how can i build a graphical environment ?

[invader7]

Hello, can someone tell me what i have to search study and learn in order to develop graphical applications with c# ?

i don't want to develop programs with default windows forms i want to create my own forms, can i do this ?

[BigEd781]

You would have to write your own GUI API from scratch. The operating system provides the default behavior for graphical elements and you would still have to call into the OS. Honestly, this would be far from trivial and it doesn't sound to me like it's something you should be tackling at this point.

Of course, if you are really askijng how to give your WinForms (or maybe use WPF?) a custom look there are plenty of ways to do that.

[invader7]

wpf is closer to what i want but not exactly. i want forms like this for example... http://www.2icv.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/dj-2.jpg just an example...

[TheGreatCthulhu]

You can do that with both Windows Forms and WPF, if you know how.
WPF is far more flexible, but Windows forms are easier to learn. Either way, you don't get predefined controls like that, those are all custom drawn. using background images and possibly GDI or GDI+ or some other graphics API in combination. Those are really like skins used by some players, such is Winamp. What you would do is design the UI, and then come up with a plan how to arrange the controls in order to create a best match in both look an functionality.
But, note that anything beyond using a background image to make a control appear one way or the other requires some programming, and you can't just jump in there, you have to know what you are doing.

[BigEd781]

OMG, why in the world would you want something like ? That is an example of how *not* to build a usable interface

</rant>

[invader7]

hahahhahahah it was just the first example i found on google. i dont want to do this, by saying i want something like this i mean with no windows bar on the top with not classic minimize maximize and close buttons. this is what i mean like this

[TheGreatCthulhu]

OMG, why in the world would you want something like ? That is an example of how *not* to build a usable interface

</rant>

You are probably right.

But, you wouldn't believe it, I think all those self-taught musicians prefer such UIs (OK, maybe that image is not the best example), where everything is more or less in front of you, kinda like a control board.
Most of those dj/mixing programs are like that. I think the end users just don't want to spend time learning the app, they just want to hop in, play a tune, and experiment with the switches/sliders until they get the hang of it (met one such specimen).
But UIs like that serve very specific purpose, and are not suitable for general use.

On the other hand, the standard UI designs have the advantage of being readily intuitive, since the client probably used them before in other applications.

@OP: Search the web for some tutorials on how to make your UI appear differently. Again, WPF Controls can be transformed beyond recognition, as long as you know how they work.