Application Approach

[Chris Horlick <chris horlick srsol com>]

Gtk-Developers,

I am somewhat new to the GTK environment and have only started 
using/looking over the API a month ago. I am trying to write an 
application that amongst other things will allow the user to manipulate 
a series of icons in a workspace. For instance the application would 
start with nothing in the workspace, the user would then be able to add 
icons to the workspace. The user would be able to draw lines between the 
icons to make logical links between the icons. Also, the icons must be 
freely movable in the workspace. Later once finished moving these icons 
and making these links the user will then be able to compile the 
workspace and receive the finished results in a custom file format that 
i wrote.

That is the overview the question that i have is about the overall 
approach to this project. I am thinking of using a GtkImage to display a 
GdkPixbuf which actually holds the contents of the 
workspace(icons,lines,nodes...). The Gtkimage is being displayed inside 
of a GtkDrawingArea, which catches events from the user.

First i would like to know if this is the correct approach according to 
the official GTK way. I am curious how to add one of my icons to the 
back pixbuf. Also, what are my options to actually allow the user to 
move the icons. Currently i am looking at using my own set of functions 
that check to see if the user clicked one of the icons already in the 
workspace then take appropriate action.

Any thoughts or input from the community would be great!

Thanks in advanced,
-chorlick