Question

Rendering a background image in C# using Win32 API - BitBlt

Asked by: dannyhop

Hi All,
I am trying to render an API image to a background (image) memory location then use that image as a source for a BitBlt API call.
In my former life as a VB6 programmer I could simply render the image to a PictureBox (located off screen) with AutoRedraw = True.
I realize that this wasn't 'technically' rendering to memory but it served the purpose of giving me an 'off screen' intermediate memory location that had a HDC handle so I could use the hidden image as a source for BitBit.

I now find myself in the .NET - C# (C sharp) world trying to accomplish this same feat.
I can render from the EM_Message to an intermediate picture box but if it is not located in a visable area of the screen, it will not render.  This method acts like the old VB6 PictureBox with AutoRedrw = False.

I made a stab it it below....

1st I create a memory bitmap called intImage...
            Bitmap intImage = new Bitmap(533, 165);
then get a handle to it...
            IntPtr memHDC = intImage.GetHbitmap();

I have a feeling that maybe I am not creating a 'Graphic' but I am unsure how to do that?

Or maybe I just missing something simple that would allow me to render an API painted image in the background.

FYI - Note: I am using EM_FORMATRANGE (below) to render the initial image and it works fine when rendered to a PictureBox.
    //Render the selected RTF text into the tempPicBox hdc (from FORMATRANGE structure)
            res = SendMessage(Handle, EM_FORMATRANGE, wparam, lparam);

Thank You in advance for your time and kind assistance.

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Asked On
2009-08-27 at 07:11:17ID24686664
Tags

API

,

.NET

,

C# Csharp

,

graphics

,

background graphic

Topics

Graphics & Game Programming

,

.NET

,

Microsoft Visual C#.Net

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
5

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Answers

 

by: Idle_MindPosted on 2009-08-27 at 08:28:07ID: 25199342

I think you need to get a Graphics first and then get an hDC from that:

        Bitmap intImage = new Bitmap(533, 165);
        Graphics G = Graphics.FromImage(intImage);
        IntPtr memHDC = G.GetHdc();

        // ... use "memHDC" ...

        G.ReleaseHdc(memHDC);
        G.Dispose();

 

by: ladarlingPosted on 2009-08-27 at 09:23:26ID: 25199996

Also be aware that the exposed graphics object will let you accomplish what BitBlt used to be used for. In fact, most GDI functions are much easier to work with from managed .NET objects.

 

by: Idle_MindPosted on 2009-08-27 at 09:32:15ID: 25200097

Yeah...see his last PAQ:
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Programming/Languages/C_Sharp/Q_24648194.html

He's trying to draw a RichTextBox to a Bitmap and it wasn't playing nicely as it's an exception to the rule.  =\

 

by: dannyhopPosted on 2009-08-27 at 10:26:34ID: 31621225

One line makes all the difference...
This .NET world is different but, for the most part... Way better....
Just needed to convert a few of these old API things.
Needed to use old API BitBlt as .NET graphics does not have quite fast enough refresh rate.
Thanks...  Works great!

 

by: ladarlingPosted on 2009-08-27 at 10:31:11ID: 25200709

I see, already been down that road have we? : -)

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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