Windows Forms Application C# Style

Question

I am developing a Windows Form Application in Visual Studio 2008 (C#) And I want to add Style to the items.

I have been investigating a few ideas about it but I have not found an example about how to do it. Is it really possible?

My app looks like:

But I really want to add more style in buttons, textboxs and other items I have:

My boss insists on using Visual Studio 2008.

Answer 1

IF you wana to use Winforms than you have to buy this one for example:

http://devcomponents.com/ You have to bind the new assemblies in your application that is not a lot of work!

But better way do that with WPF http://wpftutorial.net/DataGrid.html

Answer 2

To do this without purchasing anything else, you could create your own custom button and text box controls, either from scratch or as controls derived from the existing windows forms controls and then overriding OnPaint etc. Take a look at what's been done here:

http://dotnetrix.co.uk/button.htm

You could also investigate third party options.

Or, use WPF if that's a possibility as others have said. I'd push for WPF! If there's an existing WinForms Code base you can always host WPF Elements in WinForms. See:

Walkthrough: Hosting a Windows Presentation Foundation Control in Windows Forms