The VisualStyler add-in extends the Visual Studio design-time IDE to support skinned Forms, UserControls and Controls. The add-in presents itself has a standard Visual Studio toolbar alongside the existing IDE toolbars. The add-in automatically skins your project user interface whenever you create or open a project that has an instance of the VisualStyler component sited on a Form.


The VisualStyler add-in is designed to work with C#, VB.Net and C++.Net Windows Forms project types. The add-in toolbar is very intuitive and functions almost in the same way as the Visual Studio control layout toolbar, that is it is visible whenever the currently active document is a Form or UserControl. If the Form with the VisualStyler component is currently open then the add-in automatically synchronizes the skin with the VisualStyler settings.


Visual Studio 2005 and 2008 Add-in Toolbar Layout

The add-in supports the following toolbar commands :-

  • Browse Styles
    Browse and select a new visual style using the style browser dialog.

  • Import Styles
    Import a new visual style using the style import dialog.

  • Select Style
    Selects one of the default styles, the drop down list provides quick access to the following built-in styles :-

    • XP (Blue)
    • XP (Olive)
    • XP (Silver)
    • XP (Royale)
    • Vista (Basic)
    • Vista (Aero)
    • Vista (Black)
    • Vista (Silver)
    • Vista (Green)
    • Vista (Teal)
    • Aero (Blue)
    • Aero (Black)
    • Aero (Silver)
    • Office (Blue)
    • Office (Black)
    • Office (Silver)
    • OSX (Aqua)
    • OSX (Panther)
    • OSX (Tiger)
    • OSX (Leopard)
    • OSX (iTunes)
    • OSX (Brushed)
    • Custom Style...

  • Toggle Preview
    Toggle the design-time skin preview, The skin can be shown / removed at any time this applies to all forms and controls.


    Visual Studio 2010 Add-in Toolbar Layout

    The add-in supports the following toolbar commands :-

  • Browse Styles
    Browse and select a new visual style using the style browser dialog.

  • Import Styles
    Import a new visual style using the style import dialog.

  • Toggle Preview
    Toggle the design-time skin preview, The skin can be shown / removed at any time this applies to all forms and controls.