Creating and Showing Smart Tooltip in WPF XBAP application

The Smart Tooltips are displayed when user hovers the cursor over an item, without clicking it, and a tooltip may appear. It may take a second or two to display the tooltip, but when it does appear, it usually is a small box with a yellow background explaining what the icon represents. For example, in Microsoft Word, when you mouse over the Paste icon, the “Paste” tooltip appears with its description. It helps us to know about the icon as well as its functionality. 

MS Word 2010 Smart Tool-tip appearance

In my project application, I thought of to show the Smart tooltip in my Enrolment module. My application is WPF XBAP application; hence I am not able to customize the Tooltip with my own style using shapes. Because internally Tooltips are showing using Popup, the customized tooltip are showing with black coloured shadow in smart tooltip. Then I have search through the internet about this issue and come to know about Adorners and its feature from this link then decided to use Adorner for Smart Tooltip. Here is the adorner control source. 

ControlAdorner Class:-

public class ControlAdorner : Adorner
    {
        private Control _child;

        public ControlAdorner(UIElement adornedElement)
            : base(adornedElement) { }

        protected override int VisualChildrenCount
        {
            get
            {
                return 1;
            }
        }

        protected override Visual GetVisualChild(int index)
        {
            if (index != 0) throw new ArgumentOutOfRangeException();
            return _child;
        }

        public Control Child
        {
            get { return _child; }
            set
            {
                if (_child != null)
                {
                    RemoveVisualChild(_child);
                }
                _child = value;
                if (_child != null)
                {
                    AddVisualChild(_child);
                }
            }
        }

        protected override Size MeasureOverride(Size constraint)
        {
            Size max = new Size(double.PositiveInfinity, double.PositiveInfinity);
            this._child.Measure(max);
            this.InvalidateArrange();
            return this._child.DesiredSize;
        }

        protected override Size ArrangeOverride(Size finalSize)
        {
            FrameworkElement target = AdornedElement as FrameworkElement;
            Point location = new Point(target.ActualWidth + 2, -((_child.ActualHeight - target.ActualHeight) / 2));
            Rect rect = new Rect(location, finalSize);
            this._child.Arrange(rect);
            return this._child.RenderSize;
        }
    }

    public class Adorners : ContentControl
    {
        #region Attached Properties

        // Template attached property
        public static readonly DependencyProperty TemplateProperty =
            DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached("Template", typeof(ControlTemplate), typeof(Adorners), new PropertyMetadata(TemplateChanged));

        public static ControlTemplate GetTemplate(UIElement target)
        {
            return (ControlTemplate)target.GetValue(TemplateProperty);
        }
        public static void SetTemplate(UIElement target, ControlTemplate value)
        {
            target.SetValue(TemplateProperty, value);
        }
        private static void TemplateChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
        {
            UpdateAdroner((UIElement)d, GetIsVisible((UIElement)d), (ControlTemplate)e.NewValue);
        }

        // IsVisible attached property
        public static readonly DependencyProperty IsVisibleProperty =
            DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached("IsVisible", typeof(bool), typeof(Adorners), new PropertyMetadata(IsVisibleChanged));

        public static bool GetIsVisible(UIElement target)
        {
            return (bool)target.GetValue(IsVisibleProperty);
        }
        public static void SetIsVisible(UIElement target, bool value)
        {
            target.SetValue(IsVisibleProperty, value);
        }
        private static void IsVisibleChanged(DependencyObject d, DependencyPropertyChangedEventArgs e)
        {
            UserControl rootPage = FindVisualParent<UserControl>((UIElement)d);
            Control ctrl = GetChildWindow(rootPage) as Control;
            if (ctrl != null)
                UpdateAdroner((UIElement)d, (bool)e.NewValue, ctrl);
            else
                UpdateAdroner((UIElement)d, (bool)e.NewValue, GetTemplate((UIElement)d));
        }

        // ChildWindow attached property
        public static readonly DependencyProperty ChildWindowProperty =
            DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached("ChildWindow", typeof(DependencyObject), typeof(Adorners));

        public static DependencyObject GetChildWindow(DependencyObject target)
        {
            return (DependencyObject)target.GetValue(ChildWindowProperty);
        }
        public static void SetChildWindow(UIElement target, DependencyObject value)
        {
            target.SetValue(ChildWindowProperty, value);
        }

        // InternalAdorner attached property
        public static readonly DependencyProperty InternalAdornerProperty =
            DependencyProperty.RegisterAttached("InternalAdorner", typeof(ControlAdorner), typeof(Adorners));

        public static ControlAdorner GetInteranlAdorner(DependencyObject target)
        {
            return (ControlAdorner)target.GetValue(InternalAdornerProperty);
        }
        public static void SetInternalAdorner(DependencyObject target, ControlAdorner value)
        {
            target.SetValue(InternalAdornerProperty, value);
        }

        #endregion

        #region Implementation

        // Actually do all the work:
        private static void UpdateAdroner(UIElement adorned)
        {
            UpdateAdroner(adorned, GetIsVisible(adorned), GetTemplate(adorned));
        }

        private static void UpdateAdroner(UIElement adorned, bool isVisible, ControlTemplate controlTemplate)
        {
            var layer = AdornerLayer.GetAdornerLayer(adorned);

            if (layer == null)
            {
                // if we don't have an adorner layer it's probably because it's too early in the window's construction.
                Dispatcher.CurrentDispatcher.BeginInvoke( DispatcherPriority.Loaded,
                    new Action(() => { UpdateAdroner(adorned); }));
                return;
            }

            var existingAdorner = GetInteranlAdorner(adorned);

            if (existingAdorner == null)
            {
                if (controlTemplate != null && isVisible)
                {
                    // show
                    var newAdorner = new ControlAdorner(adorned);
                    newAdorner.Child = new Control() { Template = controlTemplate, Focusable = false, };
                    layer.Add(newAdorner);
                    SetInternalAdorner(adorned, newAdorner);
                }
            }
            else
            {
                if (controlTemplate != null && isVisible)
                {
                    // switch template
                    Control ctrl = existingAdorner.Child;
                    ctrl.Template = controlTemplate;
                }
                else
                {
                    // hide
                    existingAdorner.Child = null;
                    layer.Remove(existingAdorner);
                    SetInternalAdorner(adorned, null);
                }
            }
        }

        private static void UpdateAdroner(UIElement adorned, bool isVisible, Control childControl)
        {
            var layer = AdornerLayer.GetAdornerLayer(adorned);

            if (layer == null)
            {
                // if we don't have an adorner layer it's probably because it's too early in the window's construction.
                Dispatcher.CurrentDispatcher.BeginInvoke(DispatcherPriority.Loaded,
                    new Action(() => { UpdateAdroner(adorned); }));
                return;
            }

            var existingAdorner = GetInteranlAdorner(adorned);
            if (existingAdorner == null)
            {
                if (childControl != null && isVisible)
                {
                    // show
                    var newAdorner = new ControlAdorner(adorned);
                    newAdorner.Child = childControl;
                    layer.Add(newAdorner);
                    SetInternalAdorner(adorned, newAdorner);
                }
            }
            else
            {
                if (childControl != null && isVisible)
                {
                    // switch template
                    Control ctrl = childControl;
                }
                else
                {
                    // hide
                    existingAdorner.Child = null;
                    layer.Remove(existingAdorner);
                    SetInternalAdorner(adorned, null);
                }
            }
        }

        public static T FindVisualParent<T>(UIElement element) where T : UIElement
        {
            UIElement parent = element;
            while (parent != null)
            {
                T correctlyTyped = parent as T;
                if (correctlyTyped != null)
                {
                    return correctlyTyped;
                }

                parent = VisualTreeHelper.GetParent(parent) as UIElement;
            }

            return null;
        }

        #endregion
    }

Sample Output

 

Sample Link

Happy coding.

Win7/Vista like busy Indicator control using Spinner animation in WPF

I have been working on WPF XBAP projects which establish the connection between mobile and system similar to Remote Desktop connectivity. I am in need to show the current status and waiting status between mobile and system connection. Hence I've created this control which is showing similar to Win7/Vista busy indicator. I am happy to share the control with you.

Initially I have a tried to show the circle shaped rectangular using rotate animation.  But I couldn't get the expected feel similar to Win7/Vista like busy indicator. Then I have spent few minutes in net and I come to know about the spinner animation and found the ImageStrip control from this link for implementing Image animation.  Then I have created Win7/Vista like busy indicator using the following code and control template.

ImageStrip Class:-

 

 1     public class ImageStrip : Control
 2     {
 3         #region Dependency Properties
 4 
 5         public int Frame
 6         {
 7             get { return (int)GetValue(FrameProperty); }
 8             set { SetValue(FrameProperty, value); }
 9         }
10 
11         public static readonly DependencyProperty FrameProperty =
12             DependencyProperty.Register("Frame", typeof(int), typeof(ImageStrip), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(0, FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.AffectsRender));
13 
14         public double FrameSize
15         {
16             get { return (double)GetValue(FrameSizeProperty); }
17             set { SetValue(FrameSizeProperty, value); }
18         }
19 
20         public static readonly DependencyProperty FrameSizeProperty =
21             DependencyProperty.Register("FrameSize", typeof(double), typeof(ImageStrip), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(0D, FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.AffectsRender));
22 
23         public ImageSource Image
24         {
25             get { return (ImageSource)GetValue(ImageProperty); }
26             set { SetValue(ImageProperty, value); }
27         }
28 
29         public static readonly DependencyProperty ImageProperty =
30             DependencyProperty.Register("Image", typeof(ImageSource), typeof(ImageStrip), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(null, FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.AffectsRender));
31 
32         public Orientation Orientation
33         {
34             get { return (Orientation)GetValue(OrientationProperty); }
35             set { SetValue(OrientationProperty, value); }
36         }
37 
38         public static readonly DependencyProperty OrientationProperty =
39             DependencyProperty.Register("Orientation", typeof(Orientation), typeof(ImageStrip), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(Orientation.Horizontal, FrameworkPropertyMetadataOptions.AffectsRender));
40 
41         #endregion
42 
43         #region Rendering
44 
45         protected override void OnRender(DrawingContext drawingContext)
46         {
47             if (Image != null)
48             {
49                 Rect rect = new Rect(0, 0, RenderSize.Width, RenderSize.Height);
50 
51                 ImageBrush brush = new ImageBrush(Image);
52                 brush.Stretch = Stretch.None;
53                 brush.Viewbox = (Orientation == Orientation.Vertical) ?
54                     new Rect(0, (((Frame + 0.5) * FrameSize) / Image.Height) - 0.5, 1, 1) :
55                     new Rect((((Frame + 0.5) * FrameSize) / Image.Width) - 0.5, 0, 1, 1);
56 
57                 drawingContext.DrawRectangle(brush, null, rect);
58             }
59         }
60 
61         #endregion
62     }
63 

BusyIndicator Class:-

 

 1     public class BusyIndicator : Control
 2     {
 3         static BusyIndicator()
 4         {
 5             DefaultStyleKeyProperty.OverrideMetadata(typeof(BusyIndicator), new FrameworkPropertyMetadata(typeof(BusyIndicator)));
 6         }
 7 
 8         public string Text
 9         {
10             get { return (string)GetValue(TextProperty); }
11             set { SetValue(TextProperty, value); }
12         }
13         public static readonly DependencyProperty TextProperty = DependencyProperty.Register("Text", typeof(string), typeof(BusyIndicator), new UIPropertyMetadata(null));
14     }
15 

XAML Style:-

 

 1 <ResourceDictionary 
 2     xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml/presentation"
 3     xmlns:x="http://schemas.microsoft.com/winfx/2006/xaml"
 4     xmlns:local="clr-namespace:SpinnerAnimation">
 5     
 6     <Style x:Key="{x:Type local:BusyIndicator}" TargetType="{x:Type local:BusyIndicator}">
 7         <Setter Property="HorizontalAlignment" Value="Center" />
 8         <Setter Property="VerticalAlignment" Value="Center" />
 9         <Setter Property="Template" >
10             <Setter.Value>
11                 <ControlTemplate TargetType="{x:Type local:BusyIndicator}">
12                     <Border x:Name="mainBorder" Background="#FFFFFFFF" CornerRadius="3">
13                         <Grid>
14                             <Border x:Name="shaddowBorder" Background="#FFFFFFFF" CornerRadius="3" BorderBrush="#0D566B" BorderThickness="1">
15                                 <Border.Effect>
16                                     <DropShadowEffect  BlurRadius="2" ShadowDepth="3" Opacity="0.6" Color="#FF000000" Direction="310"/>
17                                 </Border.Effect>
18                             </Border>
19                             <StackPanel HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center">
20                                 <Viewbox Height="24" Width="24" Margin="2">
21                                     <local:ImageStrip Image="Images\BusyIndicator.png" FrameSize="20" Width="20" Height="20" Margin="0 3 0 0">
22                                         <local:ImageStrip.Effect>
23                                             <DropShadowEffect BlurRadius="3" ShadowDepth="3" Opacity="0.6" Color="#FF000000" Direction="300"/>
24                                         </local:ImageStrip.Effect>
25                                         <FrameworkElement.Triggers>
26                                             <EventTrigger RoutedEvent="FrameworkElement.Loaded">
27                                                 <BeginStoryboard>
28                                                     <Storyboard>
29                                                         <Int32Animation From="0" To="17" Duration="0:0:0.75" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Frame" RepeatBehavior="Forever" />
30                                                     </Storyboard>
31                                                 </BeginStoryboard>
32                                             </EventTrigger>
33                                         </FrameworkElement.Triggers>
34                                     </local:ImageStrip>
35                                 </Viewbox>
36                                 <Label x:Name="label" FontFamily="Calibri" Content="{TemplateBinding Text}" FontSize="12" FontWeight="Bold" HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Center" />
37                             </StackPanel>
38                         </Grid>
39                     </Border>
40                     <ControlTemplate.Triggers>
41                         <Trigger Property="Text" Value="{x:Null}">
42                             <Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Collapsed" TargetName="label" />
43                             <Setter Property="Visibility" Value="Collapsed" TargetName="shaddowBorder" />
44                         </Trigger>
45                     </ControlTemplate.Triggers>
46                 </ControlTemplate>
47             </Setter.Value>
48         </Setter>
49     </Style>
50     
51 </ResourceDictionary>

By using ImageStrip control, we can also show the downloading, ready to connect, etc., indicators. We just need to create an appropriate image and give the Frame, FrameSize, Image and Orientation (If it is required). The sample code is below,

 

 1     <local:ImageStrip Image="Images/Download.png" FrameSize="22.27" Width="22" Height="22" Margin="10" Grid.Row="2" Grid.Column="3">
 2         <FrameworkElement.Triggers>
 3             <EventTrigger RoutedEvent="FrameworkElement.Loaded">
 4                 <BeginStoryboard>
 5                     <Storyboard>
 6                         <Int32Animation From="0" To="6" Duration="0:0:1.5" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Frame" RepeatBehavior="Forever" />
 7                     </Storyboard>
 8                 </BeginStoryboard>
 9             </EventTrigger>
10         </FrameworkElement.Triggers>
11     </local:ImageStrip>
12 
13     <local:ImageStrip Image="Images/Ready.png" FrameSize="21" Width="21" Height="21" Grid.Row="3" Grid.Column="2">
14         <FrameworkElement.Triggers>
15             <EventTrigger RoutedEvent="FrameworkElement.Loaded">
16                 <BeginStoryboard>
17                     <Storyboard>
18                         <Int32Animation From="0" To="5" Duration="0:0:1.3" Storyboard.TargetProperty="Frame" RepeatBehavior="Forever" />
19                     </Storyboard>
20                 </BeginStoryboard>
21             </EventTrigger>
22         </FrameworkElement.Triggers>
23     </local:ImageStrip>
24 

Sample Output:-

Sample Link

Happy Coding… J