rilucero
asked on
'Disabling' bitmaps with the API
Hi all,
I am in the process of developing a custom command button control and I'm having a little trouble with the graphical aspects of it. My button is currently fully functional in that it raises events, draws edges, draws text and graphics and much more. Right now, I have a property that allows me to set the graphic for the enabled position and the disabled position, and that works fine as well. However, I would like to find a slicker solution to this so that the 'disabling' of the original bitmap graphic is done programatically.
I have tried using the DRAWSTATE API function with the DST_BITMAP and DSS_DISABLED flags set. This definitely changes the bitmap but the effect is less than desirable. The bitmaps I'm sending into the function have a grey background and a very highly contrasted 'foreground. What I'm looking for is a function that will keep the background the same colour and only apply the embossing to the foreground of the bitmap. My feeling is that I need to make the bitmap transparent, convert it to mono and THEN emboss it. Incidentally, the DST_ICON flag used with icons provides the exact effect I need but unfortunately, I need to use bitmaps.
Does anyone have any hints on how to generate a disabled effect on a bitmap that mimics a standard disabled windows icon? Thanks for any suggestions!
Rafael
I am in the process of developing a custom command button control and I'm having a little trouble with the graphical aspects of it. My button is currently fully functional in that it raises events, draws edges, draws text and graphics and much more. Right now, I have a property that allows me to set the graphic for the enabled position and the disabled position, and that works fine as well. However, I would like to find a slicker solution to this so that the 'disabling' of the original bitmap graphic is done programatically.
I have tried using the DRAWSTATE API function with the DST_BITMAP and DSS_DISABLED flags set. This definitely changes the bitmap but the effect is less than desirable. The bitmaps I'm sending into the function have a grey background and a very highly contrasted 'foreground. What I'm looking for is a function that will keep the background the same colour and only apply the embossing to the foreground of the bitmap. My feeling is that I need to make the bitmap transparent, convert it to mono and THEN emboss it. Incidentally, the DST_ICON flag used with icons provides the exact effect I need but unfortunately, I need to use bitmaps.
Does anyone have any hints on how to generate a disabled effect on a bitmap that mimics a standard disabled windows icon? Thanks for any suggestions!
Rafael
ASKER
Hi,
I'm actually not using a command button. All I have is a UserControl container and I'm rendering the bitmaps with the PaintPicture method. This is working like a charm but my problem is 'disabling' the rendered bitmap. Like I said, I already tried the DrawState API command but didn't like the results.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by using a 'raster effect' with PaintPicture. My code for painting the bitmap right now is something like this:
UserControl.PaintPicture New_Picture, 0, 0, , , , , , , vbSrcCopy
How can I use PaintPicture to give me a disabled effect?
Rafael
I'm actually not using a command button. All I have is a UserControl container and I'm rendering the bitmaps with the PaintPicture method. This is working like a charm but my problem is 'disabling' the rendered bitmap. Like I said, I already tried the DrawState API command but didn't like the results.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by using a 'raster effect' with PaintPicture. My code for painting the bitmap right now is something like this:
UserControl.PaintPicture New_Picture, 0, 0, , , , , , , vbSrcCopy
How can I use PaintPicture to give me a disabled effect?
Rafael
Here is the process:
Yake a copy of your BTIMAP:
picCopy.Width=PicSource.Wi
picCopy.Height=PicSource.H
picCopy.PaintPicture picSource,0,0
Process the bitmap with the desired affect:
Create a single dimension safe arry pointer to the picture with a three byte matrix.
See for an example:
http://www.visualbasicforum.com/t25347.html
The example at this site can be improved big-time I will show you how.
Instead of a bitmap with 2 dimensions I created a single dimensional array using a three byte element size:
Private Type PixelDef
Blue As Byte
Green As Byte
Red As Byte
End Type
So you can loop throught the image like this:
Sub ProccessImage(Action As Actions)
Dim cp As Long
Dim Av As Long
Dim bt As Byte
Dim GreyFactor As Single
GreyFactor = 0.333333
cp = 0
Select Case Action
Case Is = Actions.ConvertToGreyScale
' loop through image
Do While cp < aSize ' asize is the size of the pic in pixels
Av = (0& + Pixels(cp).Red + Pixels(cp).Green + Pixels(cp).Blue) * GreyFactor
bt = Av
Pixels(cp).Red = bt
Pixels(cp).Green = bt
Pixels(cp).Blue = bt
cp = cp + 1
Loop
Case Is = Actions.GreyOutButtonImage
Dim BackGround As PixelDef
BackGround.Red = x ' set your background mask
BackGround.Green = x ' set your background mask
BackGround.Blue = x ' set your background mask
' loop through image
Do While cp < aSize ' asize is the size of the pic in pixels
GrayThisPixel = True
Do
If Pixels(cp).Red <> BackGround.Red Then Exit Do
If Pixels(cp).Green <> BackGround.Green Then Exit Do
If Pixels(cp).Blue <> BackGround.Blue Then Exit Do
GrayThisPixel = False
Exit Do
Loop
If GreyThisPixcel Then
Av = (0& + Pixels(cp).Red + Pixels(cp).Green + Pixels(cp).Blue) * GreyFactor
bt = Av
Pixels(cp).Red = bt
Pixels(cp).Green = bt
Pixels(cp).Blue = bt
End If
cp = cp + 1
Loop
End Select
End Sub
Yake a copy of your BTIMAP:
picCopy.Width=PicSource.Wi
picCopy.Height=PicSource.H
picCopy.PaintPicture picSource,0,0
Process the bitmap with the desired affect:
Create a single dimension safe arry pointer to the picture with a three byte matrix.
See for an example:
http://www.visualbasicforum.com/t25347.html
The example at this site can be improved big-time I will show you how.
Instead of a bitmap with 2 dimensions I created a single dimensional array using a three byte element size:
Private Type PixelDef
Blue As Byte
Green As Byte
Red As Byte
End Type
So you can loop throught the image like this:
Sub ProccessImage(Action As Actions)
Dim cp As Long
Dim Av As Long
Dim bt As Byte
Dim GreyFactor As Single
GreyFactor = 0.333333
cp = 0
Select Case Action
Case Is = Actions.ConvertToGreyScale
' loop through image
Do While cp < aSize ' asize is the size of the pic in pixels
Av = (0& + Pixels(cp).Red + Pixels(cp).Green + Pixels(cp).Blue) * GreyFactor
bt = Av
Pixels(cp).Red = bt
Pixels(cp).Green = bt
Pixels(cp).Blue = bt
cp = cp + 1
Loop
Case Is = Actions.GreyOutButtonImage
Dim BackGround As PixelDef
BackGround.Red = x ' set your background mask
BackGround.Green = x ' set your background mask
BackGround.Blue = x ' set your background mask
' loop through image
Do While cp < aSize ' asize is the size of the pic in pixels
GrayThisPixel = True
Do
If Pixels(cp).Red <> BackGround.Red Then Exit Do
If Pixels(cp).Green <> BackGround.Green Then Exit Do
If Pixels(cp).Blue <> BackGround.Blue Then Exit Do
GrayThisPixel = False
Exit Do
Loop
If GreyThisPixcel Then
Av = (0& + Pixels(cp).Red + Pixels(cp).Green + Pixels(cp).Blue) * GreyFactor
bt = Av
Pixels(cp).Red = bt
Pixels(cp).Green = bt
Pixels(cp).Blue = bt
End If
cp = cp + 1
Loop
End Select
End Sub
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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In simple terms the above code will be run on the copy of you bitmap. It will then convert to greyscale only the part of the image which is not part of the background of the bitmap.
ASKER
Hi inthedark,
Thank you very much for the detailed response. However, I'm still having a little problem. It seems that no matter what bitmap I try to use with the LoadPicArray procedure, I get a bytes per pixel value of 4 which returns the colour resolution error message. Here is what I'm doing. I have a control called ToolButton which has a property called ToolPicture. In a form, I have the following code:
Set ArcToolButton1.ToolPicture
The bitmap in the resource file is a 16 colour bitmap that I created in Paintshop Pro.
In my user control, I have a variable defined as:
dim m_ToolPicture as StdPicture
And in my ToolPicture property, I have:
Set m_ToolPicture = New_Picture
Finally, in the Enabled method of my user control, I use the LoadPicArray like this:
dim bLoaded as boolean
bLoaded = LoadPicArray(m_ToolPicture
Like I said, every bitmap I have tried returns a pixel depth of 4. Any ideas why this may be and how to fix the problem? Thanks again!
Rafael
Thank you very much for the detailed response. However, I'm still having a little problem. It seems that no matter what bitmap I try to use with the LoadPicArray procedure, I get a bytes per pixel value of 4 which returns the colour resolution error message. Here is what I'm doing. I have a control called ToolButton which has a property called ToolPicture. In a form, I have the following code:
Set ArcToolButton1.ToolPicture
The bitmap in the resource file is a 16 colour bitmap that I created in Paintshop Pro.
In my user control, I have a variable defined as:
dim m_ToolPicture as StdPicture
And in my ToolPicture property, I have:
Set m_ToolPicture = New_Picture
Finally, in the Enabled method of my user control, I use the LoadPicArray like this:
dim bLoaded as boolean
bLoaded = LoadPicArray(m_ToolPicture
Like I said, every bitmap I have tried returns a pixel depth of 4. Any ideas why this may be and how to fix the problem? Thanks again!
Rafael
Hi rilucero,
It appears that you have forgotten this question. I will ask Community Support to close it unless you finalize it within 7 days. I will ask a Community Support Moderator to:
Accept inthedark's comment(s) as an answer.
rilucero, if you think your question was not answered at all or if you need help, just post a new comment here; Community Support will help you. DO NOT accept THIS comment as an answer.
EXPERTS: If you disagree with that recommendation, please post an explanatory comment.
==========
DanRollins -- EE database cleanup volunteer
It appears that you have forgotten this question. I will ask Community Support to close it unless you finalize it within 7 days. I will ask a Community Support Moderator to:
Accept inthedark's comment(s) as an answer.
rilucero, if you think your question was not answered at all or if you need help, just post a new comment here; Community Support will help you. DO NOT accept THIS comment as an answer.
EXPERTS: If you disagree with that recommendation, please post an explanatory comment.
==========
DanRollins -- EE database cleanup volunteer
You could use the PaintPicture with a raster operation which would produce a diabled affect.
Back later....