Loading numerous pictures

[Nathan]

Hi,

I have a project with various forms that each include a number of picture
boxes and panels with background images. When these forms first load, they
kind of load in "pieces", with the pictures coming to view consecutively,
even on a 1.6 Ghz processor with 512 MB RAM. The pictures are loaded in the
Form_Load event. Is there a way for them to all load perfectly before the
user sees the form?

Thanks,
Nathan

 

[Imran Koradia]

Nathan,

you could try using Me.SuspendLayout() before you start loading all your
child controls and pictures and then call Me.ResumeLayout() after you've
finished loading all of them.

hope this helps..
Imran.

 

[Nathan]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tried it but it didn't work. Here's my code:

\\
Private Sub frm_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As
System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
Me.SuspendLayout()

bmpQuit = New Bitmap(Application.StartupPath & "\Program Data\Quit.mpp")
bmpQuitOver = New Bitmap(Application.StartupPath & "\Program
Data\QuitOver.mpp")
bmpQuitDown = New Bitmap(Application.StartupPath & "\Program
Data\QuitDown.mpp")

bmpBackdrop = New Bitmap(Application.StartupPath & "\Program
Data\Backdrop.mpp")
pbxCover.Image = New Bitmap(Application.StartupPath & "\Program
Data\Backdrop.mpp")
pnlBackdrop.BackgroundImage = Bitmap.FromFile(Application.StartupPath &
"\Program Data\Backdrop.mpp")
btnQuit.Image = bmpQuit

pbxTimer.Image = ShortClock(MaxSeconds) 'ShortClock() IS AN
ARRAY OF BITMAPS, LOADED PRIOR TO

'SHOWING THE FORM

Select Case CurStudent("MF_Problems").ToString
Case "Addition"
pnlFlashCard.BackgroundImage = FlashCard(1) 'FlashCard() IS A
BITMAP ARRAY
Case "Subtraction"
'THE IMAGES ARE LOADED PRIOR TO SHOWING THE FORM
pnlFlashCard.BackgroundImage = FlashCard(2)
Case "Multiplication"
pnlFlashCard.BackgroundImage = FlashCard(3)
End Select

Me.ResumeLayout()
End Sub
\\

 

[Imran Koradia]

Nathan,

Unfortunately I'm not too good with GDI+. However, here is a technique I
found on MSDN that might help:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...systemwindowsformscontrolstylesclasstopic.asp
(look at the double buffering flag)

Here's an article that could help you using this technique and in general
how to improve graphic performance:
http://www.bobpowell.net/doublebuffer.htm

here's a discussion that might help as well:
http://tinyurl.com/469ne

hope this helps..
Imran.