How to: Create Types by using Class Designer

To design new types for Visual C# .NET and Visual Basic .NET projects, create them on a class diagram. To see existing types, see How to: View Existing Types (Class Designer).

• Create a new type

• Apply a custom attribute to a type

• Apply a custom attribute to a type member

Create a new type

1. In the Toolbox, under Class Designer, drag one of these onto a class diagram:

   • Class or Abstract Class

   • Enum

   • Interface

   • Structure (VB) or Struct (C#)

   • Delegate

   • Module (VB only)

2. Name the type. Then select its access level.

3. Select the file where you want to add the initial code for the type:

   • To create a new file and add it to the current project, select Create new file and name the file.

   • To add code to an existing file, select Add to existing file.

     If your solution has a project that shares code across multiple apps, you can add a new type to a class diagram in the app project, but only if the corresponding class file is in the same app project or is in the shared project.

4. Now add other items to define the type:

   For	Add
   Classes, abstract classes, structures or structs	Methods, properties, fields, events, constructors (method), destructors (method), and constants that define the type
   Enums	Field values that make up the enumeration
   Interfaces	Methods, properties, and events that make up the interface
   Delegate	Parameters that define the delegate
   Module	Methods, properties, fields, events, constructors (method), and constants that define the module

   See Creating Members.

Apply a custom attribute to a type

1. Click the type's shape on a class diagram.

2. In the Properties window, next to the Custom Attributes property for the type, click the ellipsis (…) button.

3. Add one or more custom attributes with one per line. Don't enclose them in brackets.

   When you're done, the custom attributes are applied to the type.

Apply a custom attribute to a type member

1. Click the member's name in its type's shape on a class diagram, or its row in the Class Details window.

2. In the Properties window, find the member's Custom Attributes property.

3. Add one or more custom attributes with one per line. Don't enclose them in brackets.

   When you're done, the custom attributes are applied to the type.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Create Inheritance Between Types (Class Designer)

How to: Create Associations Between Types (Class Designer)

Other Resources

Creating and Configuring Type Members (Class Designer)

Working with Class Diagrams (Class Designer)

Designing Classes and Types (Class Designer)