From the Blogosphere
Windows Presentation Foundation Skins
The skin is an XML style that can be applied to all controls within a specific Window class
Jan. 22, 2010 12:45 PM
PBDJ Blog Post
The new PowerBuilder 12.NET product utilizes the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) feature of the .NET framework version 3.5 that now allows the PB application developer to assign either Window or Application based "Skins".
The skin is an XML style that can be applied to all controls within a specific Window class or to all objects within a given application.

A PB 12.NET application can use any standard XML style file to apply a specific look and feel. There are already commercially available XML Styles and open source ones as well.

PB 12.NET itself will also ship with internally defined skins. Already, the beta version allows you experiment with internal and externally available XML styles. You can download the latest PB 12.NET software by joining the Beta program. Just follow the link at the top of my Blog. 

I have updated the PowerBuilder based Compaq Disc player that I wrote to run under PB 12 Classic and 12.NET. The CD Player now utilizes the XML skins via new menu control. This application is a WPF executable built from PB 12.NET that can not only play CD's but now allow the user to choose a favourite skin. You can download the source code for the CD Player (either 12 Classic or 12.NET) from my area located on the sourceforge web site (click here ).
There are also other PB 12.NET example applications and the STD Foundation Classes for PB 12 classic and PB12.NET that have now been optimized for the WPF realm. I hope you enjoy the examples and PB 12.NET like I do. Check them all out on SourceForge.
Regards ... Chris
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About Chris Pollach Chris Pollach is a Senior Consultant with over 25 years experience in Systems and Software Analysis, Development, Maintenance and Technical Support, mainly in the areas of GUI Design, MS-Windows Programming, Java / .NET Programming, Wireless, Application / Web Server Design & Programming, Object Oriented Development Tools and Methodologies, Data Base, Data Communications and Network application development. He has participated in numerous technical, planning and management roles, as well as consulted and educated in these fields for a diverse clientele. He is also the owner of “Software Tool & Die Inc.” a company dedicated to provide custom software and education solutions on Object Oriented business systems.
As an educator, Chris is certified to teach PowerBuilder (first in Canada), MS-SQLServer, Sybase’s Enterprise Application Studio and EAServer integrated application/web development environment. He is former Certified SilverStream developer (CSSD) and current Certified PowerBuilder Developer – Associate / Professional (CPD-P) as well as a Certified Sybase Tools Instructor (CSI).
Chris has written numerous articles in various popular personal computer magazines, newsletters and is the author of the PowerGuide and PowerExpert products. Currently, Chris has developed a Foundation Class library for PocketBuilder development on PDA devices using the PocketPC Operating System (similar to Microsoft’s .NET strategy). He has also developed a similar Framework for Sybase's PowerBulder and EAServer that integrates JSP or ASP web development that supports Section 508 and CLF web standards.
Chris recently became a 2nd Degree Black in the TaeKwonDo martial art and has developed a Martial Art multimedia study guide using the Component-One “Doc2Help” and Sybase PowerBuilder products. Since the fall of 2004 he became a TaeKwonDo instructor for the City of Ottawa’s Goulbourn program. He has also been certified with the World TaeKwonDo Federation (February 2005 - 1st Dan and October 2008 - 2nd Dan).
Chris was awarded the Sybase “Innovation and Achievement” award for 2005 as voted for by the International Sybase User Group (ISUG). This award was presented for innovations to the PocketBuilder mobile development product, contributions to the PowerBuilder News groups and support of the Ottawa Sybase User Group.
To round his management and leadership skills, Chris is the former president of the Kiwanis Club of Goulbourn and still volunteers his time with the service clubs in his area. He is also the coordinator of the Ottawa Sybase User group and a certified NAUI scuba instructor. For the last three years, Chris has been voted onto the ISUG Board of Directors and holds the position of "Director - North American User Groups".