Hey Solarius, thanks for responding. We're a bit far from me worrying about how many people will use this software. This project will be a good learning adventure for me, especially since I have always be interested in tile maps and more importantly have loved X-Com from the day my buddy let me get a copy of his back in 94.
I was dismayed ever so slightly that all the content creators here are having to use a partially broken tool.
The one big difference, would be that the entire program will be in one window, with all the extra maps(tileset, routes) available in the smaller viewport on the left with a click of a button or hotkey. Mapedit uses WinForm, this project will use WindowsPresentationFoundation which as it sounds is better at dealing with graphics. There are pros and cons.
So as I said I am looking for feedback on the entirety of the GUI.
WPF is a next-generation presentation system for building Windows client applications with visually stunning user experiences. With WPF, you can create a wide range of standalone and browser-hosted applications. Although releases for WPF were stagnant for a while, Microsoft recently announced the future roadmap for WPF.
PROS
Powerful styling and skinning structure
Easy to create an own look and feel
It’s very flexible so you can re design your own controls without buying new controls
It's newer and thereby more in tune with current standards of technology
Does support Windows Forms
XAML makes it easy to create and edit your GUI, and allows the work to be split between a designer (XAML) and a programmer
Highly advanced data binding possible.
Uses hardware acceleration for drawing the GUI, for better performance
The ability to reuse existing code
Declarative vs. procedural code
CONS
Requires .NET Framework 3.0
Compared to Windows Forms, still in evolving phases.
Requires Dx9 compatible video card for advanced graphics
WinForms applications have always been used to develop desktop applications where you want the entire processing burden to be rested on the client machine. This includes everything from drawing of graphics applications to data-entry systems to point-of-sale systems and games.
PROS
Extensive documentation can be found on the Internet
Plenty of examples and tested thoroughly for years
Supports WPF
There are lot of 3rd party controls in the market to make the job easier
The designer in Visual Studio is still, as of writing, better for WinForms than for WPF, where you will have to do more of the work yourself with WPF
CONS
Designing your own look and feel in an application is a lot of work
Extra cost incurred to buy third party controls