CoreSuite.CToolStripRender 1.0.1

CToolStripRender

A custom Windows Forms system renderer that removes the standard ToolStrip border and controls the checked-button highlight, included in CoreSuite.

Overview

CToolStripRender extends ToolStripSystemRenderer with two focused visual changes: the standard border around a ToolStrip is always suppressed, and the default background rectangle of checked ToolStripButton items can be shown or hidden.

Unchecked buttons and other ToolStrip items continue to use the normal system renderer behavior, allowing the component to make a small visual adjustment without replacing the complete Windows Forms rendering pipeline.

Key features

• Inherits the standard Windows Forms ToolStripSystemRenderer.
• Removes the standard ToolStrip border.
• Optionally preserves the default checked-button background.
• Can hide the checked rectangle for cleaner custom button designs.
• Preserves normal system rendering for unchecked buttons and other items.
• Can be assigned to ToolStrip, MenuStrip, StatusStrip, and compatible ToolStrip-derived controls.
• Requires only one property to configure its checked-state behavior.
• Has no dependency on other CoreSuite packages.

Requirements

• .NET 8 for Windows
• Windows Forms
• Windows

Installation

Install the package from NuGet:

dotnet add package CoreSuite.CToolStripRender

Quick start

Import the control namespace:

Imports CoreSuite.Controls

Assign the renderer to a ToolStrip:

ToolStrip1.Renderer = New CToolStripRender()

The standard ToolStrip border is removed automatically. Because ShowButtonCheckedRectangle defaults to False, checked ToolStrip buttons are displayed without the default checked-state background rectangle.

Showing the checked-button rectangle

Set ShowButtonCheckedRectangle to True when checked buttons should retain the normal system background:

ToolStrip1.Renderer = New CToolStripRender With {
    .ShowButtonCheckedRectangle = True
}

This is useful when the standard Windows checked-state indication should remain visible while only the ToolStrip border is removed.

Hiding the checked-button rectangle

Set ShowButtonCheckedRectangle to False to suppress the default background rectangle of checked ToolStripButton items:

ToolStrip1.Renderer = New CToolStripRender With {
    .ShowButtonCheckedRectangle = False
}

The checked state itself is not changed. Only the default checked-button background rendering is suppressed, allowing an image, text style, or another application-defined visual cue to represent the state.

Using checkable buttons

A ToolStrip button can manage its own checked state while using CToolStripRender:

ViewButton.CheckOnClick = True
ToolStrip1.Renderer = New CToolStripRender With {
    .ShowButtonCheckedRectangle = False
}

CheckOnClick and Checked remain standard ToolStripButton properties. The renderer only determines whether the normal checked background is painted.

Reusing a renderer

One configured renderer can be shared by multiple ToolStrip controls:

Dim renderer As New CToolStripRender With {
    .ShowButtonCheckedRectangle = True
}

MainToolStrip.Renderer = renderer
NavigationToolStrip.Renderer = renderer

Changing ShowButtonCheckedRectangle on the shared instance affects subsequent rendering performed by every ToolStrip that uses it.

Form configuration

The renderer is normally assigned after InitializeComponent, ensuring that the Designer-generated ToolStrip configuration already exists:

Public Class MainForm
    Public Sub New()
        InitializeComponent()
        MainToolStrip.Renderer = New CToolStripRender With {
            .ShowButtonCheckedRectangle = False
        }
    End Sub
End Class

The assignment can also be made in the form's Load event when renderer selection depends on runtime settings.

Rendering behavior

ToolStrip border

The standard ToolStrip border is always suppressed. This behavior is built into the renderer and does not require a separate property.

Checked ToolStrip buttons

Other items

Unchecked buttons and other ToolStrip items continue through the standard ToolStripSystemRenderer behavior.

API reference

Properties

Behavior notes

• The renderer removes the standard border from every ToolStrip to which it is assigned.
• Suppressing the checked rectangle does not change a button's Checked value.
• The property affects checked ToolStripButton background rendering.
• Unchecked items continue to use normal system rendering.
• Assigning another renderer replaces CToolStripRender for that ToolStrip.
• Rendering occurs as part of the normal Windows Forms painting lifecycle.

Accessibility considerations

• When the checked rectangle is hidden, provide another clear visual indication of the checked state.
• Do not rely exclusively on a subtle color difference to distinguish checked and unchecked buttons.
• Keep meaningful button text, accessible names, or ToolTips for image-only ToolStrip buttons.
• Verify sufficient contrast for any custom checked-state images or colors.

Integration notes

• Assign the renderer on the Windows Forms UI thread.
• Reuse one instance when several ToolStrip controls should follow the same configuration.
• Use separate instances when individual ToolStrip controls require different checked-state behavior.
• If a theme system replaces ToolStrip renderers at runtime, reapply CToolStripRender when the custom behavior must be preserved.

Package information

License

MIT License.