XAF - How to show a custom form as a WinForms Dashboard Designer

This example describes how to display a custom form as a WinForms Dashboard Designer that is used to create and modify dashboards in WinForms XAF applications. This can be required for menu customization. For example, you may need to add custom BarItems or remove default BarItems.

Implementation Details

1. Add a new XtraForm or RibbonForm to the project.
2. Add DashboardDesigner to the newly created form as it is described in the following topic: Create a WinForms Dashboard Designer (.NET Framework).
3. Add a property of the DashboardDesigner type to the custom form.
4. In the Windows Forms module, add a Controller that is activated in the IDashboardData Views only.
5. Access the WinShowDashboardDesignerController using the Frame.GetController method.
6. Access the DashboardDesignerManager object using the WinShowDashboardDesignerController.DashboardDesignerManager property.
7. Handle the DashboardDesignerManager.CreateCustomForm event. Create and assign a custom XtraForm to the CreateCustomFormEventArgs.Form property. For more imformation, refer to the following topic: Access the WinForms Dashboard Designer.

Files to Review

• CustomDashboardDesignerFormController.cs
• CustomDashboardDesignerForm.cs

Documentation

• Create a WinForms Dashboard Designer (.NET Framework)
• Access the WinForms Dashboard Designer