How Can I Create Custom Buttons with Connecting Lines in Windows Forms?

Create a custom button with connectors in Windows Forms

You want to create a custom button or user control that can be wired to have functionality similar to that shown in the provided GUI. This article is intended to guide you through this process.

Choose the appropriate function

For creating connection lines, a suitable choice in Windows Forms is the Graphics class. This class provides methods for drawing lines, allowing you to establish connections between controls.

Make sure the control snaps to the line

1. Determine snap points: Define specific points on the control where lines can connect. These specified points, called "snap points," enable the control to align precisely with the connection line.
2. Use modifiers: Modifiers are graphical elements that exist in the control layout. Use modifiers to visually represent snap points at the edges of controls.
3. Implement line drawing: Use the DrawLine method of the Graphics class to draw lines between snap points. This method ensures that the line is aligned with the specified point, maintaining alignment with the control.

Example implementation

The following code example shows how to create custom controls and draw connecting lines between them:

using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;

namespace CustomControlsWithLines
{
    public class CustomControl : Control
    {
        // 定义捕捉点位置
        private Point[] snapPoints;

        // 绘制连接线
        protected override void OnPaint(PaintEventArgs e)
        {
            base.OnPaint(e);
            Graphics g = e.Graphics;

            // 循环遍历捕捉点
            for (int i = 0; i < snapPoints.Length; i++)
            {
                // 绘制捕捉点（可选，用于可视化）
                g.DrawEllipse(Pens.Red, snapPoints[i].X - 2, snapPoints[i].Y - 2, 4, 4);

                // 连接到其他控件的捕捉点（需要实现连接逻辑）
                // ...
            }
        }
    }
}

Remember that achieving the desired functionality requires careful consideration of control alignment, snap point placement, and line drawing mechanisms. By following the provided guidelines, you can effectively create custom buttons with wired connections in Windows Forms.

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