Colors Mfc Feature Pack

Understanding MFC Feature Pack Colors in Office 2007 Style

Are you trying to modernize your legacy C++ application using the MFC Feature Pack released by Microsoft for Visual Studio 2008? If yes, you have likely encountered the challenge of integrating new color schemes to match the sleek Office 2007 aesthetic, especially for owner-drawn controls. In this blog post, we will guide you on how to identify and retrieve the specific colors being used in the MFC Feature Pack when emulating the Office 2007 style.

The Need for Color Consistency

When updating your application to utilize features from the MFC Feature Pack, it’s crucial that all elements within your application maintain a cohesive appearance. This includes:

  • Gradient-filled window titles
  • Status bars
  • Ribbon toolbars with specific color styles

In order to make your owner-drawn controls visually compatible with these newer UI elements, you’ll need to determine the exact colors in use at runtime.

Why Is It Difficult to Find These Colors?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward documentation outlining the exact color schemes being utilized in the runtime environment of the MFC Feature Pack. Many developers have experienced similar frustration when seeking this precise information, primarily because it often requires delving deeper into the framework’s internal mechanisms.

Finding the MFC Colors at Runtime

Step 1: Access the MFC Source Code

One of the easiest ways to find out which colors are in use is to check the MFC source code itself. Here’s how you can access it:

  1. Navigate to: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Visual Studio 9.0\VC\atlmfc\src\mfc
  2. Look for the relevant files that correspond to the UI elements you are interested in (like toolbar, status bar, etc.).

Step 2: Utilizing CMFCVisualManager

The CMFCVisualManager class is critical as it provides several static functions that allow customization of visual themes. To set the default manager, you can use the following code snippet:

CMFCVisualManager::SetDefaultManager(RUNTIME_CLASS(CMFCVisualManagerOffice2007));

This line sets your application to use the Office 2007 visual style.

Step 3: Inspecting Run Time Colors

To check what colors are currently in use, look for methods provided within the visual manager that correspond to the elements you want to style. While it can be a bit cumbersome, this method will give you important insights into the colors you should employ in your owner-drawn controls to ensure a seamless integration.

Additional Resources

For further assistance, you can refer to the official MSDN documentation which provides a comprehensive overview of available styles: Link to MSDN

Conclusion

Updating your legacy C++ application to use the MFC Feature Pack and achieve a modern look in line with Office 2007 styles can indeed be challenging—especially when it comes to determining the colors used in the application. By accessing the MFC source code and utilizing the capabilities of CMFCVisualManager, you can successfully align your application’s appearance with current visual standards. Always remember to check the documentation and the source code as necessary tools in your development arsenal.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to reach out or comment below!