com.esri.arcgis.framework
Class ToolControl

java.lang.Object
  com.esri.arcgis.framework.ToolControl

All Implemented Interfaces:

com.esri.arcgis.interop.RemoteObjRef, ICommand, IToolControl, Serializable

public class ToolControl
extends Object
implements com.esri.arcgis.interop.RemoteObjRef, ICommand, IToolControl

ToolControl CoType.

Description

A ToolControl is a dropdown list box control, editable textbox control, or other type of control that can be added to a toolbar.

To create a custom ToolControl, implement both the esriSystemUI.ICommand and esriSystemUI.IToolControl interfaces.

Only one instance of a particular toolcontrol is allowed to exist in the application at one time.

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Desktop.

Supported Platforms

Windows

See Also:

Serialized Form

Constructor Summary

ToolControl(Object obj)
Construct a ToolControl using a reference to such an object returned from ArcGIS Engine or Server.

Method Summary

boolean	equals(Object o) Compare this object with another
int	getBitmap() The bitmap that is used as the icon on this command.
String	getCaption() The caption of this command.
String	getCategory() The name of the category with which this command is associated.
int	getHelpContextID() The help context ID associated with this command.
String	getHelpFile() The name of the help file associated with this command.
int	getHWnd() The handle of the control.
String	getMessage() The statusbar message for this command.
String	getName() The name of this commmand.
String	getTooltip() The tooltip for this command.
int	hashCode() the hashcode for this object
boolean	isChecked() Indicates if this command is checked.
boolean	isEnabled() Indicates if this command is enabled.
void	onClick() Occurs when this command is clicked.
void	onCreate(Object hook) Occurs when this command is created.
boolean	onDrop(int barType) Indicates if the drag-drop operation is valid.
void	onFocus(ICompletionNotify complete) Occurs when the control gains focus.

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

clone, finalize, getClass, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait

Methods inherited from interface com.esri.arcgis.interop.RemoteObjRef

getJintegraDispatch, release

Constructor Detail

ToolControl

public ToolControl(Object obj)
            throws IOException

Construct a ToolControl using a reference to such an object returned from ArcGIS Engine or Server. This is semantically equivalent to casting obj to ToolControl.
Casting to this class from the return value of a method will not work, as this class represents an abstract class in ArcObjects.
*
ToolControl o = (ToolControl)obj; // will not work

ToolControl o = new ToolControl(obj); // Use this constructor instead
* @param obj an object returned from ArcGIS Engine or Server

Throws:

IOException - if there are interop problems ToolControl theToolControl = (ToolControl) obj;

Method Detail

equals

public boolean equals(Object o)

Compare this object with another

Overrides:

equals in class Object

hashCode

public int hashCode()

the hashcode for this object

Overrides:

hashCode in class Object

isEnabled

public boolean isEnabled()
                  throws IOException,
                         AutomationException

Indicates if this command is enabled.

Remarks

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, add some logic to the Enabled property to specify in what state the application should be in for the command to be enabled.


Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

isEnabled in interface ICommand

Returns:

The enabled

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

isChecked

public boolean isChecked()
                  throws IOException,
                         AutomationException

Indicates if this command is checked.

Remarks

The Checked property indicates the state of this Command. If a command item appears depressed on a commandbar, the command is checked. The active tool will appear checked. Also commands that serve as a toggle will be checked when that toggle is on.
A system event is periodically called to set the state of the commands on the commandbars indicating which ones are checked.

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

isChecked in interface ICommand

Returns:

The checked

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

getName

public String getName()
               throws IOException,
                      AutomationException

The name of this commmand.

Remarks

The Name property of a command is a programmatic identifying name string. By convention, a command's name should include its category name. The format of the Name string should be <Category>_<Caption>. For example, the name of the builtin ArcMap command About ArcMap is "Help_About". Since it is an identifier of the command, the Name property should not be localized.

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, use the Name property to set the internal name of this command.

Note, the Caption property of a command is the string that appears when the command is placed on a command bar.

Example:

 
public String getName () {
     return "MyCustomTool_MyTool";
}

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

getName in interface ICommand

Returns:

The name

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

getCaption

public String getCaption()
                  throws IOException,
                         AutomationException

The caption of this command.

Remarks

The Caption property of a command is the string that appears when the command is placed on a command bar.

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, use the Caption property to set the caption of the command.

Example:

public String getCaption() {
     return "MyTool";
}

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

getCaption in interface ICommand

Returns:

The caption

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

getTooltip

public String getTooltip()
                  throws IOException,
                         AutomationException

The tooltip for this command.

Remarks

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, use the ToolTip property to set the string that appears in the screen tip when the mouse hovers over the command.

Example:

public String getTooltip () {
    return "MyTool";
}

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

getTooltip in interface ICommand

Returns:

The tooltip

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

getMessage

public String getMessage()
                  throws IOException,
                         AutomationException

The statusbar message for this command.

Remarks

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, use the Message property to set the message string that appears in the statusbar of the application when the mouse passes over the command.

Example:

public String getMessage() {
     return "This is my custom tool";
}

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

getMessage in interface ICommand

Returns:

The message

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

getHelpFile

public String getHelpFile()
                   throws IOException,
                          AutomationException

The name of the help file associated with this command.

Description

The HelpFile property is used to specify the name of the help file that contains the context sensitive help topic for your custom command.

Remarks

If you set both the HelpFile and HelpContextID properties, then an end-user of your command can use the "What's This?" command in ArcMap or ArcCatalog to get help on your command. Note, if you want your What's This help to look and behave the same as the standard ArcGIS commands, then you should create a WinHelp file instead of a HTMLHelp file.

If you have a WinHelp file (*.hlp), set ICommand_HelpFile to the name of the help file containing the topic that describes the command and set ICommand_HelpContextID to the topic ID's mapped numeric value. The topic ID is the so-called # footnote in the RTF file you include in your WinHelp file. You can use Help Workshop to add this numeric value by opening the HPJ file, clicking Map and then clicking Add (to add the mapping for an individual topic). See the help topic "To enable a program to display an individual Help topic" in the Help Workshop's help file.

If you have an HTMLHelp file (*.chm) the procedure is similar; specifiy the .chm file as ICommand_HelpFile and the mapped numeric value as ICommand_HelpContextID. Popup topics are problematic with HTMLHelp, but the help topic will display in a default or user-defined window.

As part of your deployment strategy register the name of the WinHelp file (*.hlp) as a new string value in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Help

Or if you're working with a HTMLHelp file (*.chm) register its name as a new string value in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\HTMLHelp.

Note, if you want to create a custom command that launches your help system, you can call an entire help file and/or use the functionality of the appropriate Help APIs by declaring and using the Windows API WinHelp() function or HTMLHelp() function.

Once you have one of these help functions declared, the OnClick event of your command could call the help function.

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

getHelpFile in interface ICommand

Returns:

The helpFile

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

See Also:

ICommand.getHelpContextID()

getHelpContextID

public int getHelpContextID()
                     throws IOException,
                            AutomationException

The help context ID associated with this command.

Description

The HelpContextID property is used to specify the mapped numeric value of the topic ID of the context sensitive help topic for your custom command. Specify the name of your help file in the HelpFile property.

Remarks

If you set both the HelpFile and HelpContextID properties, then an end-user of your command can use the "What's This?" command in ArcMap or ArcCatalog to get help on your command. Note, if you want your What's This help to look and behave the same as the standard ArcGIS commands, then you should create a WinHelp file instead of a HTMLHelp file.

If you have a WinHelp file (*.hlp), set ICommand_HelpFile to the name of the help file containing the topic that describes the command and set ICommand_HelpContextID to the topic ID's mapped numeric value. The topic ID is the so-called # footnote in the RTF file you include in your WinHelp file. You can use Help Workshop to add this numeric value by opening the HPJ file, clicking Map and then clicking Add (to add the mapping for an individual topic). See the help topic "To enable a program to display an individual Help topic" in the Help Workshop's help file.

If you have an HTMLHelp file (*.chm) the procedure is similar; specifiy the
.chm file as ICommand_HelpFile and the mapped numeric value as
ICommand_HelpContextID. Popup topics are problematic with HTMLHelp, but the help topic will display in a default or user-defined window.

As part of your deployment strategy register the name of the WinHelp file (*.hlp) as a new string value in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Help

Or if you're working with a HTMLHelp file (*.chm) register its name as a new string value in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\HTMLHelp.

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

getHelpContextID in interface ICommand

Returns:

The helpID

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

See Also:

ICommand.getHelpFile()

getBitmap

public int getBitmap()
              throws IOException,
                     AutomationException

The bitmap that is used as the icon on this command.

Remarks

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, use the Bitmap property to set the bitmap to be used as the icon on this command. In your Visual Basic project for this command, the bitmap can be stored in a resource file or in a PictureBox control on a form.

You must use a Bitmap file (.bmp) for the Bitmap property; Icon files (.ico) are not supported. Bitmap files should be 16 X 16 pixels. The color of the upper left pixel of the bitmap is treated as the transparent color. For example, if the upper left pixel of the bitmap is red, then all of the red pixels in the bitmap will be converted to transparent.

When a command is put on a toolbar, the command is displayed with the bitmap only by default; the display type is set to Image Only (ICommandItem::Style = esriCommandStyleIconOnly). When a command is put on a menu, the command is displayed with the bitmap and caption by default; the display type is set to Image and Text (ICommandItem::Style = esriCommandStyleIconAndText). However, if the Bitmap property is not set for this command, then the command will be displayed with the caption only by default when it is put on a toolbar or menu; the display type is set to Text Only (ICommandItem::Style = esriCommandStyleTextOnly).

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, there is no need to implement this method. In the custom Java Command class, set the bitmapPath String to the physical location of the bitmap file to be used on the toolbar.

bitmapPath = "/images/mybitmap.bmp";

You must use a Bitmap file (.bmp); Icon files (.ico) are not supported. Bitmap files should be 16 X 16 pixels. The color of the upper left pixel of the bitmap is treated as the transparent color. For example, if the upper left pixel of the bitmap is red, then all of the red pixels in the bitmap will be converted to transparent.

When a command is put on a toolbar, the command is displayed with the bitmap only by default; the display type is set to Image Only (esriCommandStyles.esriCommandStyleIconOnly). When a command is put on a menu, the command is displayed with the bitmap and caption by default; the display type is set to Image and Text (esriCommandStyles.esriCommandStyleIconAndText). However, if the Bitmap property is not set for this command, then the command will be displayed with the caption only by default when it is put on a toolbar or menu; the display type is set to Text Only (esriCommandStyles.esriCommandStyleTextOnly).

Specified by:

getBitmap in interface ICommand

Returns:

The bitmap (A COM typedef)

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

getCategory

public String getCategory()
                   throws IOException,
                          AutomationException

The name of the category with which this command is associated.

Remarks

Category determines where the command will appear in the Commands panel of the Customize dialog.

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, use the Category property to set the category of this command.

Example:

public String getCategory() {
   return "MyCustomTool";
}

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

getCategory in interface ICommand

Returns:

The categoryName

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

onCreate

public void onCreate(Object hook)
              throws IOException,
                     AutomationException

Occurs when this command is created.

Description

hook is a reference to an IApplication object or any of the Controls.

Remarks

The OnCreate method gives the command a hook into the application.

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, use the OnCreate method to get a hook to the application.

When you implement ICommand to create a custom command, you will find that your class constructor and destructor are called more than once per session. Commands are constructed once initially to get information about them, like the name, bitmap, etc and then they are destroyed. When the final, complete construction takes place, the OnCreate method gets called. OnCreate gets called only once, so you can rely on it to perform initialization of member variables. You can check for initialized member variables in the class destructor to find out if OnCreate has been called previously.

Example:

Object buddyControl = null;
MapControl mapControl = null; 
 
//If your buddy control is of type mapcontrol
 
public void onCreate(Object hook) {
      try { 
      // The hook argument is an instance of control to which this tool is added. 
      // Normally toolbar control.          
      ToolbarControl toolbarControl = new ToolbarControl(hook); 
      //Get the buddy control to which the toolbarcontrol is associated to.         
      buddyControl = toolbarControl.getBuddy();
      mapControl = new MapControl(buddyControl);
       }
      catch (IOException ex) {
      }
}

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

onCreate in interface ICommand

Parameters:

hook - A reference to another Automation Object (IDispatch) (in)

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

See Also:

IApplication

onClick

public void onClick()
             throws IOException,
                    AutomationException

Occurs when this command is clicked.

Remarks

When implementing ICommand to create a custom command, write the code that performs the action when the command is clicked in the OnClick method.

Example:

public void onClick() {     
   //In this example, a message is displayed in console.     
   System.out.println("Clicked on my command");
}

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

onClick in interface ICommand

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

getHWnd

public int getHWnd()
            throws IOException,
                   AutomationException

The handle of the control.

Remarks

When implementing IToolControl to create a custom tool, use the hWnd property to pass window handle of the control to the application.

For example, if you want your ToolControl to be a simple ComboBox control, put a ComboBox control on a form and then pass the hWnd of the ComboBox control to the ToolControl. If you want you ToolControl to be more complex such as a ComboBox with a label, you can put the ComboBox and Label in a Frame control or PictureBox control, and then pass the hWnd of the Frame or PictureBox to the ToolControl.

Only one instance of a ToolControl can exist within an application framework at any give time. This
is because the hWnd property is passed a window handle to the control. To prevent a user from dragging two instances of a ToolControl into an application framework set the ICommand::Category property to an empty string. This will prevent the ToolControl from appearing in the customzie dialog.

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

getHWnd in interface IToolControl

Returns:

The hWnd (A COM typedef)

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

onFocus

public void onFocus(ICompletionNotify complete)
             throws IOException,
                    AutomationException

Occurs when the control gains focus.

Description

complete is a reference to a ICompletionNotify object. The ToolControl object uses this complete object to indicate when it's finished.

Remarks

When the ToolControl object gains focus, an ICompletionNotify object is passed to the ToolControl as the complete parameter in the OnFocus method. In your code in the OnFocus method, you would set a variable to the complete object.

The ToolControl needs to call the ICompletionNotify::SetComplete method when it's finished to let the application know that the control should lose focus.

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

onFocus in interface IToolControl

Parameters:

complete - A reference to a com.esri.arcgis.systemUI.ICompletionNotify (in)

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

See Also:

ICompletionNotify

onDrop

public boolean onDrop(int barType)
               throws IOException,
                      AutomationException

Indicates if the drag-drop operation is valid.

Description

barType specifies which type of commandbar on which this ToolControl can be dropped. Use one of the esriCmdBarType constants.

Remarks

In most cases, a ToolControl should only be used on a toolbar.

Product Availability

Available with ArcGIS Engine, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS Server.

Supported Platforms

Windows, Solaris, Linux

Specified by:

onDrop in interface IToolControl

Parameters:

barType - A com.esri.arcgis.systemUI.esriCmdBarType constant (in)

Returns:

The bValid

Throws:

IOException - If there are interop problems.

AutomationException - If the ArcObject component throws an exception.

See Also:

esriCmdBarType