Custom windows controls

I'd like to create a set of custom shapes that represent common window user
elements like the Windows XP Shape stencil. Our applications have a custom
look and feel.

I've messed around a bit trying to rework a few of the elements and I'm
struggling. I bought a book on Visio 2007 but haven't had a chance to
really dig into it yet.

Is this a big effort even for someone who is skilled at this? I'd like to
replace our current methodology for creating design documents which is Excel
or PaintShop with something more standard like Visio. This would allow more
people to quickly and conistently produce screen designs.

Are there consultants that do this type of work?

Thanks

Eric

Creating shapes is not really a difficult task, but make sure you have the
right book. Most of the current crop of books deals with how to use Visio,
not how to program or create shapes with Visio. "Developing Microsoft Visio
Solutions" is the normal starting point. It is available from Microsoft
Press and is also available online as part of MSDN
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa245244(office.10).aspx

The other good source for creating shapes are these newsgroups. If you are
unsure of a solution, post a question and we will point you in the right
direction. Getting familiar with the shapesheet and other Visio features may
seem a daunting task at first, but once you are familiar with designing
shapes, you quickly see other possibilities for expanding your shapes.

There are a number of us online who can help.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://visio.mvps.org/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://visio.mvps.org/VBA.htm
Visio Wishlist http://visio.mvps.org/wish_list.htm
"Eric Margheim" <nospam***ericm@charter.net> wrote in message
news:ugL84cnEIHA.4228@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> I'd like to create a set of custom shapes that represent common window
> user elements like the Windows XP Shape stencil. Our applications have a
> custom look and feel.
>
> I've messed around a bit trying to rework a few of the elements and I'm
> struggling. I bought a book on Visio 2007 but haven't had a chance to
> really dig into it yet.
>
> Is this a big effort even for someone who is skilled at this? I'd like
> to replace our current methodology for creating design documents which is
> Excel or PaintShop with something more standard like Visio. This would
> allow more people to quickly and conistently produce screen designs.
>
> Are there consultants that do this type of work?
>
> Thanks
>
> Eric
>