Seven steps to create a panel.

Choose a colour for your panel. If you are going to use a gradient filled background then you will need to choose a second colour. You can colour the background and client area with different colours. If this is the case choose three colours. You can also use a gradient filled background for the client area, so you may need one more colour. Now that you have chosen your colours move on to step two.
Choose the shape of your panel. You can have a square or rounded panel. If you choose a rounded panel you can apply the same radius to all corners, or you can specify the radius for each corner individually.
Choose an edge for your panel.
If you have chosen a gradient filled background then specify the direction and steepness of the gradient. Do this for the panel background and client area.
Decide on the border for your panel. Choose none, a flat, raised or lowered border.
Choose which images you want to place on the panel. You can choose from the predefined images or you can use your own. Choose to have a foreground image, a watermark or even an animated GIF. If you go for an animation you will also need to specify its speed.
Decide if your panel should have a title. If so decide on the position, colour and background for the title.

You have now finished your panel, we are sure it looks great!




Panel can be used to give your applications a modern fresh look with its rounded corners and gradient filled backgrounds. There is however more to it than that. Colours and styles can be used to show the logical structure of applications, to provide grouping and to highlight important facts, figures and functions. All this makes for better applications.

Background

The background lays the visual foundation of Panel and the application. For this background you can specify the appearance of the edge and the interior. The edge can be raised, lowered or flat, its width configurable. The interior can be transparent, filled with one or two colours. There are many different properties that determine how the two colours in a faded background combine.

Border

A panel can have a raised, lowered or flat border, its width configurable.

Client area

The client area, which is that area contained within the border, can also be filled with one or two colours. Once again there are many different properties that determine how the two colours in a faded background combine. The transparency of the client area can be adjusted so that the panel and client backgrounds combine to produce the final appearance. You can also combine Panels to produce interesting and attractive affects.

Corners

It is possible to specify the radius of the panel corners. The radius of each corner can be specified individually.

Images

Panel can display a foreground image, watermark and animated gif. The size and position of these images can be specified. The opacity of the watermark and animated gif may also be specified. Panel includes predefined images; you can also use your own.

Title

A title can be drawn on the panel border. The size, location, text and background of the title are configurable.

Some tips for colouring: Don't use too many colours, a handful is usually good enough. The colours should be easily distinguishable but also harmonious. Don't choose colours scattered all over the colour circle, rather select a few areas and use variations within those areas. Use the cool colours (blues and greens) for background and status; the warm colours (reds and yellows) for actions and operations.

Some tips for layout: Avoid sparse or cluttered layouts. Place important information or operations first or draw emphasis toward them. Minimise eye and cursor movement. Consider general use, the layout should be geared toward it. Use white space to show grouping. Try to maintain balance; the layout should not be skew or lopsided.