Siticone BadgeNotification

The SiticoneBadgeSystemNotification is a non-visual component that attaches a lightweight notification badge (counter) to any existing WinForms control. It automatically handles positioning, resizing, and visibility, ensuring the badge always overlays the target control correctly, even when the parent form is resized.

Core Properties

Essential properties to connect the badge to a control and manage its data.

Property	Type	Description & Usage Example
`TargetControl`	Control	badge.TargetControl = btnInbox; The control (e.g., Button, PictureBox, Panel) to which the badge is attached.
`BadgeValue`	int	badge.BadgeValue = 5; The numeric value displayed inside the badge.
`AutoShowHideBadge`	bool	badge.AutoShowHideBadge = true; If true, the badge automatically becomes visible when `BadgeValue > 0` and hides when 0.
`Visible`	bool	badge.Visible = true; Manually overrides visibility. Setting this property automatically sets `AutoShowHideBadge` to false.

Appearance & Styling

Customize the colors, fonts, and borders of the notification badge.

Property	Type	Description
`BadgeBackColor`	Color	badge.BadgeBackColor = Color.Red; The background fill color of the badge.
`BadgeForeColor`	Color	badge.BadgeForeColor = Color.White; The text color of the number inside the badge.
`BadgeFont`	Font	badge.BadgeFont = new Font("Segoe UI", 9f); The font used to render the badge value.
`BadgeBorderColor`	Color	badge.BadgeBorderColor = Color.White; The color of the ring border around the badge.
`BadgeBorderSize`	int	badge.BadgeBorderSize = 2; Thickness of the border. Set to 0 to remove the border.
`EnableAnimations`	bool	badge.EnableAnimations = true; When true, the badge smoothly fades in and out when visibility changes.

Position & Layout

Fine-tune exactly where the badge appears relative to the target control.

Property	Type	Description
`Position`	ControlBadgePosition	badge.Position = ControlBadgePosition.TopRight; Preset positions: `TopRight`, `TopLeft`, `BottomRight`, `BottomLeft`, `Center`.
`BadgeTopMargin`	int	Moves the badge down from the top edge.
`BadgeRightMargin`	int	Moves the badge left from the right edge.
`BadgeLeftMargin`	int	Moves the badge right from the left edge.
`BadgeBottomMargin`	int	Moves the badge up from the bottom edge.

Public Methods

ShowBadgeImmediate()

// Forces the badge to appear instantly, bypassing animations.
// Useful for initial load states or when resetting UI.
siticoneBadge1.ShowBadgeImmediate();

HideBadgeImmediate()

// Forces the badge to hide instantly, bypassing animations.
siticoneBadge1.HideBadgeImmediate();

RefreshBadge()

// Recalculates the badge position and redraws it.
// Call this if the TargetControl is moved programmatically without resizing.
siticoneBadge1.RefreshBadge();

ResetMargins()

// Resets all Top, Bottom, Left, and Right margins to 0.
siticoneBadge1.ResetMargins();

Detailed Usage Examples

Example 1: Shopping Cart Counter

Increments the badge value on a button click. Uses the default AutoShowHideBadge to hide the badge when the cart is empty.

C# - Shopping Cart

private void InitializeCartBadge()
{
                // Setup Badge
    badgeCart.TargetControl = btnCart;
    badgeCart.BadgeValue = 0;
    badgeCart.BadgeBackColor = Color.Crimson;
    badgeCart.BadgeForeColor = Color.White;
    badgeCart.Position = ControlBadgePosition.TopRight;
    
                // Automatically hide when 0
    badgeCart.AutoShowHideBadge = true;
}

private void BtnAddToCart_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
                // Simply incrementing the value triggers the update
    badgeCart.BadgeValue++;
}

private void BtnClearCart_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
                // Setting to 0 automatically hides the badge due to AutoShowHideBadge
    badgeCart.BadgeValue = 0;
}

Example 2: Live Notifications (Simulated)

Simulates a background process updating a notification bell. Includes custom styling.

C# - Notifications

private void SetupNotificationBadge()
{
    badgeNotify.TargetControl = picBellIcon;
    
                // Styling: White border for separation from icon
    badgeNotify.BadgeBackColor = Color.OrangeRed;
    badgeNotify.BadgeBorderColor = Color.White;
    badgeNotify.BadgeBorderSize = 2;
    
                // Fine-tune position to overlap the icon corner slightly
    badgeNotify.Position = ControlBadgePosition.TopRight;
    badgeNotify.BadgeTopMargin = -5;
    badgeNotify.BadgeRightMargin = -5;
}

private void Timer_Tick(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
                // Simulate receiving data
                int serverCount = GetNewMessagesCount(); 
    
                // Update badge
    badgeNotify.BadgeValue = serverCount;
    
                // Optional: Change color based on urgency
                if (serverCount > 10)
        badgeNotify.BadgeBackColor = Color.Red;
                else
        badgeNotify.BadgeBackColor = Color.OrangeRed;
}

Example 3: Manual Visibility Control

Using the badge as a boolean status indicator (e.g., "Update Available") rather than a counter. We disable auto-hide and manage Visible manually.

C# - Status Indicator

private void CheckForUpdates()
{
    badgeUpdate.TargetControl = btnSettings;
    
                // Disable auto-logic because we want to show '1' or '!' manually
    badgeUpdate.AutoShowHideBadge = false;
    badgeUpdate.Visible = false; // Hidden by default
    
                // Style as a small dot or exclamation
    badgeUpdate.BadgeValue = 1; 
    badgeUpdate.BadgeBackColor = Color.LimeGreen;
    
                bool updateFound = Service.HasUpdates();
    
                if (updateFound)
    {
                // Manually show the badge
        badgeUpdate.Visible = true;
        
                // Force instant appearance
        badgeUpdate.ShowBadgeImmediate();
    }
}