Geek Answers Handbook

Inspiration to get rid of MDI

Microsoft seems to want us to stop using MDI, but if more people like me, they are fixated on how it used to be. Software like Word and Excel is easy to create without MDI, but it's hard for me to understand a good interface without MDI.

Is there a place where I and others like me can see examples of how to make a great WinForms interface without using MDI. It is not my intention to start a discussion about the pros and cons of MDI, I just want good examples as inspiration.

Edit: I decided to accept an answer that was not really related to the question, as it ultimately gave me good ideas on how to proceed. This may not be the general answer to the question, but it helped me. Further suggestions are always welcome ... :)

+4
source share
4 answers

I know that you specified WinForm, but Billy Hollis created an excellent interface in WPF that allows you to manage several documents and windows (including a dialog) without being an MDI in the form of an embedded form.

+1
source

It depends on what you want to show in your (ex-) MDI forms.

  • Tabbed Forms (IE, Firefox, etc.)
  • Tabbed with tools (Visual Studio)
  • Sidebar + Minimize Panels (Outlook)
  • TreeView Navigation (Explorer)

And you can make various combinations above.

Just a Tech Tip, if you have problems with the solution: put your content in UserControls, obtained from a common base class or interface. Use custom tabs and / or floating Windows to host these controls. This makes it easy to switch or even allow the user to select via drag and drop and the dock.

+1
source

If you're document-oriented, tabbed and panel-based design seems to be the main underlying paradigm.

If it's a business style with a form-oriented application, a tab or panel design might work, but it might not be the perfect solution. For those, I find more and more that web-style navigation paradigms work best.

For inspiration, check out the software on other operating systems, as well as the last round of all Microsoft software - everything from Media Player through Office 2010 Suite and VS2010. Also consider some of the following resources:

Ultimately, UI inspiration can strike from almost anywhere. Any piece of software - even unrelated - can have a user interface idea that can be tailored to your needs. Even non-software; remember that many user interface paradigms that we take for granted have arisen in the physical world. Keep your eyes and mind open all the time.

0
source

I just want good examples, like inspiration.

Check out other OSs. MDI (mostly) - for windows-kludge only.

-1
source

More articles:


All Articles