.net - How to reference a dynamically created OvalShape with a string variable in vb.net -

i have created 40 or ovalshapes ms power packs , when user clicks them send id separate function supposed change color of clicked oval. unfortunately controls method seems not work.

controls.item(dummy).fillcolor = color.red gives me error saying "fillcolor not member of 'system.windows.forms.control'" dummy string containing name of control.

i'm new vb.net i'm not sure if there's way reference things on form via string besides using controls. google hasn't helped on matter much, found way search through shapes using ctype on controls match oval type isn't helpful when want change 1 control...

edit: looking able following:

for = 1 40      ovalname = "oval" &      if ovali = next 

i not sure how adding ovalshapes or type of container using. in order add them windows form control need use shapecontainer mentioned slaks. in example creating shapecontainer , adding form, using shapecontainers.shapes.add method add oval shapecollection class. attaching eventhandler click event of ovals can access calling shape change fill color through sender object of eventhandler. see if work you.

imports microsoft.visualbasic.powerpacks public class form1     dim offset integer = 0     dim ovalcontainer new shapecontainer      public sub new()          ' call required designer.         initializecomponent()         ovalcontainer.size = new size(me.width, 50)         me.controls.add(ovalcontainer)         ovalcontainer.location = new point(0, 0)     end sub      private sub button1_click(sender object, e eventargs) handles button1.click         dim oval new ovalshape()          oval.size = new size(30, 40)         oval.location = new point(offset, 0)         oval.fillstyle = fillstyle.solid         oval.fillcolor = color.transparent         oval.bordercolor = color.black         oval.borderwidth = 2         addhandler oval.click, addressof shapeclick         ovalcontainer.shapes.add(oval)          offset += 40     end sub      private sub shapeclick(sender object, e eventargs)          dim oval ovalshape = directcast(sender, ovalshape)         if oval.fillcolor.equals(color.red)             oval.fillcolor = color.blue         else             oval.fillcolor = color.red         end if      end sub  end class 

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edit per op's clarification

when create ovals add oval.name = "oval" & index add name property enable following code work.

you can iterate through shapes collection this(this based off of above example):

for each o ovalshape in ovalcontainer.shapes     if o.name = "oval1" o.fillcolor = color.azure next 

or can search exact oval looking using shapecontainer.shapes.indexofkey method

private sub button2_click(sender object, e eventargs) handles button2.click     dim index integer = ovalcontainer.shapes.indexofkey("oval1")     if index >= 0         directcast(ovalcontainer.shapes(index), ovalshape).fillcolor = color.purple     end if end sub