• This is for users who want a faster and simpler development tool.
• Drag-and-drop GUI creation, code generation, and easy control alignment tools.
• No more clicking through property sheets to set variable names, sizes, and the control’s text.

 

Please replace "MetroUDF-Required\SSCtrlHover.au3" within the metro UDF files to see more meaningful messages in the console. The following line was inserted into the function. This prevents crashing on syntax and logical errors while Metro buttons are in use.

Func _cHvr_Register($idCtrl, $fnHovOff = '', $fnHoverOn = '', $fnClick = '', $fnDblClk = '', $HoverData = 0,$ClickData = 0,$fnRightClick = '')
    If $BLOCK_HOVER_REGISTRATION Then Return

 

Unfortunately, the following will have to added to your scripts if you already use Metro UDF and you replace "SSCtrlHover.au3".

Global $BLOCK_HOVER_REGISTRATION = False

#include "MetroGUI_UDF.au3"
#include "MetroGUI_UDF_xpk.au3"
#include "_GUIDisable.au3" ; For dim effects when msgbox is displayed

 

Features

 

• Metro Controls for all window types
• WYSIWYG real-time preview
• Generates AutoIt GUI and message loop code
• Multiple control selection and manipulation
• Make additional selections with the CTRL key
• Accelerated control movements with the SHIFT key
• Change controls position with mouse or arrow keys
• Double click a control to precisely set its size and text
• Save/load GUI layouts and Control layouts to files
• Custom styles/themes and Controls using Metro
• Snap-to-guide, and toolbar alignment aids
• Drag down guides from the top and left sides of the Designer window
• Copy-n-paste between different window types

 

Technical Details

 

• .Gui/.Ctrls file is a simple delimited text file
• Copy-n-paste is a similar file without the window specifications
• The application is meant to be portable, so it is one file
• The only Custom UDFs in use is Metro 5.1, and my Metro Expansion pack
• The script uses Label controls for everything. No GDI was used.
• Every control handle is saved in an array
• Maps are used in Metro and in future UDFs containing new controls

• You need Metro 5.1 UDF 

 

Limitations and known issues

 

• Resizing the Metro window with the mouse is flaky
• Changing control and window styles is not implemented
• Window size cannot be changed precisely
• Undo functionality might cause problems with code generation
• No Redo implemented

 

 Thank you BB19 and everyone that contributed to Metro UDF.

 

 

MetroGUI_UDF_xpk.au3 SSCtrlHover.au3

UserInterfaceBuilder.au3

Edited August 3, 2025 by 0xC0FFEE

[argumentum]

Wow !. A whole lot of work !.

Return Run(@ComSpec & " /C AutoIt3.exe """ & @ScriptFullPath & """ " & $StringCall ,"C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoIt3",@SW_HIDE)
I don't run AutoIt from that path. Maybe that's the reason the script ends with "AutoIt3 ended. rc:-1073740771" ?

Nice 1st post  

[0xC0FFEE]

Thanks for taking a look at my app!

 

Return Run(@ComSpec & " /C AutoIt3.exe """ & @ScriptFullPath & """ " & $StringCall ,"C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoIt3",@SW_HIDE)

 

The code above is only used to execute this function:

Start('"TransformFontDialog"')

 

The actual syntax and logical errors do not display on the console because a subclass (_WinAPI_SetWindowSubclass) is registered. Every Metro button made calls "_cHvr_Register" at the end of creation. We can prevent this but all applications will need this Global Variable added before the #include.

Global $BLOCK_HOVER_REGISTRATION = True

#include "MetroGUI_UDF.au3"
#include "MetroGUI_UDF_xpk.au3"
#include "_GUIDisable.au3" ; For dim effects when msgbox is displayed

 

In addition, "MetroUDF-Required\SSCtrlHover.au3", function "_cHvr_Register", needs the line inserted:

Func _cHvr_Register($idCtrl, $fnHovOff = '', $fnHoverOn = '', $fnClick = '', $fnDblClk = '', $HoverData = 0,$ClickData = 0,$fnRightClick = '')
    If $BLOCK_HOVER_REGISTRATION Then Return

 

In your app, $BLOCK_HOVER_REGISTRATION must be set False so that the buttons will animate.

Global $BLOCK_HOVER_REGISTRATION = False

 

The edits talked about above are in the attached files. Please let me know if this helps. Now, if you "Throw Error", the true error message should display in the console.

UserInterfaceBuilder.au3 SSCtrlHover.au3

Edited July 28, 2025 by 0xC0FFEE

[argumentum]

3 hours ago, 0xC0FFEE said:

The code above is only

Func Start($StringCall) ; argumentum
;~  If @AutoItExe = @ScriptFullPath Then this is an EXE
    Return ShellExecute(@AutoItExe, (@AutoItExe = @ScriptFullPath ? '' : ' "' & @ScriptFullPath & '" ') & $StringCall) ; this should work, I guess
EndFunc

Func Start($StringCall) ; 0xC0FFEE
;~  Run(@ComSpec & " /C AutoIt3.exe """ & @ScriptFullPath & """ ""Notify"" ""Hello World.""","C:\Program Files (x86)\AutoIt3")
    Return Run(@ComSpec & " /C AutoIt3.exe """ & @ScriptFullPath & """ " & $StringCall ,StringLeft(@AutoItExe, StringInStr(@AutoItExe, "\", 0, -1) -1),@SW_HIDE)
EndFunc

the above 2 options should work better because AutoIt can be installed other than default.

3 hours ago, 0xC0FFEE said:

Now, if you "Throw Error", the true error message should display in the console

Regardless, I still get that "rc:-1073740771" crash ?

PS: I'd love to dig deeper into the code and troubleshoot it but am too busy 😭

[0xC0FFEE]

Added a theme picker for Metro windows.

I changed $BLOCK_HOVER_REGISTRATION back to False so it would draw the controls with the correct colors. Please change it back to True if you are having trouble starting the application.

 

Global $BLOCK_HOVER_REGISTRATION = False

#include "MetroGUI_UDF.au3"
#include "MetroGUI_UDF_xpk.au3"
#include "_GUIDisable.au3" ; For dim effects when msgbox is displayed

 

[jaberwacky]

Hello!

I'm getting this error:

(493,26) : error: _WinAPI_GetCapture() already defined.
Func _WinAPI_GetCapture()

[pat4005]

0xC0FFEE, this is awesome and super useful! I'm so fed up by manual gui control positioning and this great project is the solution. Keep it up, I am excited to see more. Will you accept any improvements or advices? It's been so long I am using MetroGUI_UDF, that I've also did something to extend its functionality. For example, _Metro_CreateInput and _Metro_CreateComboBox. I could provide some code to help in development of a couple useful control elements.

 

  

[mLipok]

On 10/18/2025 at 4:07 AM, jaberwacky said:

Hello!

I'm getting this error:

(493,26) : error: _WinAPI_GetCapture() already defined.
Func _WinAPI_GetCapture()

Me too

and also

Quote

---------------------------
User Interface Builder
---------------------------
Call failed: Function "/ErrorStdOut" does not exist.

 

Edited October 20, 2025 by mLipok

[TheSaint]

Thanks for sharing your project, looks impressive.  

I've added it to the sticky topic - AutoIt GUI Creators (Designers)

[musicstashall]

I don't quite understand this syntax. What's it? This is where the error occurs

Local Static $Setting[]

I haven't seen arrays declared this way.

[musicstashall]

Important note on the project MetroGUI UDF v5.1

Edited November 1, 2025 by musicstashall

[ahmet]

Local Static $var[] is Map. It is available in beta version. I do not know if it is available in the latest stable release.

[musicstashall]

1 hour ago, ahmet said:

It is available in beta version

Do you mean the AutoIt version?

Edited November 1, 2025 by musicstashall

[ahmet]

Yes

[argumentum]

5 hours ago, ahmet said:

It is available in beta version. I do not know if it is available in the latest stable release.

3 hours ago, musicstashall said:

Do you mean the AutoIt version?

Ok. Good news, there is no beta newer than release at the moment. Update your environment.