Vista - AERO Gui Framework

We're considering revamping the GUI to a Windows app that was written
with Win32 (not MFC).

We're considering: Windows Forms, MFC, Qt (from Trolltech), and now Aero.

Have I got this correct? Is Aero a new GUI framework for Vista or
simply the new laf. Will legacy MFC apps be able to take advantage of
the new laf?

Questions:
1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?

2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
(i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
run on XP, etc.)

3. Are there any good "official" links on this?


Thanks in advance,
Mark
mark_at_arguslab_dot_com

> Questions:
> 1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?

Yep - it uses technologies within Vista such as WinFX to render itself...
well it will once the vector Glass comes out. At the moment, it's just put
together with transparent PNG's and a few extra bits and bobs.

> 2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
> (i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
> run on XP, etc.)

I'm afraid not ( Glass will only work on Vista and Windows Server
"Longhorn" (but you have to kickstart the Themes service and still have the
minimum hardware)

> 3. Are there any good "official" links on this?
There are a few relating to Glass:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/abo..._092805_2.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...s/default.mspx

--
Zack Whittaker
» ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk
» MSBlog on ResDev: www.msblog.org
» Vista Knowledge Base: www.vistabase.co.uk
» This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not
of my employer, best friend, Ghandi, my mother or my cat. Glad we cleared
that up!

--: Original message follows :--
"planaria" <mark@arguslab.com> wrote in message
news:uuOdnVPCscSO9eHZRVn-uw@seanet.com...
>
> We're considering revamping the GUI to a Windows app that was written with
> Win32 (not MFC).
>
> We're considering: Windows Forms, MFC, Qt (from Trolltech), and now Aero.
>
> Have I got this correct? Is Aero a new GUI framework for Vista or simply
> the new laf. Will legacy MFC apps be able to take advantage of the new
> laf?
>
> Questions:
> 1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?
>
> 2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
> (i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
> run on XP, etc.)
>
> 3. Are there any good "official" links on this?
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Mark
> mark_at_arguslab_dot_com
>
>

Aero (Glass) isn't really a new GUI framework (sorry Zack . It's a
look-and-feel as you said. It is powered by some new technology shared with
WPF (formerly Avalon), which IS a new GUI Framework.

You can incorporate some of the Aero Glass LAF into your Win32 or MFC apps.
Primarily by allowing some of the client area of your windows to be rendered
in the translucent glass that titlebars get. Look for apis like
DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea and in the dwm.h header of the Vista SDK.
Hopefully more of this kind of thing will get documented in the future.

There's also a new Wizard API, a new type of MessageBox (the Task Dialog)
and UX guidelines for fonts and other layout issues that will make your
Win32 or MFC apps fit in with Vista. There's also the Common Dialogs and a
theme drawing API for drawing your custom control with the same look as the
built in controls. Again, all of this isn't terribly well documented yet, so
I can't send you to the definitive source. I don't think much if any of this
will be backwards compatible with XP.

WPF is a new GUI framework as I said. There are ways to embed WPF content in
Win32 and Windows Forms applications as well. WPF will be available on XP
and Vista.

"planaria" <mark@arguslab.com> wrote in message
news:uuOdnVPCscSO9eHZRVn-uw@seanet.com...
>
> We're considering revamping the GUI to a Windows app that was written with
> Win32 (not MFC).
>
> We're considering: Windows Forms, MFC, Qt (from Trolltech), and now Aero.
>
> Have I got this correct? Is Aero a new GUI framework for Vista or simply
> the new laf. Will legacy MFC apps be able to take advantage of the new
> laf?
>
> Questions:
> 1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?
>
> 2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
> (i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
> run on XP, etc.)
>
> 3. Are there any good "official" links on this?
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Mark
> mark_at_arguslab_dot_com
>
>

It's OK ) I was pointing out the vector graphics based Glass which I've
seen (they haven't put it into a beta of Vista yet) - which obviously bases
itself on WPF which, as you said, IS a GUI framework ;o)

--
Zack Whittaker
» ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk
» MSBlog on ResDev: www.msblog.org
» Vista Knowledge Base: www.vistabase.co.uk
» This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not
of my employer, best friend, Ghandi, my mother or my cat. Glad we cleared
that up!

--: Original message follows :--
"Chris Altmann" <avalid@emailaddress.zoo> wrote in message
news:e1js9eEhGHA.4304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Aero (Glass) isn't really a new GUI framework (sorry Zack . It's a
> look-and-feel as you said. It is powered by some new technology shared
> with WPF (formerly Avalon), which IS a new GUI Framework.
>
> You can incorporate some of the Aero Glass LAF into your Win32 or MFC
> apps. Primarily by allowing some of the client area of your windows to be
> rendered in the translucent glass that titlebars get. Look for apis like
> DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea and in the dwm.h header of the Vista SDK.
> Hopefully more of this kind of thing will get documented in the future.
>
> There's also a new Wizard API, a new type of MessageBox (the Task Dialog)
> and UX guidelines for fonts and other layout issues that will make your
> Win32 or MFC apps fit in with Vista. There's also the Common Dialogs and a
> theme drawing API for drawing your custom control with the same look as
> the built in controls. Again, all of this isn't terribly well documented
> yet, so I can't send you to the definitive source. I don't think much if
> any of this will be backwards compatible with XP.
>
> WPF is a new GUI framework as I said. There are ways to embed WPF content
> in Win32 and Windows Forms applications as well. WPF will be available on
> XP and Vista.
>
> "planaria" <mark@arguslab.com> wrote in message
> news:uuOdnVPCscSO9eHZRVn-uw@seanet.com...
>>
>> We're considering revamping the GUI to a Windows app that was written
>> with Win32 (not MFC).
>>
>> We're considering: Windows Forms, MFC, Qt (from Trolltech), and now Aero.
>>
>> Have I got this correct? Is Aero a new GUI framework for Vista or simply
>> the new laf. Will legacy MFC apps be able to take advantage of the new
>> laf?
>>
>> Questions:
>> 1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?
>>
>> 2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
>> (i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
>> run on XP, etc.)
>>
>> 3. Are there any good "official" links on this?
>>
>>
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Mark
>> mark_at_arguslab_dot_com
>>
>>
>
>

I doubt it's based on WPF, but more likely the unmanaged "milcore" layer
that WPF shares with Vista, hence my "powered by some new technology"
reference.

"Zack Whittaker" <admin@zacknet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:%232P%23JHKhGHA.896@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> It's OK ) I was pointing out the vector graphics based Glass which I've
> seen (they haven't put it into a beta of Vista yet) - which obviously
> bases itself on WPF which, as you said, IS a GUI framework ;o)
>
> --
> Zack Whittaker
> » ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk
> » MSBlog on ResDev: www.msblog.org
> » Vista Knowledge Base: www.vistabase.co.uk
> » This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and
> not
> of my employer, best friend, Ghandi, my mother or my cat. Glad we cleared
> that up!
>
> --: Original message follows :--
> "Chris Altmann" <avalid@emailaddress.zoo> wrote in message
> news:e1js9eEhGHA.4304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Aero (Glass) isn't really a new GUI framework (sorry Zack . It's a
>> look-and-feel as you said. It is powered by some new technology shared
>> with WPF (formerly Avalon), which IS a new GUI Framework.
>>
>> You can incorporate some of the Aero Glass LAF into your Win32 or MFC
>> apps. Primarily by allowing some of the client area of your windows to be
>> rendered in the translucent glass that titlebars get. Look for apis like
>> DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea and in the dwm.h header of the Vista SDK.
>> Hopefully more of this kind of thing will get documented in the future.
>>
>> There's also a new Wizard API, a new type of MessageBox (the Task Dialog)
>> and UX guidelines for fonts and other layout issues that will make your
>> Win32 or MFC apps fit in with Vista. There's also the Common Dialogs and
>> a theme drawing API for drawing your custom control with the same look as
>> the built in controls. Again, all of this isn't terribly well documented
>> yet, so I can't send you to the definitive source. I don't think much if
>> any of this will be backwards compatible with XP.
>>
>> WPF is a new GUI framework as I said. There are ways to embed WPF content
>> in Win32 and Windows Forms applications as well. WPF will be available on
>> XP and Vista.
>>
>> "planaria" <mark@arguslab.com> wrote in message
>> news:uuOdnVPCscSO9eHZRVn-uw@seanet.com...
>>>
>>> We're considering revamping the GUI to a Windows app that was written
>>> with Win32 (not MFC).
>>>
>>> We're considering: Windows Forms, MFC, Qt (from Trolltech), and now
>>> Aero.
>>>
>>> Have I got this correct? Is Aero a new GUI framework for Vista or
>>> simply the new laf. Will legacy MFC apps be able to take advantage of
>>> the new laf?
>>>
>>> Questions:
>>> 1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?
>>>
>>> 2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
>>> (i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
>>> run on XP, etc.)
>>>
>>> 3. Are there any good "official" links on this?
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> Mark
>>> mark_at_arguslab_dot_com
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Vector Glass will be WPF powered - not sure on what level, but will be )

--
Zack Whittaker
» ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk
» MSBlog on ResDev: www.msblog.org
» Vista Knowledge Base: www.vistabase.co.uk
» This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not
of my employer, best friend, Ghandi, my mother or my cat. Glad we cleared
that up!

--: Original message follows :--
"Chris Altmann" <altmann@surewest.net> wrote in message
news:34987126-D73A-4541-B0F8-407F26510D93@microsoft.com...
>I doubt it's based on WPF, but more likely the unmanaged "milcore" layer
>that WPF shares with Vista, hence my "powered by some new technology"
>reference.
>
> "Zack Whittaker" <admin@zacknet.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:%232P%23JHKhGHA.896@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> It's OK ) I was pointing out the vector graphics based Glass which I've
>> seen (they haven't put it into a beta of Vista yet) - which obviously
>> bases itself on WPF which, as you said, IS a GUI framework ;o)
>>
>> --
>> Zack Whittaker
>> » ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk
>> » MSBlog on ResDev: www.msblog.org
>> » Vista Knowledge Base: www.vistabase.co.uk
>> » This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and
>> not
>> of my employer, best friend, Ghandi, my mother or my cat. Glad we cleared
>> that up!
>>
>> --: Original message follows :--
>> "Chris Altmann" <avalid@emailaddress.zoo> wrote in message
>> news:e1js9eEhGHA.4304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Aero (Glass) isn't really a new GUI framework (sorry Zack . It's a
>>> look-and-feel as you said. It is powered by some new technology shared
>>> with WPF (formerly Avalon), which IS a new GUI Framework.
>>>
>>> You can incorporate some of the Aero Glass LAF into your Win32 or MFC
>>> apps. Primarily by allowing some of the client area of your windows to
>>> be rendered in the translucent glass that titlebars get. Look for apis
>>> like DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea and in the dwm.h header of the Vista
>>> SDK. Hopefully more of this kind of thing will get documented in the
>>> future.
>>>
>>> There's also a new Wizard API, a new type of MessageBox (the Task
>>> Dialog) and UX guidelines for fonts and other layout issues that will
>>> make your Win32 or MFC apps fit in with Vista. There's also the Common
>>> Dialogs and a theme drawing API for drawing your custom control with the
>>> same look as the built in controls. Again, all of this isn't terribly
>>> well documented yet, so I can't send you to the definitive source. I
>>> don't think much if any of this will be backwards compatible with XP.
>>>
>>> WPF is a new GUI framework as I said. There are ways to embed WPF
>>> content in Win32 and Windows Forms applications as well. WPF will be
>>> available on XP and Vista.
>>>
>>> "planaria" <mark@arguslab.com> wrote in message
>>> news:uuOdnVPCscSO9eHZRVn-uw@seanet.com...
>>>>
>>>> We're considering revamping the GUI to a Windows app that was written
>>>> with Win32 (not MFC).
>>>>
>>>> We're considering: Windows Forms, MFC, Qt (from Trolltech), and now
>>>> Aero.
>>>>
>>>> Have I got this correct? Is Aero a new GUI framework for Vista or
>>>> simply the new laf. Will legacy MFC apps be able to take advantage of
>>>> the new laf?
>>>>
>>>> Questions:
>>>> 1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?
>>>>
>>>> 2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
>>>> (i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
>>>> run on XP, etc.)
>>>>
>>>> 3. Are there any good "official" links on this?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>> Mark
>>>> mark_at_arguslab_dot_com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>

When you say seen, you must referring to what you saw last year at WinHEC.
Right now, Vector Glass in Vista is nothing speculation.
--
--
Andre
Windows Connected | http://www.windowsconnected.com
Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta

"Zack Whittaker" <admin@zacknet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:%232P%23JHKhGHA.896@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> It's OK ) I was pointing out the vector graphics based Glass which I've
> seen (they haven't put it into a beta of Vista yet) - which obviously
> bases itself on WPF which, as you said, IS a GUI framework ;o)
>
> --
> Zack Whittaker
> » ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk
> » MSBlog on ResDev: www.msblog.org
> » Vista Knowledge Base: www.vistabase.co.uk
> » This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
> rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and
> not
> of my employer, best friend, Ghandi, my mother or my cat. Glad we cleared
> that up!
>
> --: Original message follows :--
> "Chris Altmann" <avalid@emailaddress.zoo> wrote in message
> news:e1js9eEhGHA.4304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Aero (Glass) isn't really a new GUI framework (sorry Zack . It's a
>> look-and-feel as you said. It is powered by some new technology shared
>> with WPF (formerly Avalon), which IS a new GUI Framework.
>>
>> You can incorporate some of the Aero Glass LAF into your Win32 or MFC
>> apps. Primarily by allowing some of the client area of your windows to be
>> rendered in the translucent glass that titlebars get. Look for apis like
>> DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea and in the dwm.h header of the Vista SDK.
>> Hopefully more of this kind of thing will get documented in the future.
>>
>> There's also a new Wizard API, a new type of MessageBox (the Task Dialog)
>> and UX guidelines for fonts and other layout issues that will make your
>> Win32 or MFC apps fit in with Vista. There's also the Common Dialogs and
>> a theme drawing API for drawing your custom control with the same look as
>> the built in controls. Again, all of this isn't terribly well documented
>> yet, so I can't send you to the definitive source. I don't think much if
>> any of this will be backwards compatible with XP.
>>
>> WPF is a new GUI framework as I said. There are ways to embed WPF content
>> in Win32 and Windows Forms applications as well. WPF will be available on
>> XP and Vista.
>>
>> "planaria" <mark@arguslab.com> wrote in message
>> news:uuOdnVPCscSO9eHZRVn-uw@seanet.com...
>>>
>>> We're considering revamping the GUI to a Windows app that was written
>>> with Win32 (not MFC).
>>>
>>> We're considering: Windows Forms, MFC, Qt (from Trolltech), and now
>>> Aero.
>>>
>>> Have I got this correct? Is Aero a new GUI framework for Vista or
>>> simply the new laf. Will legacy MFC apps be able to take advantage of
>>> the new laf?
>>>
>>> Questions:
>>> 1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?
>>>
>>> 2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
>>> (i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
>>> run on XP, etc.)
>>>
>>> 3. Are there any good "official" links on this?
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance,
>>> Mark
>>> mark_at_arguslab_dot_com
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Actually yeh... no idea why I said that to be honest... there's no such
thing as Vector Glass s

--
Zack Whittaker
» ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk
» MSBlog on ResDev: www.msblog.org
» Vista Knowledge Base: www.vistabase.co.uk
» This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and not
of my employer, best friend, Ghandi, my mother or my cat. Glad we cleared
that up!

--: Original message follows :--
"Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" <andred25@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:%23QhN8oqhGHA.4404@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> When you say seen, you must referring to what you saw last year at WinHEC.
> Right now, Vector Glass in Vista is nothing speculation.
> --
> --
> Andre
> Windows Connected | http://www.windowsconnected.com
> Extended64 | http://www.extended64.com
> Blog | http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
> http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
>
> "Zack Whittaker" <admin@zacknet.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:%232P%23JHKhGHA.896@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> It's OK ) I was pointing out the vector graphics based Glass which I've
>> seen (they haven't put it into a beta of Vista yet) - which obviously
>> bases itself on WPF which, as you said, IS a GUI framework ;o)
>>
>> --
>> Zack Whittaker
>> » ZackNET Enterprises: www.zacknet.co.uk
>> » MSBlog on ResDev: www.msblog.org
>> » Vista Knowledge Base: www.vistabase.co.uk
>> » This mailing is provided "as is" with no warranties, and confers no
>> rights. All opinions expressed are those of myself unless stated so, and
>> not
>> of my employer, best friend, Ghandi, my mother or my cat. Glad we cleared
>> that up!
>>
>> --: Original message follows :--
>> "Chris Altmann" <avalid@emailaddress.zoo> wrote in message
>> news:e1js9eEhGHA.4304@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Aero (Glass) isn't really a new GUI framework (sorry Zack . It's a
>>> look-and-feel as you said. It is powered by some new technology shared
>>> with WPF (formerly Avalon), which IS a new GUI Framework.
>>>
>>> You can incorporate some of the Aero Glass LAF into your Win32 or MFC
>>> apps. Primarily by allowing some of the client area of your windows to
>>> be rendered in the translucent glass that titlebars get. Look for apis
>>> like DwmExtendFrameIntoClientArea and in the dwm.h header of the Vista
>>> SDK. Hopefully more of this kind of thing will get documented in the
>>> future.
>>>
>>> There's also a new Wizard API, a new type of MessageBox (the Task
>>> Dialog) and UX guidelines for fonts and other layout issues that will
>>> make your Win32 or MFC apps fit in with Vista. There's also the Common
>>> Dialogs and a theme drawing API for drawing your custom control with the
>>> same look as the built in controls. Again, all of this isn't terribly
>>> well documented yet, so I can't send you to the definitive source. I
>>> don't think much if any of this will be backwards compatible with XP.
>>>
>>> WPF is a new GUI framework as I said. There are ways to embed WPF
>>> content in Win32 and Windows Forms applications as well. WPF will be
>>> available on XP and Vista.
>>>
>>> "planaria" <mark@arguslab.com> wrote in message
>>> news:uuOdnVPCscSO9eHZRVn-uw@seanet.com...
>>>>
>>>> We're considering revamping the GUI to a Windows app that was written
>>>> with Win32 (not MFC).
>>>>
>>>> We're considering: Windows Forms, MFC, Qt (from Trolltech), and now
>>>> Aero.
>>>>
>>>> Have I got this correct? Is Aero a new GUI framework for Vista or
>>>> simply the new laf. Will legacy MFC apps be able to take advantage of
>>>> the new laf?
>>>>
>>>> Questions:
>>>> 1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?
>>>>
>>>> 2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
>>>> (i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
>>>> run on XP, etc.)
>>>>
>>>> 3. Are there any good "official" links on this?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance,
>>>> Mark
>>>> mark_at_arguslab_dot_com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Hello,

Chris is correct.

The Aero Glass effect is a facility provided by the DWM (Desktop Window
Manager). See
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...m_blur_ovw.asp
for a guide to the DWM APIs. A minor correction though -- you need to include
dwmapi.h and link to dwmapi.lib in order to be able to use these APIs.

The DWM APIs are not a GUI framework. They can be thought of as an addition
to the existing Win32 GUI framework.

The new GUI framework that we ship is called WPF (Windows Presentation
Framework). It is part of WinFX -- our new application development platform.
If you want to revamp your WinForms / MFC / Qt applications, then please
check out WinFX. Here are a few links to get you started:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/winfx/
--> this is the official WinFX portal

http://www.devx.com/dotnet/Article/31040/0
--> DevX article on migration of .NET apps to WinFX

http://www.devx.com/codemag/Article/30442/0


Hope that helps:
Ivo



"planaria" wrote:

>
> We're considering revamping the GUI to a Windows app that was written
> with Win32 (not MFC).
>
> We're considering: Windows Forms, MFC, Qt (from Trolltech), and now Aero.
>
> Have I got this correct? Is Aero a new GUI framework for Vista or
> simply the new laf. Will legacy MFC apps be able to take advantage of
> the new laf?
>
> Questions:
> 1. Is Aero a new GUI framework or not?
>
> 2. If yes, will it be backward compatible on older versions of Windows
> (i.e. will there be some runtime set of dlls that can be distributed to
> run on XP, etc.)
>
> 3. Are there any good "official" links on this?
>
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Mark
> mark_at_arguslab_dot_com
>
>
>