Selection Indicator Customization

This feature enables developers to customize the visual style and layout of the selection indicator (checkmark) that appears when a chip is selected, ensuring clear feedback that aligns with the app.

Overview

The Selection Indicator Customization feature provides properties to tailor the appearance of the checkmark displayed on the chip when it is selected. Developers can adjust the checkmark's color, thickness, scale, padding, visibility, and container width to best suit their user interface. These properties help maintain design consistency while offering visual feedback for chip selection.

Property	Description	Default Value	Valid Range / Notes
ShowCheckmark	Determines whether the checkmark is displayed when the chip is selected.	true	Boolean value; set to false to hide the checkmark.
CheckmarkColor	Sets the color of the checkmark symbol.	(Same as AccentColor)	Any valid System.Drawing.Color value.
CheckmarkThickness	Specifies the line thickness of the checkmark symbol.	2f	Float value; typically between 1f and 5f.
CheckmarkScale	Adjusts the scale factor for the size of the checkmark relative to its container.	0.6f	Float value; acceptable range is from 0.2 to 1.0.
CheckmarkPadding	Provides padding around the checkmark, affecting its placement within the chip.	Padding(8, 8, 0, 8)	System.Windows.Forms.Padding value; adjust as needed for layout balance.
CheckmarkWidth	Defines the width of the container for the checkmark, influencing the overall checkmark size.	20	Integer value; minimum of 12 and maximum of 40 pixels.

Key Points

Aspect	Details
Visual Feedback	The checkmark clearly indicates when a chip is selected, providing immediate visual confirmation of selection.
Customizable Appearance	Developers can fine-tune the checkmark's color, size, thickness, and padding to align with the overall design.
Layout Flexibility	Adjusting the container width and padding allows the checkmark to be positioned optimally within the chip.

Best Practices

Practice	Recommendation
Consistent Color Usage	Use a CheckmarkColor that complements the AccentColor and overall theme for a harmonious look.
Appropriate Sizing	Adjust CheckmarkScale and CheckmarkWidth to ensure the checkmark is visible without overwhelming the chip's content.
Maintain Readability	Ensure that the CheckmarkThickness is balanced with the scale so that the checkmark remains clear at different resolutions.

Common Pitfalls

Pitfall	Explanation
Overly Large Checkmark	Setting a high CheckmarkScale or CheckmarkWidth may overshadow the chip's text and reduce overall readability.
Inadequate Padding	Insufficient CheckmarkPadding might cause the checkmark to appear cramped or misaligned, affecting the visual balance.
Color Mismatch	Choosing a CheckmarkColor that clashes with the chip's FillColor or AccentColor can lead to an inconsistent user interface.

Usage Scenarios

Scenario	Description
Selection Feedback	Chips used in selection scenarios (e.g., filters, tags) can display a checkmark when selected, providing clear visual feedback.
Themed UI Elements	Customize the checkmark to match the overall design language of the application, ensuring that selected chips stand out.
Dynamic Selection Indicators	Use the selection indicator in multi-select scenarios to quickly communicate selection status to the user.

Real Life Usage Scenarios

Scenario	Real Life Example
Email Label Selection	In an email client, selecting a label chip could display a checkmark to confirm the active filter.
Task Management Applications	When a user selects a tag or category, a checkmark can provide immediate feedback that the item is active or chosen.
Dashboard Filters	In reporting dashboards, checkmarks on chips can indicate which filter options are currently applied.

Troubleshooting Tips

Tip	Recommendation
Verify Visibility Settings	If the checkmark does not appear, ensure that ShowCheckmark is set to true and that the chip is in the selected state.
Adjust Scale and Padding	Experiment with CheckmarkScale and CheckmarkPadding values if the checkmark appears too large, too small, or misaligned.
Confirm Color Contrast	Ensure that the CheckmarkColor contrasts sufficiently with the chip’s background for clear visibility.

Code Examples

Basic Selection Indicator Integration

The following example demonstrates how to integrate and customize the selection indicator (checkmark) on a chip:

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

public class BasicSelectionIndicatorForm : Form
{
    private SiticoneChip chip;

    public BasicSelectionIndicatorForm()
    {
        this.Text = "Selection Indicator Demo";
        this.Size = new Size(400, 250);
        InitializeChip();
    }

    private void InitializeChip()
    {
        chip = new SiticoneChip
        {
            Text = "Selectable Chip",
            Location = new Point(50, 50),
            Size = new Size(250, 40),
            // Selection Indicator Customization settings
            ShowCheckmark = true,
            CheckmarkColor = Color.MediumSeaGreen,
            CheckmarkThickness = 2f,
            CheckmarkScale = 0.6f,
            CheckmarkPadding = new Padding(8, 8, 0, 8),
            CheckmarkWidth = 20,
            // Additional interaction settings
            EnableSelection = true,
            IsSelected = false,
            FillColor = Color.LightGray,
            SelectedFillColor = Color.LightGreen,
            BorderColor = Color.DarkGray,
            BorderWidth = 1
        };

        chip.SelectionChanged += (s, e) =>
        {
            // Toggle selection state and update UI accordingly
            var selectedChip = s as SiticoneChip;
            MessageBox.Show($"{selectedChip.Text} selected state: {selectedChip.IsSelected}");
        };

        this.Controls.Add(chip);
    }

    [STAThread]
    public static void Main()
    {
        Application.Run(new BasicSelectionIndicatorForm());
    }
}

Advanced Customization with Dynamic Indicator

This example shows how to change the checkmark appearance dynamically based on user actions:

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using SiticoneNetFrameworkUI;

public class DynamicSelectionIndicatorForm : Form
{
    private SiticoneChip chip;
    private Button toggleIndicatorButton;

    public DynamicSelectionIndicatorForm()
    {
        this.Text = "Dynamic Selection Indicator Demo";
        this.Size = new Size(500, 300);
        InitializeComponents();
    }

    private void InitializeComponents()
    {
        chip = new SiticoneChip
        {
            Text = "Dynamic Checkmark Chip",
            Location = new Point(50, 50),
            Size = new Size(300, 40),
            // Initial selection indicator settings
            ShowCheckmark = true,
            CheckmarkColor = Color.Blue,
            CheckmarkThickness = 2f,
            CheckmarkScale = 0.6f,
            CheckmarkPadding = new Padding(8, 8, 0, 8),
            CheckmarkWidth = 20,
            EnableSelection = true,
            IsSelected = false,
            FillColor = Color.WhiteSmoke,
            SelectedFillColor = Color.LightBlue,
            BorderColor = Color.Gray,
            BorderWidth = 1
        };

        toggleIndicatorButton = new Button
        {
            Text = "Toggle Checkmark Style",
            Location = new Point(50, 120),
            Size = new Size(200, 30)
        };

        toggleIndicatorButton.Click += (s, e) =>
        {
            // Toggle checkmark appearance based on current state
            if (chip.CheckmarkColor == Color.Blue)
            {
                chip.CheckmarkColor = Color.DarkRed;
                chip.CheckmarkThickness = 3f;
                chip.CheckmarkScale = 0.8f;
            }
            else
            {
                chip.CheckmarkColor = Color.Blue;
                chip.CheckmarkThickness = 2f;
                chip.CheckmarkScale = 0.6f;
            }
            chip.Invalidate(); // Redraw chip with updated settings
        };

        this.Controls.Add(chip);
        this.Controls.Add(toggleIndicatorButton);
    }

    [STAThread]
    public static void Main()
    {
        Application.Run(new DynamicSelectionIndicatorForm());
    }
}

Review

Aspect	Review Comments
Clear Visual Feedback	The checkmark provides a straightforward and customizable indication of chip selection, enhancing user interaction clarity.
Flexible Customization	Properties for color, thickness, scale, and padding allow for detailed control over the selection indicator's appearance.
Ease of Integration	The selection indicator properties are simple to configure, making it easy to align the checkmark with your application's design theme.

Summary

The Selection Indicator Customization feature in the SiticoneChip control offers developers the ability to fine-tune the checkmark that appears when a chip is selected. With options to adjust color, thickness, scale, padding, and container width, this feature ensures that selection feedback is both visually appealing and consistent with the overall design. Proper configuration of these properties enhances usability and improves the overall user experience.

Additional Useful Sections

Integration Checklist

Checklist Item	Status/Recommendation
Confirm Checkmark Visibility	Ensure ShowCheckmark is set to true and that IsSelected is toggled appropriately to display the checkmark.
Validate Sizing and Padding	Double-check that CheckmarkScale, CheckmarkThickness, and CheckmarkPadding provide a balanced and legible indicator.
Test Across Themes	Verify that the CheckmarkColor and related properties are consistent with the overall application theme.

Demo Tips

Tip	Description
Live Style Preview	Allow users to modify checkmark properties (color, scale, thickness) at runtime to see immediate visual feedback.
Use Clear Event Logging	Log SelectionChanged events to help verify that the checkmark correctly reflects selection state changes.
Compare Before/After States	Provide side-by-side demos that show the chip before and after selection to emphasize the effectiveness of the customization.

This comprehensive documentation should assist developers in effectively integrating and customizing the Selection Indicator Customization feature of the SiticoneChip control, ensuring that the selection feedback is both intuitive and visually consistent with their application's design.