Podargus.ModernExpander.WinForms 1.0.0

ModernExpander.WinForms

A highly polished, high-performance, and deeply customizable Expander / Accordion panel control for Windows Forms applications.

Podargus.ModernExpander.WinForms completely replaces the legacy, rigid GroupBox and collapsible panel patterns with ultra-smooth 60 FPS animated height transitions, a mathematically rotating chevron header, dual-text header typography, hardware-friendly double buffering, and a robust theme engine built for modern desktop design ecosystems.

🚀 Key Features

• ✨ 60 FPS Animation Engine: Ultra-smooth ease-out height interpolation engineered for buttery expansion and collapse transitions with zero interface jank.
• 🎯 Rotating Vector Chevron: A mathematically rotated, anti-aliased chevron indicator that stays perfectly synchronized with the panel's transition arc.
• 💬 Dual-Text Headers: Render a bold primary title alongside a muted secondary description on a single interactive header band.
• 🛠️ First-Class Designer Support: Drop it directly into the Visual Studio Forms Designer canvas and drag child controls straight inside it via native ParentControlDesigner hosting.
• ⚡ Flicker-Free Composition: Win32 WS_EX_COMPOSITED / WS_CLIPCHILDREN orchestration double-buffers the entire child control tree to entirely eliminate UI tearing during animations.
• 🎭 Flexible Theme Engine: Ship instantly using six built-in visual profiles or unlock full custom token configurations.
• ⌨️ Keyboard Accessibility: Native Space / Enter toggle support with focusable state for accessible enterprise forms.
• 📦 Zero External Dependencies: Built natively using standard .NET, System.Drawing, and WinForms APIs without heavy UI wrappers.
• 🔄 Broad Target Compatibility: Native multi-targeting for classic .NET Framework up through modern .NET Windows environments.

🎨 Built-in Themes

📦 Installation

.NET CLI

dotnet add package Podargus.ModernExpander.WinForms

Package Manager Console

Install-Package Podargus.ModernExpander.WinForms

Visual Studio GUI

1. Right-click your project solution and select Manage NuGet Packages.
2. Search for Podargus.ModernExpander.WinForms under the Browse tab.
3. Select the latest stable version and click Install.

⚡ Quick Start

🏎️ Designer Workflow

1. Open your Windows Forms project workspace in Visual Studio.
2. Open your target Form or UserControl file within the Design View canvas.
3. Open your Toolbox (Ctrl + Alt + X) and locate ModernExpander.
4. Drag and drop the control directly onto the design interface canvas.
5. Drag buttons, text boxes, and grids directly inside the expander body. Children are automatically routed below the animated header.
6. Tailor expansion, animation, and visual style properties live through the native Properties Window.

💻 Programmatic Workflow

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using Podargus.UI.Controls.WinForms.ModernExpander;
using Podargus.UI.Controls.WinForms.ModernExpander.Enums;

namespace MyDashboardApp
{
    public partial class MainDashboard : Form
    {
        private ModernExpander _accountPanel;

        public MainDashboard()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            InitializeCustomControls();
        }

        private void InitializeCustomControls()
        {
            // Instantiate and configure visual parameters
            _accountPanel = new ModernExpander
            {
                Location = new Point(30, 45),
                Width = 420,
                ExpandedHeight = 220,
                PrimaryText = "Account Settings",
                SecondaryText = "Profile, email and preferences",
                IsExpanded = true,
                AnimationDuration = 250,
                Theme = ThemeMode.Dark,
                Style = ExpanderStyle.DashboardPremium
            };

            // Mount child controls below the animated header band
            _accountPanel.Controls.Add(new Label   { Text = "Username:", AutoSize = true, Location = new Point(30, 60) });
            _accountPanel.Controls.Add(new TextBox { Location = new Point(30, 85), Width = 300 });

            // Bind native state interactions
            _accountPanel.ExpandedChanged += AccountPanel_ExpandedChanged;

            // Mount directly into the form control tree hierarchy
            Controls.Add(_accountPanel);
        }

        private void AccountPanel_ExpandedChanged(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            Console.WriteLine($"Account region is now {(_accountPanel.IsExpanded ? "expanded" : "collapsed")}.");
        }
    }
}

🔧 API Reference

Expansion Configuration

Define control boundaries, header dimensions, and baseline default offsets directly:

_accountPanel.IsExpanded = true;      // Define the active expansion state value
_accountPanel.ExpandedHeight = 320;   // Define the absolute target expanded bounds value
_accountPanel.HeaderHeight = 45;      // Define the clickable header band baseline height

Theme Engine Control

Swap presets and visual style mappings seamlessly:

// Apply pre-configured visual style mappings
_accountPanel.Theme = ThemeMode.Light;
_accountPanel.Style = ExpanderStyle.Cyberpunk;

// Explicitly unlock structural theme properties for runtime overrides
_accountPanel.Style = ExpanderStyle.Custom;

Animation Timing Control

Tune the transition engine duration for responsive or cinematic presentation reveals:

_accountPanel.AnimationDuration = 0;    // Instant toggle transition without animation
_accountPanel.AnimationDuration = 250;  // Crisp, responsive toggle transition
_accountPanel.AnimationDuration = 800;  // Slow, cinematic presentation reveal

Accent & Custom Palette Configuration

Inject brand identity into the chevron glow and fully unlock custom token overrides:

_accountPanel.AccentColor = Color.FromArgb(0, 240, 255);  // Chevron & hover glow tint

_accountPanel.CustomBackColor          = Color.FromArgb(16, 20, 28);
_accountPanel.CustomHeaderHoverColor   = Color.FromArgb(24, 30, 42);
_accountPanel.CustomBorderColor        = Color.FromArgb(60, 70, 90);
_accountPanel.CustomPrimaryTextColor   = Color.White;
_accountPanel.CustomSecondaryTextColor = Color.FromArgb(150, 160, 175);

⚙️ Specifications

📄 License

This framework utility is distributed under the MIT License. See the accompanying LICENSE file in the package for commercial application rights and legal usage boundaries.

📝 Release Notes

v1.0.0

• Launch: Initial stable release of the ModernExpander component under the Podargus ecosystem.
• Animation: 60 FPS ease-out height transitions with a synchronized rotating chevron.
• Designer: ParentControlDesigner integration for native drag-and-drop child hosting.
• Theming: Dual theme modes × six design styles, including a fully unlocked Custom palette.
• Accessibility: Keyboard toggle support (Space / Enter) with focusable state.

Developed under the Podargus ecosystem. Building zero-dependency, ultra-performance developer workflows and premium component layouts.

📢 Ecosystem Notice: This package is part of the official Podargus WinForms component suite. Explore the full catalog at nuget.org/profiles/Podargus.