UWP Development, RelativePanel

In UWP (Universal Windows Platform) app development, layout is a very important aspect.
In modern applications where environments vary across different screen sizes and devices,
proper layout management is essential. To assist with this, UWP provides several layout panels.
Among them, RelativePanel is a powerful tool that allows you to set the layout based on the relative position of components.

1. Overview of RelativePanel

RelativePanel is a panel that organizes layout by defining relationships among child elements.
It allows you to place elements based on their relative positions to one another, enabling the implementation of appropriate responsive layouts as screen sizes change.
Each child element can have reference points relative to other child elements, making it easy to manage complex layouts.

2. Key Properties of RelativePanel

  • AlignLeftWithPanel: Aligns the left edge of the element with the left edge of the panel.
  • AlignRightWithPanel: Aligns the right edge of the element with the right edge of the panel.
  • AlignTopWithPanel: Aligns the top edge of the element with the top edge of the panel.
  • AlignBottomWithPanel: Aligns the bottom edge of the element with the bottom edge of the panel.
  • AlignLeftWith: Aligns based on the left edge of a specific element.
  • AlignRightWith: Aligns based on the right edge of a specific element.
  • AlignTopWith: Aligns based on the top edge of a specific element.
  • AlignBottomWith: Aligns based on the bottom edge of a specific element.
  • SetLeftOf: Positions the element to the right of a specific element.
  • SetRightOf: Positions the element to the left of a specific element.
  • SetAbove: Positions the element below a specific element.
  • SetBelow: Positions the element above a specific element.

3. Example of Using RelativePanel

Now, let’s learn about the basic usage of RelativePanel.
In this example, we will create a simple UI that includes a button, a text box, and an image element. 

<RelativePanel>
    <TextBlock x:Name="myTextBlock" Text="Hello, RelativePanel!" FontSize="24" />
    <Button x:Name="myButton" Content="Click Me!" />
    <Image x:Name="myImage" Source="Assets/myImage.png" Width="100" Height="100" />
</RelativePanel>

Example Explanation

The code above is a RelativePanel containing three child elements.
The button and image can be personalized based on their relative position to the text block.
You can add the following code to adjust the position of the elements. 

<RelativePanel>
    <TextBlock x:Name="myTextBlock" Text="Hello, RelativePanel!" FontSize="24" 
        RelativePanel.AlignLeftWithPanel="True" 
        RelativePanel.AlignTopWithPanel="True" />
        
    <Button x:Name="myButton" Content="Click Me!" 
        RelativePanel.AlignLeftWith="myTextBlock" 
        RelativePanel.SetRightOf="myTextBlock" />
        
    <Image x:Name="myImage" Source="Assets/myImage.png" Width="100" Height="100" 
        RelativePanel.SetBelow="myButton" 
        RelativePanel.AlignLeftWithPanel="True" />
</RelativePanel>

In this code, the TextBlock is positioned at the top left of the panel,
and the Button is set to the right of the TextBlock.
Lastly, the Image is placed below the button.

4. Creating Responsive UI with RelativePanel

RelativePanel is useful for implementing responsive designs even on complex screens.
When developing apps that support various screen sizes, you can specify the relative position of each element to resolve layout issues.
For example, you can enhance the placement of elements as shown below to achieve a more refined design. 

<RelativePanel>
    <TextBlock x:Name="titleTextBlock" Text="Welcome to UWP!" FontSize="32" 
        RelativePanel.AlignTopWithPanel="True" 
        RelativePanel.AlignHorizontalCenterWithPanel="True" />
        
    <Button x:Name="startButton" Content="Get Started" 
        RelativePanel.SetBelow="titleTextBlock" 
        RelativePanel.AlignHorizontalCenterWithPanel="True" />

    <Image x:Name="logoImage" Source="Assets/logo.png" Width="200" Height="200" 
        RelativePanel.SetBelow="startButton" 
        RelativePanel.AlignHorizontalCenterWithPanel="True" />
</RelativePanel>

The code above positions the title, start button, and logo image in the horizontal center, providing a consistent UI experience across all screen sizes.

5. Tips and Precautions for Using RelativePanel

  • It is advisable to set maximum and minimum sizes for child elements to control their size.
  • Also, when using complex layouts, performance may be impacted, so it is best to avoid overly complex structures.
  • Nesting multiple RelativePanel instances allows for the creation of more diverse layouts.

6. Conclusion

RelativePanel is a highly effective layout tool in UWP, allowing for easy placement of various elements through their relative positions
and is very useful for implementing responsive design.
By utilizing various properties, you can maximize the functionality of each child element and
improve user experience.
Make good use of these tools to develop attractive and intuitive UIs.

7. Download Code Example

You can download the complete code example from the link below:
UWP RelativePanel Example

I hope this helps in your UWP development journey,
and if you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below!
Thank you.