Here' a GUI with a different approach. I'm furthering my attempts to make an Access application NOT look like a standard Access application. Heavy use of graphics and 'reaching around m'backside to scratch my ear' approach for image control. Of course, had I stayed with just normal Access controls and used no images, the code would have been much simpler. But then, it would not have the appearance it does. It was creatd in Access 97, presented here as a zipped Access 97 file and will covert readily to A2K, AXP and or A2K3. I have tested it in A2K7 and it fails miserabley. More conversion debugging to do there.

This interface is merely the stage make-up of an interesting tool already posted in the U.A. Code Archive: StriveForPeace's Backup To (and Restore From) Text Files. Her offering inspired the foundation for this little project. I would be amiss were I to fail to mention Arvin Meyer and Brent Spauling (datAdrenaline) for their respective parts in deriving the SaveAsText/LoadFromText procedures and such. And Leigh Purvis helped with the code for accessing a remote database. (Because my error trapping is not consistently comprehensive across the app, and the fact that I tend to employ Klingon commenting techniques, you may notice vast inconsistencies in the coding.)

The look is achieved by
• using Photoshop to create the "screen"
• taking screen-shots of the Access form(s)
• design/layout the main background
• applying cut-outs for the Access form controls
• then saving the cut and sized images as BMP files for more efficient integration into Access.
• repeat and rinse as necessary

This time, though, instead of just "butting" up the edges of all the image elements, I started with a comprehensive background that is fixed in size. This tends to dis-allow easy editing of the form's size because it would distort the image. One would need to re-do the artwork in Photoshop again to compensate.

My intent was to make a "Fun" GUI that included sounds. This one does. When you open the attachment, copy all the files to the same directory. There is just one Access 97 file and 9 short wave files for the sound portion. You don't have to use the audio files. The code was designed to auto-detect the presence of each audio file, and if it is not found, it won't play or throw an error. Also included is a switch on the main screen that will let the user turn the audio on and off, for when the audio files are in the same directory as the app and the baby is sleeping.

I chose to post here instead of the Code Archive because here, I have a greater opportunity to get feedback, StriveForPeace has already posted the meat and potatoes of the code in the archive, and it just fits better here.

Hopefully, if I do enough of this type of GUI, they might start actually looking better and have some real use.

All comments welcome.


(the image may also be clicked to download the fille)

Moo,

It look great.



Aqua

Just freakin' amazing.

Where do I begin? The color scheme...a bit loud. Would have given the MDI a different but related color. But then that's all a matter of taste. I've certainly done louder stuff. And you have a faux slider control that lured me into attempting to slide it up and down. Controls that don't behave as expected don't thrill me.

Minor points aside...GOOD ONE MARK!
If your primary goal was to create a "Fun" GUI, you've certainly achieved that. And then some. I really like those toggle buttons...shadows and all...never seen it done like that. Impressive. And I've always been a proponent of audio feedback, especially for data entry forms. They give the app an added visceral dimension...sort of like a subconscious register that something on the form had just changed. Loved the trap door! And the circuit board beneath it...très cool!

Cyber
wonderful. Its bold, bright and looks interesting. Some very clever work indeed.
top effort!
Paul

Great Piece of Work...

Clever Indeed.


Sameed

Going to take a while to work out.....
Impressive and fun......just a little loud...

Good one bro....

I appreciate the kind words and comments. I plan to re-work some earlier "tools/toys" in a similar fashion.

Thanks for the feedback!

Wow! It looks so amazing! I've never seen such a GUI that's as good as your's. Definitely an A++.

Thanks elmoe01!

I'd like to point out that there are some magnificent GUI creations here in this forum. I really like the semi-transparent stough and the tree-view is pretyy neat too. I just like to take the graphix part to extremes. (As evidenced above )

And, I had to use a shoe-horn and a sledge hammer to get it just under 500K zipped.

Hi Cy,

Very well done... It's certainly inspiring.

Thanks Xy. As are yours. I like how clean your stuff appears. I'm letting my imagination wonder a while as I hope to integrate the clean, semi-transparent look you use with the graphics intensive ideas I use.

Film at 11:00!

Wow moo rally coo