Alpha Blended windows with controls

[Guest]

I am trying to get some information from somebody about using
UpdateLayeredWindow API.

I need to be able to create a window that is Alpha blended to the desktop
and have text, buttons, scrollbars, etc.

Is there any way to do this? If so can somebody point me in the right
direction / examples.

I can get a window with my PNG to render using UpdateLayeredWindow API but
nothing else...

I am currently using .net 1.1 / 2.0 in C#.

Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Sorry, I don't see the attachment using the managed newsgroups...

Maybe I can explain a bit better... The UpdateLayeredWindow api does what I
want from a window perspective, that is taking a PNG with Per-Pixel Alpha and
allowing the background items to flow through from a visibility stand point.
Also, it takes care of making this a top level windows which does not repsond
to the minimize all / show desktop items which is also what I intended.

The down side is that I want opaque objects drawn on top of it. I have
found that if I use the Graphics.DrawText methods I can get the Opaque text
to display however I also need to use image buttons (semi-tranparent button)
that can respond to a mouse click, provide hover support (on hover make Just
the button opaque), etc. Provide the ability to have scrolling text and so
on.

What I am trying to build is an informational component that will sit on the
desktop, be per-pixel blended with the desktop, and provide Opaque
information on it for reading, using, etc. Kind of like a Widget from
Konfabulator or Kapsules applications. So I need to have some level of
interaction, click thru's do not occur as it is not a Transparent window. I
already have the code to make the whole thing move around the desktop.

Just looking for some help / direction on getting the rest of the
interactive items going. I have also heard that this will be possible in
Vista but I cannot wait that long.

If you need to send attachment please send to :
joshua.cauble@_remove_wachovia.com

remove the _remove_ of course...

Thanks.

 

[Frank Hileman]

You may be interested in this article:
http://www.vgdotnet.com/articles/translucent_calculator.shtml

In order to accomplish what you wish, you really need non-control vector
graphics components.

Regards,
Frank Hileman

check out VG.net: http://www.vgdotnet.com
Animated vector graphics system
Integrated Visual Studio .NET graphics editor

 

[Guest]

While your control suite can create really nice forms and graphics can it
make the entire form work something like the picture at the following url:

http://www.caublestoneink.com/sample.jpg

This is kind of what I am looking for, of course made this happen in
Photoshop...

What I want is a bit more robust with scorlling text (kind of like a directx
game info window that scrolls), buttons, etc. Notice that the image is alpha
blended to the desktop but the text is fully opaque and the button is less
translucent than the form.

Also, any chance of you providing a cheaper version of your library for us
hobby coders?

 

[Frank Hileman]

That is what the TranslucentForm class is for. As far as other licenses I
will ask someone about that.

I will send you an email so you can get an eval.

- Frank

 

[Guest]

That would be awesome. As a quick question since the Drawing dll is freely
distributable could I write code against it without the designer support or
would that just not work.

Thanks.