Actipro WPF Controls 2018.1 Build 0672: A Review

Actipro WPF Controls 2018.1 Build 0672: A Review

If you are looking for a set of UI controls and components for building beautiful Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) desktop apps, you might want to check out Actipro WPF Controls. In this article, we will review the latest version of this product suite, which is 2018.1 Build 0672. We will cover what are Actipro WPF Controls, what's new in this version, and what are the features and benefits of using them in your WPF projects.

Actipro WPF Controls 2018.1 Build 0672

Introduction

What are Actipro WPF Controls?

Actipro WPF Controls are a vast set of UI controls and components for building beautiful Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) desktop apps. They include over 25 professionally-designed themes that can be easily customized using configurable theme definitions. They also support high-DPI monitors and touch input.

The Actipro WPF Controls include the following products:

• SyntaxEditor - A syntax-highlighting code editor control and parsing suite.

• Bars - Advanced fluent ribbons, toolbars, menus and related controls.

• Docking/MDI - A complete docking tool window and multiple document interface solution.

• Editors - Part-based and masked edit controls, with advanced date/time picker.

• Grids - Advanced PropertyGrid and custom tree (TreeListBox/TreeListView) controls.

• Shell - Windows shell folder and file browsing controls.

• Gauge - A complete set of circular, linear, and digital gauge controls.

• Charts - Visualize complex data sets with stunning charts.

• Micro Charts - Small charts, also called sparklines, designed to visualize complex data.

• Ribbon - Easily add an Office-like user interface that meets all Microsoft specifications.

• Navigation - Navigation bar, explorer bar, breadcrumb, and zoom controls.

• Wizard - Everything you need to create wizard dialogs.

• Shared Library - A set of common controls, useful components, and themes.

You can purchase the entire suite of Actipro WPF Controls or individual products separately. You can also download a free evaluation version from their website.

What's new in version 2018.1 Build 0672?

The latest version of Actipro WPF Controls is 2018.1 Build 0672, which was released on June 12, 2023. This version includes several new features, enhancements, and bug fixes for various products. Some of the highlights are:

• SyntaxEditor - Added a new .NET Languages Add-on that supports C# and Visual Basic code editing, with features such as syntax highlighting, code outlining, IntelliPrompt, code analysis, automated code generation, and more. Also added a new Python Language Add-on that supports Python code editing, with features such as syntax highlighting, code outlining, IntelliPrompt, and more.

• Docking/MDI - Added support for nested dock sites and side-by-side dock sites, which allow for more complex docking scenarios. Also added support for tool window inner fill and tabbed MDI style.

• Editors - Added a new Calculator control that allows users to perform calculations using a standard or scientific calculator interface. Also added a new MonthCalendar control that displays a monthly calendar and allows users to select dates.

• Grids - Added support for filtering and grouping in the DataGrid control (optional add-on). Also added support for displaying custom content in the PropertyGrid control using data templates.

• Ribbon - Added support for key tips, which are keyboard shortcuts that appear when the user presses the Alt key. Also added support for customizing the ribbon title bar content using data templates.

• Shell - Added support for drag-and-drop operations in the shell controls. Also added support for displaying shell object properties in the PropertyGrid control.

• Gauge - Added support for customizing the gauge scales and pointers using data templates. Also added support for displaying digital gauge segments using vector images.

For a complete list of changes in this version, please refer to the release notes.

Features and Benefits

SyntaxEditor

SyntaxEditor is a powerful syntax-highlighting code editor control that lets you add advanced text editing capabilities to your WPF apps. It supports over 20 languages out of the box, and you can also create your own custom languages using the LL(*) Parser Framework or integrate with existing parsers such as ANTLR or Irony. SyntaxEditor also provides features such as code outlining, IntelliPrompt, line numbers, margin indicators, word wrap, virtual space, multiple selections, split views, zooming, bi-directional text, and much more.

Syntax highlighting, code outlining, IntelliPrompt, and more

SyntaxEditor can automatically highlight the syntax of various languages using configurable classification types and styles. You can also customize the highlighting rules using regular expressions or lexical states. SyntaxEditor can also automatically create collapsible regions of text based on the syntax structure or custom criteria. You can also use IntelliPrompt to provide context-sensitive information and assistance to the user, such as completion lists, parameter info, quick info, and code snippets.

LL(*) Parser Framework, ANTLR parser integration, Irony parser integration

SyntaxEditor includes a built-in LL(*) Parser Framework that allows you to create fast and robust parsers for any language using EBNF-like grammar notation. You can also use the framework to perform semantic parsing and generate abstract syntax trees (ASTs) for further analysis or manipulation. Alternatively, you can also integrate with existing parsers such as ANTLR or Irony, which are popular parser generators for various languages. SyntaxEditor can work with any parser that produces an AST or a parse tree.

.NET Languages Add-on, Python Language Add-on, Web Languages Add-on

SyntaxEditor also offers several language add-ons that provide advanced syntax and semantic parsing for specific languages. The .NET Languages Add-on supports C# and Visual Basic code editing, with features such as syntax highlighting, code outlining, IntelliPrompt, code analysis, automated code generation, and more. The Python Language Add-on supports Python code editing, with features such as syntax highlighting, code outlining, IntelliPrompt, and more. The Web Languages Add-on supports HTML, XML, JavaScript, and JSON code editing, with features such as syntax highlighting, code outlining, IntelliPrompt, tag completion, and more.

Docking & MDI

Docking & MDI is a complete docking tool window and multiple document interface solution for WPF apps. It allows you to create flexible and user-friendly layouts that can be dynamically changed by the user or the application. It supports docking tool windows, multiple document interface (MDI), floating document windows, nested dock sites, side-by-side dock sites, tool window inner fill, tabbed and standard MDI styles, custom workspace content, animated transitions, and more.

Docking tool windows, multiple document interface, floating document windows, nested dock sites, side-by-side dock sites, tool window inner fill, tabbed and standard MDI styles, custom workspace content, animated transitions

Docking & MDI lets you create docking tool windows that can be docked to any edge of the main window or within other tool windows. You can also create multiple document interface (MDI) windows that can be arranged in tabs or tiles within the main window. You can also allow the user to float any tool window or document window outside of the main window as a separate window. You can also create nested dock sites and side-by-side dock sites that allow for more complex docking scenarios. You can also use the tool window inner fill feature to fill the remaining space in a dock site with a custom content. You can also choose between tabbed and standard MDI styles for your document windows. You can also customize the workspace content that is displayed when there are no document windows open. You can also enable animated transitions that smoothly move and resize the windows when they are docked or floated.

Editors

Editors is a set of part-based and masked edit controls for WPF apps. They allow you to create user interfaces for editing various data types such as dates, times, numbers, colors, enums, and more. They also support features such as data binding, validation, input masks, spin buttons, drop-down buttons, auto-complete, and more.

Part-based and masked edit controls, date/time picker, property grid integration

Editors includes a set of part-based edit controls that allow you to edit various data types using a combination of parts such as text boxes, spinners, drop-downs, buttons, and more. For example, you can use the DateTimeEdit control to edit date and time values using a text box and a drop-down calendar. You can also use the EnumEdit control to edit enum values using a text box and a drop-down list. You can also use the MaskedTextBox control to edit any text value using a regular expression-based input mask. You can also use the PropertyGrid control to display and edit the properties of any object using the appropriate part-based edit controls.

Edit box controls for common .NET data types, regex-based masked textbox, auto-complete box, calculator, month calendar, star rating, gradient stop slider, color component pickers

Editors also includes a set of edit box controls that allow you to edit common .NET data types such as strings, numbers, booleans, colors, brushes, fonts, and more. For example, you can use the DoubleEditBox control to edit double-precision floating-point values using a text box with spin buttons. You can also use the ColorEditBox control to edit color values using a text box with a drop-down color picker. You can also use the RegexMaskedTextBox control to edit any text value using a regular expression-based input mask. You can also use the AutoCompleteBox control to edit any text value using a text box with a drop-down list of suggestions. You can also use the Calculator control to perform calculations using a standard or scientific calculator interface. You can also use the MonthCalendar control to display a monthly calendar and select dates. You can also use the StarRating control to rate items using stars. You can also use the GradientStopSlider control to edit gradient stops using a slider. You can also use the ColorComponentSlider and ColorComponentEditBox controls to edit color components such as hue, saturation, brightness, red, green, blue, alpha, and more.

Grids

Grids is a set of advanced grid controls for WPF apps. They allow you to display and edit data in various ways such as property grids, tree views, and data grids. They also support features such as sorting, filtering, grouping, editing, selection, validation, virtualization, and more.

PropertyGrid control for editing object properties

The PropertyGrid control allows you to display and edit the properties of any object using a grid-like interface. You can use attributes to customize the appearance and behavior of the properties, such as category, display name, description, editor, converter, validator, and more. You can also use data templates to display custom content for the properties. The PropertyGrid control supports various property types, such as strings, numbers, booleans, enums, collections, colors, brushes, fonts, and more. You can also use the PropertyGrid control to edit the properties of multiple objects at once.

TreeListBox and TreeListView controls for custom tree views

The TreeListBox and TreeListView controls allow you to display hierarchical data in a tree-like interface. The TreeListBox control displays the data using a single column of text, while the TreeListView control displays the data using multiple columns of text and images. You can use data templates to customize the appearance of the tree nodes. You can also use data binding to populate the tree with any data source that supports hierarchical data, such as XML, JSON, or LINQ. The tree controls support features such as sorting, filtering, editing, selection, drag-and-drop, virtualization, and more.

DataGrid control for displaying tabular data (optional add-on)

The DataGrid control allows you to display and edit tabular data in a grid-like interface. You can use data binding to populate the grid with any data source that supports collections or tables, such as DataTable, DataView, DataSet, ObservableCollection, or IEnumerable. The DataGrid control supports features such as sorting, filtering, grouping, editing, selection, validation, virtualization, and more. You can also use data templates to customize the appearance of the grid cells. The DataGrid control is an optional add-on that requires a separate license.

Ribbon

Ribbon is a set of controls that allows you to create an Office-like user interface that meets all Microsoft specifications. It includes a ribbon control that displays fluent ribbon tabs and groups, contextual tabs, backstage view, quick access toolbar, screen tips, key tips, and more. It also includes a set of toolbars and menus that have advanced features such as chevron support and overflow menus. You can use data binding, commands, or code to populate the ribbon with any content you want.

Office-like user interface that meets Microsoft specifications

The ribbon control allows you to create a user interface that resembles the Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. The ribbon control follows the Microsoft Ribbon design guidelines and specifications, which ensure a consistent and intuitive user experience. You can also choose from various themes and styles to customize the appearance of the ribbon.

Fluent ribbon tabs and groups, contextual tabs, backstage view, quick access toolbar, screen tips, key tips

The ribbon control consists of several components that provide different functionality and information to the user. The main component is the fluent ribbon tab, which displays a set of related commands in groups. You can also create contextual tabs that appear only when certain conditions are met, such as selecting a specific object or performing a specific task. The backstage view is a special tab that displays application-level commands and settings, such as open, save, print, options, and more. The quick access toolbar is a small toolbar that displays frequently used commands and can be customized by the user. The screen tips are small pop-ups that display additional information about a command or control when the user hovers over it. The key tips are keyboard shortcuts that appear when the user presses the Alt key.

Toolbars and menus with advanced features such as chevron support and overflow menus

In addition to the ribbon control, Ribbon also includes a set of toolbars and menus that can be used to display commands and options in a traditional way. The toolbars and menus support features such as chevron support and overflow menus, which allow you to handle situations where there is not enough space to display all the items. You can also use data binding, commands, or code to populate the toolbars and menus with any content you want.

Shell

Shell is a set of controls that allows you to browse and manipulate the Windows shell folder and file system. It includes a shell tree view, a shell list view, a shell combo box, and a shell breadcrumb bar. You can use these controls to display and edit the shell objects such as folders, files, drives, network locations, libraries, and more. You can also use data binding, commands, or code to customize the behavior and appearance of the shell controls.

Windows shell folder and file browsing controls

The shell tree view control allows you to display the hierarchical structure of the shell folder system in a tree-like interface. You can use it to navigate and select shell folders and files. The shell list view control allows you to display the contents of a shell folder in a list-like interface. You can use it to view and edit the properties and attributes of shell folders and files. The shell combo box control allows you to display and select a shell folder or file using a drop-down list. You can use it to quickly jump to a specific location in the shell folder system. The shell breadcrumb bar control allows you to display and navigate the current path of a shell folder or file using a series of buttons. You can use it to easily move up or down the shell folder hierarchy.

Shell object property grid integration and drag-and-drop support

The shell controls also support displaying and editing the properties of any shell object using the PropertyGrid control. You can use this feature to provide detailed information and options for the user. The shell controls also support drag-and-drop operations, which allow you to move or copy shell objects between different locations or applications.

Gauge

Gauge is a set of controls that allows you to create stunning gauges for your WPF apps. It includes a circular gauge control, a linear gauge control, and a digital gauge control. You can use these controls to display and edit various types of data such as numeric values, percentages, ranges, ratings, statuses, and more. You can also use data binding, commands, or code to customize the behavior and appearance of the gauge controls.

Circular gauge control with multiple scales and pointers

The circular gauge control allows you to display data using a circular scale with one or more pointers. You can use it to create analog clocks, speedometers, compasses, thermometers, and more. You can customize the shape, size, color, style, orientation, angle, and range of the circular scale. You can also customize the shape, size, color, style, and value of the pointers. You can also add multiple scales and pointers to the same gauge to display different data sets.

Linear gauge control with horizontal or vertical orientation

The linear gauge control allows you to display data using a linear scale with one or more pointers. You can use it to create progress bars, sliders, rulers, thermometers, and more. You can customize the shape, size, color, style, orientation, and range of the linear scale. You can also customize the shape, size, color, style, and value of the pointers. You can also add multiple scales and pointers to the same gauge to display different data sets.

Digital gauge control with LED-style digits and symbols

The digital gauge control allows you to display data using LED-style digits and symbols. You can use it to create digital clocks, timers, counters, scores, and more. You can customize the shape, size, color, style, and value of the digits and symbols. You can also use various formats and cultures to display the data in different ways.

Conclusion

In this article, we have reviewed the Actipro WPF Controls 2018.1 Build 0672, which is a set of UI controls and components for building beautiful Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) desktop apps. We have covered what are Actipro WPF Controls, what's new in this version, and what are the features and benefits of using them in your WPF projects. We have also seen some examples of how to use some of the controls in your apps.

If you are interested in trying out the Actipro WPF Controls 2018.1 Build 0672, you can download a free evaluation version from their website. You can also purchase the e