The MFC AppWizard generates incorrect toolbars and bitmaps (190518)


The information in this article applies to:

  • The Microsoft Foundation Classes (MFC), when used with:
    • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Enterprise Edition 6.0
    • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Professional Edition 6.0
    • Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Learning Edition 6.0
This article was previously published under Q190518

SYMPTOMS

The MFC AppWizard (exe) has the following problems when generating applications that do not support the Document/View architecture:
  • SDI applications that do not support the Document/View architecture have disassociations between their toolbar buttons and their images. These disassociations also exist when Context-sensitive help is supported.
  • MDI applications that do not support the Document/View architecture but have Context-sensitive Help do not have a Help toolbar image.

CAUSE

The MFC AppWizard uses the same toolbar bitmap for both SDI and MDI applications that do not support the Document/View architecture. This bitmap is also used when Context-sensitive help is selected in MFC AppWizard step 4. This bitmap does not contain the Help toolbar image.

In the case of SDI applications, there is no File New toolbar button generated. This causes a disassociation between the toolbar buttons and their images. For example, the Help About toolbar button has the Print image on it. When Context-sensitive help is selected, the Help toolbar button has the Help About image on it.

RESOLUTION

SDI Applications That Do Not Support the Document/View Architecture

Add a File New toolbar button by modifying the applications resource File: On the File menu, click Open, and open the applications resource file. Select <yourapp>.rc file and specify OpenAs Text. Add the following to the Toolbar section: 
      .
      .

      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 
      // Toolbar

      IDR_MAINFRAME TOOLBAR DISCARDABLE  16, 15
      BEGIN
          BUTTON   ID_FILE_NEW     //<-Add the File New toolbar button.
          SEPARATOR                //<-Add a toolbar separator.
          BUTTON      ID_EDIT_CUT
          BUTTON      ID_EDIT_COPY
          BUTTON      ID_EDIT_PASTE
          SEPARATOR
          BUTTON      ID_FILE_PRINT
          SEPARATOR
          BUTTON      ID_APP_ABOUT
      END
      .
      .

SDI Applications Without Document/View Architecture but Support Help

Make the above modifications as well as modifying the applications toolbar bitmap. You'll need to export a bitmap from the MFC AppWizard resource DLL, which has a Help toolbar image:
  1. On the File menu, click Open, and open the MFC AppWizard resource DLL. Navigate to the ..\MSDev98\bin\ide directory. Select Mfcapwz.dll and specify OpenAs Resources. Click Ok.
  2. Expand the Template directory, right-click Tbah_.bmp, and click Export. Specify a name and directory for the bitmap, and click Export.
  3. On the File menu, click Open from the main menu and navigate to the directory where you saved the bitmap. Double-click the bitmap to open it in the resource editor.
  4. In the Graphics window, select the Rectangle Selection tool if it is not already selected. Using the mouse, select the Help image by dragging the mouse over it. On the Edit menu, click Copy. NOTE: Toolbar button images are 16x15 pixels in size. The area you select should be 16x15 and can be verified in the status bar.
  5. In ResourceView, expand the Toolbar folder. Double-click IDR_MAINFRAME to open the Toolbar editor. Select the empty button to the left of the Help About button. On the Edit menu, click Paste. Click the Help About toolbar button. The Help image should now be on the Help toolbar button.
  6. Save IDR_MAINFRAME and rebuild the application.

MDI Applications Without Document/View Architecture but Support Help

Make the above modifications to include the Help image in your applications toolbar bitmap.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

This bug was corrected in Visual Studio 6.0 Service Pack 3. For more information about Visual Studio service packs, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

194022 Visual Studio 6.0 service packs, what, where, why

194295 How to tell that a Visual Studio service pack is installed

MORE INFORMATION

SDI applications that do not support the Document/View architecture do not have File New menu support, because a Frame and View are always created for you when the application is run. You can edit the code to include a File New menu and handler if you like.

Steps to reproduce the behavior

  1. Create a project using the MFC AppWizard (exe). In step 1, select Single Document and clear Document/View architecture support. Accept the defaults in step 2 and 3. In step 4, select Context-sensitive help and click Finish.
  2. Build and run the application. Verify that the toolbar tooltips are incorrect.
  3. Create a project using the MFC AppWizard (exe). In step 1, select Multiple Document and clear Document/View architecture support. Accept the defaults in step 2 and 3. In step 4, select Context-sensitive help and click Finish.
  4. Build and run the application. Verify that the Help toolbar button has no image.

REFERENCES

See the following online documentation:

  • "Creating a Custom AppWizard:" Visual C++ Documentation, Using Visual C++, Visual C++ Programmer's Guide, Beginning Your Program, Creating a Custom AppWizard.
  • "Toolbar Editor:" Visual C++ Documentation, Using Visual C++, Visual C++ User's Guide, Resource Editors, Toolbar Editor.
For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

190977 BUG: Custom AppWizard generates incorrect toolbars and bitmaps

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/26/2005
Keywords:kbtshoot kbProgramming kbBug kbFAQ kbfix kbide kbVS600sp3fix kbwizard KB190518 kbAudDeveloper
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