Embedding a flowchart design surface in a .net application

Question

I need to incorporate a flowchart design surface into an app we're developing to allow users to create what are essentially workflows/schedules. I need to be able to create my own 'shapes', set custom properties on them and possibly have a bit of logic in there too (if, while etc).

I know I need to take a look at hosting WF in the app, it looks like a good fit, but does anyone know of other designer compoments out there I could use.

Solution 1

Have a look at these resources, both are free solutions, but compared to the commercial ones (Mindfusion, GoDiagram) they require some more development work on your side:

• WPF Diagram Designer @ CodeProject (requires WPF)
• Netron library (without WPF)

Solution 2

You should try Visual Studio Extension. You are able to use the VS.NET IDE for free, create diagrams, export into xml/webservice/custom format etc.

For example, you can create a tool to describe concepts that are specific to how your organization models business processes. If you are building a state chart tool, you can describe what a state is, what properties a state has, what kinds of states exist, how transitions between states are defined, and so on. A state chart that describes the status of contracts in an insurance company is superficially similar to a state chart that describes user interaction among pages on a Web site. However, the underlying concepts between the two state charts will differ significantly. By creating your own domain-specific language and custom-generated designer, you can specify exactly what state chart concepts you need in your tool.

Start here. Examples here:

• Storyboard designer sample

• DSL Tools Lab

  
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Comments

[Brad]

Your second link seems to have become broken.