Design Specifications and Guidelines - Visual Design

Open Appearance

Open appearance is most commonly used for an embedded object, but it can also apply in other situations where the user opens an object into its own window. To indicate that an object is open, display the object in its container's window overlaid with a set of hatched (45 degree) lines drawn every four pixels, as shown in Figure 14.43.

More Information

For more information about the use of open appearance for embedded objects, see Chapter 12, "Working with OLE Embedded and Linked Objects."

Figure 14.43 An object with an open appearance

If the opened object is selected, display the hatched lines using the system highlight color. When the opened object is not selected, display the lines using the system's setting for window text color.

Fundamentals of Designing User Interaction

Windows Interface Components

Design Specifications and Guidelines

Appendixes and References