Customize Database Graphics

[daoxx]

Hi
Are there any good ways to customize a database? Like customized windows, buttons, menus, etc.
The Windows look gets boring :\

Thanks for any tips :)

[missinglinq]

You can add color to backgrounds and some objects, and if you Google, you will find some sites with custom designed buttons that can be downloaded. But you have to remember that Access is an RDMS! It's not a video game nor a website nor a graphics design program! Everyone enjoys a nice looking GUI, but time spent on form layout design should really be concerned with functionality, with textboxes and other controls laid out in a way that makes the user's entering of data intuitive, rather than adding oval shaped, neon colored buttons, sound effects and flashing lights!

Linq ;0)>

[daoxx]

Yes, I know.
Thanks for the post. I actually thought Access was a game ;P. Like a lame version of Tetris.

Although it's fully functional, I'm just seeking for some nice effects that I can insert with some VB code, or something like that. I'm not interested in "neon buttons" nor installation-required add-ons.

I'm still checking this thread for any interesting suggestions, thanks for any future input.

You can add color to backgrounds and some objects, and if you Google, you will find some sites with custom designed buttons that can be downloaded. But you have to remember that Access is an RDMS! It's not a video game nor a website nor a graphics design program! Everyone enjoys a nice looking GUI, but time spent on form layout design should really be concerned with functionality, with textboxes and other controls laid out in a way that makes the user's entering of data intuitive, rather than adding oval shaped, neon colored buttons, sound effects and flashing lights!

Linq ;0)>

[mshmyob]

I agree 100% with Linq on this one but if you want to fancy it up a bit you can just use a standard graphics file for your buttons and then use the ON CLICK event of the image control to trigger the actions you want to take.

As for backgrounds you can create an image and size it to your window - be sure to bring ALL controls to front.

cheers,

Yes, I know.
Thanks for the post. I actually thought Access was a game ;P. Like a lame version of Tetris.

Although it's fully functional, I'm just seeking for some nice effects that I can insert with some VB code, or something like that. I'm not interested in "neon buttons" nor installation-required add-ons.

I'm still checking this thread for any interesting suggestions, thanks for any future input.

[daoxx]

Thanks, I guess I'll do that.

By the way, how can I put the window size fixed? Is it enough to take away the maximize button and the border of the window?
Because I was thinking of having a background that matched the position of my buttons and all that, but if I go to another form or something, and maximize it, everything I open next will also be maximized :|

I agree 100% with Linq on this one but if you want to fancy it up a bit you can just use a standard graphics file for your buttons and then use the ON CLICK event of the image control to trigger the actions you want to take.

As for backgrounds you can create an image and size it to your window - be sure to bring ALL controls to front.

cheers,

[mshmyob]

Yeah background images get tricky. You can size your image to the size of your window the set POP UP property to YES and turn off Resize Borders and Maximize.

If you want them to maximize you would then have to change the properties for the size of the image through code when ever someone maximizes or resizes the windows.

If I needed to do it I would do it the first way to save a lot of coding although my number 1 preferred way would not to do it (lol).

cheers,

Thanks, I guess I'll do that.

By the way, how can I put the window size fixed? Is it enough to take away the maximize button and the border of the window?
Because I was thinking of having a background that matched the position of my buttons and all that, but if I go to another form or something, and maximize it, everything I open next will also be maximized :|

[daoxx]

Ah, great advice as usual. Thank you, mshmyob.

[gpl]

daoxx
If you want to jazz up your forms and reports a bit, the microsoft Forms 2.0 library has some nice controls that can be enhanced more than the standard ones.

If you and your users do not have Microsoft Office installed, you can find the library in the ActiveX Control Pad, freely downloadable from Microsoft - http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms968493.aspx

Graham

[daoxx]

Thanks gpl, I'll certainly use those aswell.

Thank you.