[V8i C++] Creating table in GUI

HI Wojciech,

Wojciech said:

Is there a way to do it in MDL?

It depends:

• Element information dialog you used as an example was written using NET WinForms I guess. So there is no way to have exactly this one.
• In native C/C++ code, you can use classic MicroStation resources (generic item, tree item...) or MFC libraries to create similar GUI.

With regards,

  Jan

Thank you Jan,

Which approach (MicroStation resources or MFC libraries) would be easier? I would like to include in my tables combo boxes.

All the best

Wojciech

Wojciech said:

Which approach (MicroStation resources or MFC libraries) would be easier? I would like to include in my tables combo boxes

My preference is the MDL API.  It lacks a graphic design tool, but is comprehensive and integrates easily with MicroStation.  It provides  ComboBox, ListBox, TextBox etc,  and more complex widgets that Jan mentions.

MicroStation's Dialog Manager is an invisible helper.  It makes it easy to pass application variables between your code and your UI.  When that mechanism isn't enough, you can add a hook class (callback handler class) to provide more advanced functionality.  A ComboBox is an example, but we've written a ListModel hook handler class to make life simpler.  Several examples are delivered with the SDK.

MFC is looking long in the tooth.  It requires extra help from MDL/MFC classes supplied with the MicroStation SDK.  It knows nothing about the MDL Dialog Manager.

Hi Wojciech,

Wojciech said:

Which approach (MicroStation resources or MFC libraries) would be easier?

Well ... it is hard to say what is easier, because it is not about technical features only, but also about your skills and project requirements.

Frankly, the easiest is to do not invest time and implement complex GUI for dead platform, when V8i is not supported anymore and Bentley motivates (and pushes) user to migrate to CE, where WPF is available.

But I know it is not answer you expect. If you do not know MFC very well already, I agree with Jon to choose MicroStation resources is the right way. MFC is very old technology, when Microsoft tried to implement object approach to GUI API. MicroStation resources are maybe even older, but they are still there. Even though it look like, comparing e.g. to WPF, as primitive obsolete technology, it works very well and is still used even in CE.

Regards,

  Jan

Hi Wojciech,

Wojciech said:

Which approach (MicroStation resources or MFC libraries) would be easier?

Well ... it is hard to say what is easier, because it is not about technical features only, but also about your skills and project requirements.

Frankly, the easiest is to do not invest time and implement complex GUI for dead platform, when V8i is not supported anymore and Bentley motivates (and pushes) user to migrate to CE, where WPF is available.

But I know it is not answer you expect. If you do not know MFC very well already, I agree with Jon to choose MicroStation resources is the right way. MFC is very old technology, when Microsoft tried to implement object approach to GUI API. MicroStation resources are maybe even older, but they are still there. Even though it look like, comparing e.g. to WPF, as primitive obsolete technology, it works very well and is still used even in CE.

Regards,

  Jan

Thank you Jan,

I see that my choice depends also on my experience, and I have none with MFC so I'll go for MDL

All the best

Wojciech

Wojciech said:

I'll go for MDL

Then take a close look at a ListBox whose data source is a ListModel. 

You should find examples delivered with the SDK.

This is very helpful.

Thank you

All the best

Wojciech