Custom forms development hasn't changed much since the Outlook 97 days, and
remains a weak design environment where nothing but the MS Forms 2.0
controls are really guaranteed to work correctly. Forms code is still only
VBScript, the custom forms don't display in the preview pane, the forms
cache is still prone to corruption, and custom forms are to be polite "not a
robust solution" to quote an Outlook PM. Custom forms lose the Windows
theming and any new properties added since Outlook 97, such as contact
pictures. MS plans to spend no money in the future on custom forms.

Form regions work nicely in Outlook 2007, but only there.

Look at www.outlookcode.com for the best compendium of forms development
information.

Personally, unless the client absolutely insists, I try to avoid custom
forms like the plague. In that case I might or might not even take the job.

--
Ken Slovak
[MVP - Outlook]
http://www.slovaktech.com
Author: Professional Programming Outlook 2007
Reminder Manager, Extended Reminders, Attachment Options
http://www.slovaktech.com/products.htm


"Tom at GSD" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I have spent the last 5-6 months developing a MAPI transport provider and
store and I have now arrived at the add-in part of this project. I want to
develop custom forms for my message class. I have been down the custom
form
path before and this time before I start I thought I would solicit the
newsgroup for suggestions. We are developing the add-in in ATL/C++ and my
customer has a strict requirement and that is NO .NET whatsoever. Their
first
target is Outlook 2003 and later this year Outlook 2007.

My forms require changing the background colors, adding images and really
redesigning the look and feel of the custom forms. I am asking if there is
any software out there that will aid in the design aspect or any real good
articles that will help me in the creation part of these forms. I have
done
little custom form things in the past and I always say to myself that
there
has got to be a better way. So I would appreciate any suggestions or
advice.

Thanks,
Tom –