Nasty flickering by OnPaint Graphics.Invalidate

[Mark Johnson]

Using: VS 2003 NET C# for Framework and Framework Compact
Trying : Moving a Card (Bitmap) as in Solitare (PC + WinCe) Version on
OnMouseMove
Problem : The affected drawing Area by Invalidate (or Invalidate(Rectangle))
flickers in a nasty way when repainting.

This does not happen in the Solitare (PC + WinCe) Versions a well as in a
Card game where I have the C++ Source.

The use of an empty OnPaintBackground brings no visable results.

The OnPaint calls a Method, which builds a new Bitmap with a local Graphics.
When finished OnPaint does one DrawImage Command (flicker).

OnPaint is painting to a Panel.

Is this a Framework problem ?

Can a flicker free Painting only be done with some sort of Win-API.
- Goal is for this Class to run with the same code on both Systems.

If yes, what would it look like inside a Framework program ?

This seems to the last major problem (as of yet) that I have in realising a
game programm
and it would be very nice if this problem could be solved.

Thank you for any help

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germany
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Chris Tacke, eMVP]

I'd have to see your code, but I've done quite a bit of flicker-free drawing
with the CF.

 

[100]

If it is for the full framework (not CF) you can set panel control style to
do double buffering which will remove the flickering. CF doesn't support
control styles, though.

B\rgds
100

 

[Mark Johnson]

public virtual void OnPaint(object sender,
System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs e)
{
p_Graphics = e.Graphics;
OnPanel(0); // This calls OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

p_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen],0,0);
}
public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()
{ // First create our Bitmap and the Graphic to Draw
bmp_Work[i_Work_Empty] = new
Bitmap(bmp_Work[i_Work_Back].Size.Width,bmp_Work[i_Work_Back].Size.Height);
Graphics gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Empty]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
if (bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen]!=null)
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen].Dispose();
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen] = new
Bitmap((i_Screen_Width_Diff+i_Screen_Width_Real),

(i_Screen_Height_Diff+i_Screen_Height_Real));
gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);

// a lot of code chosing which Bitmap at what position should be painted
into the Image with the local Graphics, then

// This Paints Work Bitmap at the desired Position
#if !COMPACT
gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Paint],rt_Work);
#else
// For Compact the Bitmap cannot be resised
Rectangle srcRect = new
Rectangle(0,0,rt_Work.Width,rt_Work.Height+10);

gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Paint],rt_Work,srcRect,GraphicsUnit.Pi
xel);
#endif
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
} // public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

I can send you the full code if you give a e-mail adress.

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germnay
(e-mail address removed)

 

[100]

Hi Mark,
I'm might be able to help you. You can send me the code at
(e-mail address removed).
remove nospam stuff from the address.

B\rgds
100

 

[Chris Tacke, eMVP]

Offhand I don't see anything glaring, though you are createing a graphics
object a lot, and I tend to create and use one and only one for all my work.
I have a pretty complex control (a dial-indicator gauge) that essentailly
uses triple-buffering by generating a static image for the areas that don't
change, then drawing it and the changing stuff to another image, which I
then blit to the screen. I've run several instances on a 640x480 display
without any flicker at all.

--
Chris Tacke, eMVP
Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member
www.OpenNETCF.org
---
Windows CE Product Manager
Applied Data Systems
www.applieddata.net

public virtual void OnPaint(object sender,
System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs e)
{
p_Graphics = e.Graphics;
OnPanel(0); // This calls OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

p_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen],0,0);
}
public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()
{ // First create our Bitmap and the Graphic to Draw
bmp_Work[i_Work_Empty] = new
Bitmap(bmp_Work[i_Work_Back].Size.Width,bmp_Work[i_Work_Back].Size.Height);
Graphics gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Empty]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
if (bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen]!=null)
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen].Dispose();
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen] = new
Bitmap((i_Screen_Width_Diff+i_Screen_Width_Real),

(i_Screen_Height_Diff+i_Screen_Height_Real));
gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);

// a lot of code chosing which Bitmap at what position should be painted
into the Image with the local Graphics, then

// This Paints Work Bitmap at the desired Position
#if !COMPACT
gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Paint],rt_Work);
#else
// For Compact the Bitmap cannot be resised
Rectangle srcRect = new
Rectangle(0,0,rt_Work.Width,rt_Work.Height+10);

gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Paint],rt_Work,srcRect,GraphicsUnit.Pi
xel);
#endif
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
} // public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

I can send you the full code if you give a e-mail adress.

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germnay
(e-mail address removed)

I'd have to see your code, but I've done quite a bit of flicker-free drawing
with the CF.

in

a realising

 

[Mark Johnson]

I tried the following:
a counter was added so that the Bitmap Methode is only call once:

public override void OnPanel(int i_Event)
{
i_Test++;
base.OnPanel(i_Event);
if (i_New_Game == 1)
Setup_Basic_Logic();
if (i_Test == 1)
OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap();
if (sbStatusBarMainFrame != null)
sbStatusBarMainFrame.Text = "TryGame_Cards.OnPanel("+i_Test+")";
}

This means the Bitmap is only being repainted without being build again.

It still flickers.

I then turned off the OnMouseMove/Up/Down Events and took out the counter.
(i.e. OnPaint runs when resizing)

no flicker !

Only the when the events are turned on where the Invalidate() is done does
it flicker (for the Card only a flicker on the Card being moved).

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germany
(e-mail address removed)

Offhand I don't see anything glaring, though you are createing a graphics
object a lot, and I tend to create and use one and only one for all my work.
I have a pretty complex control (a dial-indicator gauge) that essentailly
uses triple-buffering by generating a static image for the areas that don't
change, then drawing it and the changing stuff to another image, which I
then blit to the screen. I've run several instances on a 640x480 display
without any flicker at all.

--
Chris Tacke, eMVP
Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member
www.OpenNETCF.org
---
Windows CE Product Manager
Applied Data Systems
www.applieddata.net

public virtual void OnPaint(object sender,
System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs e)
{
p_Graphics = e.Graphics;
OnPanel(0); // This calls OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

p_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen],0,0);
}
public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()
{ // First create our Bitmap and the Graphic to Draw
bmp_Work[i_Work_Empty] = new

Bitmap(bmp_Work[i_Work_Back].Size.Width,bmp_Work[i_Work_Back].Size.Height);

Graphics gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Empty]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
if (bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen]!=null)
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen].Dispose();
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen] = new
Bitmap((i_Screen_Width_Diff+i_Screen_Width_Real),

(i_Screen_Height_Diff+i_Screen_Height_Real));
gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);

// a lot of code chosing which Bitmap at what position should be painted
into the Image with the local Graphics, then

// This Paints Work Bitmap at the desired Position
#if !COMPACT
gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Paint],rt_Work);
#else
// For Compact the Bitmap cannot be resised
Rectangle srcRect = new
Rectangle(0,0,rt_Work.Width,rt_Work.Height+10);

gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Paint],rt_Work,srcRect,GraphicsUnit.Pi

xel);
#endif
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
} // public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

I can send you the full code if you give a e-mail adress.

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germnay
(e-mail address removed)



in

 

[Alex Yakhnin [MVP]]

Mark,

Did you override OnPaintBackground with no code in it?

-Alex

-----Original Message-----
public virtual void OnPaint(object sender,
System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs e)
{
p_Graphics = e.Graphics;
OnPanel(0); // This calls OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

p_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen],0,0);
}
public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()
{ // First create our Bitmap and the Graphic to Draw
bmp_Work[i_Work_Empty] = new
Bitmap(bmp_Work[i_Work_Back].Size.Width,bmp_Work [i_Work_Back].Size.Height);
Graphics gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work [i_Work_Empty]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
if (bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen]!=null)
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen].Dispose();
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen] = new
Bitmap((i_Screen_Width_Diff+i_Screen_Width_Real),

(i_Screen_Height_Diff+i_Screen_Height_Real));
gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work [i_Work_Screen]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);

// a lot of code chosing which Bitmap at what position should be painted
into the Image with the local Graphics, then

// This Paints Work Bitmap at the desired Position
#if !COMPACT
gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work [i_Work_Paint],rt_Work);
#else
// For Compact the Bitmap cannot be resised
Rectangle srcRect = new
Rectangle(0,0,rt_Work.Width,rt_Work.Height+10);

gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work [i_Work_Paint],rt_Work,srcRect,GraphicsUnit.Pi
xel);
#endif
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
} // public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

I can send you the full code if you give a e-mail adress.

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germnay
(e-mail address removed)

I'd have to see your code, but I've done quite a bit of

flicker-free

drawing
with the CF.

Versions a well as in
a

with a local
Graphics.

I have in
realising

a

.

 

[Mark Johnson]

Since the Invalidate seems to cause the flicker, I tried to call DrawImage
on the saved Grafics from OnPaint.
This failed (crash).
I have howver taken an IntPtr from this Grafics and used it to withe the
Cards.dll Function which take
the IntPtr to draw directly to the Panel.

How then could I use this IntPrt (Hdc to Grafics) to draw a Bitmap to the
Panel as Cards.dll does ?
Maybe this, maybe, would not flicker.

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germany
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Mark Johnson]

Yes.

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germany
(e-mail address removed)

Mark,

Did you override OnPaintBackground with no code in it?

-Alex

-----Original Message-----
public virtual void OnPaint(object sender,
System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs e)
{
p_Graphics = e.Graphics;
OnPanel(0); // This calls OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

p_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen],0,0);
}
public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()
{ // First create our Bitmap and the Graphic to Draw
bmp_Work[i_Work_Empty] = new
Bitmap(bmp_Work[i_Work_Back].Size.Width,bmp_Work [i_Work_Back].Size.Height);
Graphics gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work [i_Work_Empty]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
if (bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen]!=null)
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen].Dispose();
bmp_Work[i_Work_Screen] = new
Bitmap((i_Screen_Width_Diff+i_Screen_Width_Real),

(i_Screen_Height_Diff+i_Screen_Height_Real));
gs_Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(bmp_Work [i_Work_Screen]);
gs_Graphics.Clear(cl_Work);

// a lot of code chosing which Bitmap at what position should be painted
into the Image with the local Graphics, then

// This Paints Work Bitmap at the desired Position
#if !COMPACT
gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work [i_Work_Paint],rt_Work);
#else
// For Compact the Bitmap cannot be resised
Rectangle srcRect = new
Rectangle(0,0,rt_Work.Width,rt_Work.Height+10);

gs_Graphics.DrawImage(bmp_Work [i_Work_Paint],rt_Work,srcRect,GraphicsUnit.Pi
xel);
#endif
gs_Graphics.Dispose();
} // public void OnCreateWorkScreenBitmap()

I can send you the full code if you give a e-mail adress.

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germnay
(e-mail address removed)

I'd have to see your code, but I've done quite a bit of

flicker-free

drawing
with the CF.

--
Chris Tacke, eMVP
Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member
www.OpenNETCF.org
---
Windows CE Product Manager
Applied Data Systems
www.applieddata.net


online.net...
Using: VS 2003 NET C# for Framework and Framework Compact
Trying : Moving a Card (Bitmap) as in Solitare (PC + WinCe) Version on
OnMouseMove
Problem : The affected drawing Area by Invalidate (or
Invalidate(Rectangle))
flickers in a nasty way when repainting.

This does not happen in the Solitare (PC + WinCe)

Versions a well as in
a

Card game where I have the C++ Source.

The use of an empty OnPaintBackground brings no visable results.

The OnPaint calls a Method, which builds a new Bitmap with a local
Graphics.
When finished OnPaint does one DrawImage Command (flicker).

OnPaint is painting to a Panel.

Is this a Framework problem ?

Can a flicker free Painting only be done with some sort of Win-API.
- Goal is for this Class to run with the same code on both Systems.

If yes, what would it look like inside a Framework program ?

This seems to the last major problem (as of yet) that

I have in
realising

a
game programm
and it would be very nice if this problem could be solved.

Thank you for any help

Mark Johnson, Berlin Germany
(e-mail address removed)

.

 

[BMermuys]

Hi,

2 things you could try:
- call update after calling invalidate (force synchronous repainting)

- draw direct in the mouse move event, you can get a valid graphics object
by calling
CreateGraphics, then draw, and don't forget to Dispose() it when done
drawing

HTH
greetings