[C#] Own component with panel

Question

Hi,

I want to create my own component which consists two other panels. One of them has fixed contents (such as control buttons, etc.) and the other is standard panel, where I can add other components in designer (VS2008). I know that I have to create UserControl, where I can place my two panels. Then I want to insert my component into the form. But I don't know how to create behavior where I can add other components (such as buttons, labels, etc.) only into second panel in my component. Could anyone help me with creating this component?

Thank you. Adam.

Answer 1

Here is an example (snippet of working code):

  [Designer(typeof(NavigationalUserControl.Designer))]
  public partial class NavigationalUserControl : UserControl
  {
    class Designer : ControlDesigner 
    {
      public override void Initialize(IComponent component)
      {
        base.Initialize(component);
        var nc = component as NavigationalUserControl;
        EnableDesignMode(nc.panel2, "ContainerPanel"); 
        EnableDesignMode(nc.bottomPanel, "BottomPanel");
      }
    }

    // rest of normal class
  }

Answer 2

I have found the correct solution (I hope). I have added into my UserControl a property which returns the content panel with this specific Attribute:

[DesignerSerializationVisibility(DesignerSerializationVisibility.Content)]
public Panel PanelContent
{
   get { return this.panel2; }
}

Thanks for your help leppie