How to achieve 'True' transparency with pictureBox??

[richiemac]

Hi all, I've got a form with a number of picture boxes. I now want to add a small picturebox on top of these main boxes and be able to see the main box through the small box. If I set the background colour to transparent it, as you probably know, will show the main forms background. Is there a way that I can set the parent of the small box to be the main box? If not how do I go about creating a picturebox that does have true transparency. I presume I can write my own pictureBox class but don't know how and what I would need to override. Does anyone have any idea because I'm dying here guys!! :)

[Christian Graus]

Forget the stupid picture box and draw your own image onto the screen. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++

[richiemac]

So how do I draw a transparent image?

[Christian Graus]

Use the DrawImage method that takes an ImageAttributes class instance. That class does many things, transparency is one of them. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++

[richiemac]

Ok, I've used drawimage and imageattributes to make my image transparent. Now how do I float this image over a picturebox control (it seems to be painted under the control). What I'm basically looking for is an image on the form that will change size and position dynamically. I need to be able to set things like cursors when I'm over a certain area of the image. So my idea was to float another image over the top and use this region to set cursors. The only way to use cursors I've found at the moment is by using forms controls (hence the pictureboxes). I've tried using rectangles and regions but I get the same problem as I'm now getting with images - they seem to be hidden under the picture. I've tried overriding picturebox but can't seem to get it working. In fact anything I try doesn't produce the goods.:(

[Christian Graus]

richiemac wrote: What I'm basically looking for is an image on the form that will change size and position dynamically. Sounds like you want to write your own control, from the total base class, that draws these images for you. A picture box will not work for this, that's why I said to draw yourself. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++

[richiemac]

Could you please point me towards a good tutorial on this subject as I'm totally new to this stuff. From what I gather I would have to write my own paint events - is that right??

[Christian Graus]

That's right. If you search this site for user control, you'll get heaps of hits. This[^] and this[^] look like good places to start. Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++