Windows GUI or Custom GUI?

[5v3nd0ttg]

Said application is made for windows OS's. Attached is an example of a custom GUI I've come up with.

I keep running into a variety of issues with Windows compatibilities between Vista, 7, & XP. They seem to modify placement of buttons, window sizes and such depending on their various themes - Thanks Windows, great consistancy. I require a strict placement of items and classes. I don't mind creating my own classes as I have plenty of libraries I've made in the past.

Keep title bar, and make unique fixes for various Win platforms.
or
Modify a custom GUI to accept minimize, close, and other features and do away with the standard GUI.

[Ex]

Personally, I'd probably just make unique fixes for each version of windows, for several reasons: first, you've already coded this implementation, and it would be a lot more work to add a custom GUI at this point. Second, there might be unforeseen problems with the custom GUI that you're not currently facing with the windows GUI. Third, what you have totally works except for a fairly minor problem that only appears on some platforms. Personally in the case of C/C++, I wouldn't worry too much about windows Vista & XP, but I tend to like targeting a single platform these days and sticking to it. If you really want multiplatform consistency, Java is an excellent option.

[MrMorley]

Qt or wxWidgets?

[5v3nd0ttg]

Second, there might be unforeseen problems with the custom GUI that you're not currently facing with the windows GUI.

That's a good point. Thanks.

[corremn]

With roguelikes, never do a rewrite unless you cant progress. 

[Krice]

If you really want multiplatform consistency, Java is an excellent option.

Or you can use low level library like SDL and create a gui with that. Of course it could mean more work, but there is fun also in creating your own gui.

[Ex]

If you really want multiplatform consistency, Java is an excellent option.

Or you can use low level library like SDL and create a gui with that. Of course it could mean more work, but there is fun also in creating your own gui.

Absolutely true, creating a gui can be a surprising amount of fun

[Z]

Yes. I also generally recommend using SDL. The main reason for using SDL is that it is portable, which means it should not be a problem to move to a new OS. It displays a windows with (as far as I recall) the title and all the basic buttons (minimize, maximize, close), and all the content is yours to draw.

If you don't want your program to look like e.g. a standard Windows application, I don't see why would you use standard Windows (or Java, or Qt, etc) libraries for drawing GUIs.

[linux_junkie]

Have you looked into agar?  http://libagar.org/

It's a great GUI toolkit, and well worth checking out.  I'm using it myself with libtcod.

[5v3nd0ttg]

Have you looked into agar?  http://libagar.org/

It's a great GUI toolkit, and well worth checking out.  I'm using it myself with libtcod.

I haven't heard of Agar. Ability to implement Vector-based graphics seems amazing. Wouldn't have to package an unnecessary Macromedia flash or shockwave plugin with applications. Will definately need to compare and contrast the two for size and speed. Some great other features it has as well. Thanks for the link.

[elwin]

I would recommend not trying to come up with a fix for each different version.  Someone is sure to come along with a custom theme or a weird combination of settings that ruins all your carefully devised adjustments.

[mariodonick]

Even on the different versions of Windows it's possible to get a guaranteed positioning of widgets. There exist functions to get the current working area size, the current font size, dpi etc. Use the resulting values to adjust the position and size of your controls.

Or, indeed, don't use Windows forms at all, but switch to SDL or another library.