About Button Objx

Create fully customized active buttons and toolbars as well as custom-shaped containers.

Button Objx is an ActiveX component designed to replace the Windows button component to create visually enhanced buttons. It allows you to dynamically change pictures and shapes, add multiple hotspots within a custom-shaped region, and more. Features include: IE or Netscape-style buttons, make buttons or individual cells transparent, 3D text characteristics, and much more.

New Features in Button Objx 2.0 include:

  • Create an Internet- or Netscape-style button
  • Create a toolbar easily
  • Use a picture to define the shape of the button or an individual cell
  • Load a button template in a cell
  • Set segment-related properties for individual cells
  • Make the button or individual cells transparent
  • Apply three-dimensional text characteristics to text in individual cells
  • Display a drop shadow for the button
  • Display a different picture when the mouse pointer is over the button or an individual cell
  • Specify text to display in the fpBln control when the mouse pointer is over a cell
  • Disable individual cells
  • Resize the button automatically based on the size of its parent and specify the offset from the edges of the button
  • Specify the space between the cell contents and the cell boundaries
  • Display the balloon statically for the control with the focus
  • Create a custom-shaped balloon using a template you created in Button Designer

Button Overview

  • Easily replace the Windows button control
  • Create active-style buttons with or without 3D borders
  • Create a toolbar or tool palate
  • Use one button to perform multiple operations using hotspots, saving valuable system resources
  • Display a different picture for the up, down, and disabled states or when the mouse pointer is over the button or an individual cell
  • Use as a container to host other controls
  • Dynamically change the shape or characteristics of the button in response to your user
  • Automatically resize the button based on the parent size and specify offsets

Cell Overview

  • Create up to 512 cells or regions per button
  • Each cell can contain text, pictures, act as a hotspot, or display special 3D effects
  • Make the individual cells or entire button transparent
  • Use a picture to define the shape of an individual cell or the entire button
  • Load a previously saved button template into a cell
  • Apply three-dimensional text to individual cells
  • Disable individual cells
  • Specify the space between the cell contents and the cell boundaries

Cell Details

  • Create up to 512 "cells", or regions, each with its own:
  • Text, Font and Color for both the "up" and "down" states of the control
  • Pictures for the up, down, and disabled states of the control or when the mouse passes over the cell
  • Custom alignment of the text and pictures within the cell
  • Three-dimensional appearance, including "active borders" which show the 3D effect around the cell only when the mouse passes over it
  • Orientation by rotating the cell in 90 degree increments or displaying the text vertically
  • Text for the balloon control to display when the mouse passes over the cell
  • Shape using up to 512 "segments", or lines, using different shapes for each line

Balloon Control

  • Display a help balloon (tool tip) displaying customized text when the cursor is over most development controls
  • Choose from four balloon shapes (round, square, ellipse, or cloud) or customize your own shape by loading a button template into the balloon
  • Choose an optional tail type (straight or bubble)
  • Display an optional drop shadow behind the balloon
  • Automatically resize the balloon to fit its text
  • Change the balloon's appearance or content at design time or at run time
  • Share the balloon across multiple windows

Button Designer

  • Easily customize your shape at design time using the Button Designer's Cell Editor, Segment Editor and Button Editor
  • Use the Cell Editor to assign text colors, hotspots, or bitmaps to each button cell
  • Use the Segment Editor to assign a shape (square, ellipse, round, or straight) to each button segment or cell
  • Use the Button Editor to select cells or segments, drag-and-drop cells and grab handles, and resize cells and segments using the built-in alignment grid
  • Create template files that can be loaded at design-time or at run-time into the button or into a cell
  • Begin your design with one of 16 pre-defined templates