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Transparent Splash Screen

DameonBlack

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13 Jan 2006CPOL

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Creating a transparent Splash Screen - like the one used by Adobe.

Introduction

Anyone interested in making a transparent splash screen? Like the one used by Adobe? This one was done by rendering PNG files that use Alpha. Inluded in the download, you will find a full example using Visual Basic .NET 2003. I'm using embedded resources for the image... I have installed and run this project correctly on Windows 98, XP, 2000.

Here are the two most important functions to use inside your splash screen form:

VB

Protected Overrides Sub OnPaint(ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs)
    ' Do nothing here!
End Sub

Protected Overrides Sub OnPaintBackground(
    ByVal pevent As System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs)
    Dim gfx As dra.Graphics = pevent.Graphics
    gfx.DrawImage(IMA.imaSplashScreen, New dra.Rectangle(0, 0, Me.Width, Me.Height))
End Sub

P.S. This is a very easy way to accomplish this, without using API calls and such messy stuff like that. You should be able to make splash screens and About boxes like the one I have used in my project.

License

This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

Written By

DameonBlack

Web Developer

United States

Just another programmer trying to figure it all out. Big Grin | :-D

Big Grin | :-D

MCP, MCSD & MCAD

Comments and Discussions

Re: How to deal with .NET framework load delay [modified]

anotherdotnetguy4-Jul-06 23:10

anotherdotnetguy

4-Jul-06 23:10

After searching with no luck, I created a Win32 splash screen component for .NET applications that shows a customised splash screen instantly, and then starts your .NET application (and hence the framework) on a background thread.

Works pretty well, and also allows you to pass messages between the splash screen and your .NET app, so you can use it while you initiliase DB connections etc.

Check it out at http://www.quicksplash.net

-- modified at 4:11 Monday 2nd October, 2006

Re: How to deal with .NET framework load delay

NVoli1-Oct-06 15:32

1-Oct-06 15:32

You *found* a splash screen component? How about you *created* a splash screen component and you're abusing the Code Project feedback system by plugging it on every article that relates to splash screens?

I haven't tried your component so I can't talk to its quality; I'm sure it's very good. But in the interests of full dislosure why don't you just say what you have and offer it without insulting peoples intelligence?

Re: How to deal with .NET framework load delay

anotherdotnetguy1-Oct-06 22:14

anotherdotnetguy

1-Oct-06 22:14

NVoli,

You're right; that was wrong and unethical of me.

I apologise; and have updated my original message to say that I created the component.

Re: How to deal with .NET framework load delay

me@vbman.com25-May-07 20:31

25-May-07 20:31

Hahahaaa!!!!

I was just about to post the URL to your splash screen but decided I would look here to find something better.
I do appreciate the links to two very good articles to MSDN on improving startup time.

My applications loads on startup and runs in the system tray, I don't have the startup issue, what I do have is the initial form is heaving and takes time to load, with that being said; what do you think about putting this on a different thread and then killing it when the form loads.

Thanx!
~Mann.

Re: How to deal with .NET framework load delay

anotherdotnetguy25-May-07 20:50

anotherdotnetguy

25-May-07 20:50

Sounds like a good idea - give it a try and let us know how it worked for you.

Some sample code would be great!

Water Script ?????? Good But!!!!

cadi200513-Apr-06 15:26

13-Apr-06 15:26

Hello ,,,
I liked this subject so much
but I don't know where I can get this program (WaterScript v2)
Can you lead me ?
Thank you

Re: Water Script ?????? Good But!!!!

DameonBlack13-Apr-06 18:23

13-Apr-06 18:23

Hi

Smile | :)

Water Script is an application I wrote for a company which sells water park equipment.

It's a sales tool, park control system, and inventory management program.

Sales - Uses it to display to customers what is possible in a 3D environment.

Inventory - The finished park layout is sent back to WaterOdyssey which is used to determine what parts need to be ordered for the customer.

Customers - Use it to setup how the park runs, what turns on when and how much. Also, it has multiple scenarios for running differently throughout the year.

Here are the web sites:

www.waterodyssey.com
www.fountainpeople.com

Thanks,
David Sisson

Problem when image behind background change

cyrare14-Mar-06 3:15

14-Mar-06 3:15

Hi,

Thanks for your tutorial, but there is a problem with VS2005 : When the window behind changing, the splash screen isn't updated.

Have you got a solution ?

Tks. Smile | :)

Smile | :)

Re: Problem when image behind background change

DameonBlack14-Mar-06 7:24

14-Mar-06 7:24

This tutorial is ment to be a splash screen only.

This means it is a temporary window and should not have windows behind it which change.

Thanks,
Dameon Black

vb doesn't find the png file

Quiche8826-Jan-06 4:29

26-Jan-06 4:29

hi, im tryin to use your method of creating a splash screen but whenever i click run i get the following message:

An unhandled exception of type 'System.ArgumentException' occurred in system.drawing.dll<br />
<br />
Additional information: 'null' is not a valid value for 'stream'.

and it highlights:

Public Shared imaSplashScreen As dra.Image = dra.Image.FromStream(APP.GetResource("Splash.png"))

please help me, i have checked everything i can think of and looked at all of your information but cant seem to solve the problem

Re: vb doesn't find the png file

DameonBlack26-Jan-06 4:35

26-Jan-06 4:35

It sounds to me like you are not setting the "Splash.png" file to be an Embedded Resource.

After you add the "Splash.png" file to your project you need to click on the image in the Solution Explorer and set the "Build Action" in the properties window to "Embedded Resource".

This should fix your problem.

Thanks,
Dameon Black Big Grin | :-D

Big Grin | :-D

Re: vb doesn't find the png file

Quiche8826-Jan-06 4:37

26-Jan-06 4:37

Thats the first thing i checked when i got the error. It is set to embedded resource. i'm stumped lol.

p.s. cheers for the quick reply

Re: vb doesn't find the png file

DameonBlack26-Jan-06 4:46

26-Jan-06 4:46

Ok, I'll give you a way to debug the problem.

Goto the "APP.vb" file

use something like this:

APP.m_Assembly.GetManifestResourceNames()

This will give you an array of all your internal resource names.

Make sure the resource you are trying to get is within those names.

Verify that the resource name is the same as one within that list.

Let me know what happens. Big Grin | :-D

Big Grin | :-D

Thanks,
Dameon Black

Re: vb doesn't find the png file

Quiche8826-Jan-06 4:56

26-Jan-06 4:56

sorry m8 im new to vb and dont understand how to get it to show me the array of internal resource names.

Re: vb doesn't find the png file

DameonBlack26-Jan-06 5:10

26-Jan-06 5:10

Ok, put this code somewhere before the splash screen gets displayed.
Like in the "Initialize()" of your splash screen form.

Dim currentAssembly As System.Reflection.Assembly = System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly()

Dim sb As System.Text.StringBuilder = New System.Text.StringBuilder

For Each resourceName As String In currentAssembly.GetManifestResourceNames()

sb.Append(resourceName)
sb.Append(Environment.NewLine)

Next

System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox.Show(sb.ToString())

It will list the resources in a message box.

Smile | :)

Smile | :)

Re: vb doesn't find the png file

Quiche8826-Jan-06 5:18

26-Jan-06 5:18

it done nothing i just got the error as usual. anyway thanx for ur help, if you cant think of the problem i'll ask my friend. he had the same error but cant remember how he got round it.

Re: vb doesn't find the png file

DameonBlack26-Jan-06 5:35

26-Jan-06 5:35

Without looking at your code it's hard to fix.

If you want to send me an example of the error I'm sure I could fix it for you.

DameonX24@hotmail.com

Thanks,
Dameon Black

Re: vb doesn't find the png file

DameonBlack26-Jan-06 7:01

26-Jan-06 7:01

The problem is that my code makes the assumption that your assembly name and root namespace are the same.

Go to "APP.vb" and replace the m_AssemblyPath with this:

Private Shared m_AssemblyPath As String = GetType(APP).Namespace.Replace(" ", "_")

That will clear up the problem.

P.S. I debugged the problem by putting this code in the "New()" constructor of your "Splash2.vb" before anything else gets called:

' Any Initialization Here
Dim currentAssembly As System.Reflection.Assembly = System.Reflection.Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly()

Dim sb As System.Text.StringBuilder = New System.Text.StringBuilder

For Each resourceName As String In currentAssembly.GetManifestResourceNames()

sb.Append(resourceName)
sb.Append(Environment.NewLine)

Next

System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox.Show(sb.ToString())

Thanks,
Dameon Black

Re: vb doesn't find the png file

Quiche8826-Jan-06 7:05

26-Jan-06 7:05

Thanx m8 ur a genius.

Hope u can help me

Shashidharreddy22-Jan-06 22:38

Shashidharreddy

22-Jan-06 22:38

i have posted a query few days back but i have't got proper responce. my query is

How can be a transparent panel control can be created. As I tried in many ways but it is applicable to window but not to the required control (panel), as well as I also have observed that Transparency will be applicable to windows forms but not to user control. Is it so, if yes why.

Shashidhar.

Re: Hope u can help me

DameonBlack23-Jan-06 4:26

23-Jan-06 4:26

It's hard for me to understand your English and determine what you are asking.

If I understand your question I would say you should set the "BackColor" of the "Panel" to "Transparent".

If this is not what you are looking for please rephrase your question and ask again.

Thanks,
Dameon Black

Re: Hope u can help me

fadee4-Apr-07 7:52

4-Apr-07 7:52

hehehe... you are being not very cun-vin-cing...

:->

-------------------
Therez No Place like ... 127.0.0.1

Black Background

Legandir16-Jan-06 11:21

16-Jan-06 11:21

When I use this code in my own project The image displays but with a black background where the transparency is supposed to be.

Is this a problem with the alpha channel of my image or something else?

I am using a png file made with photoshop cs

Thanks

Re: Black Background

DameonBlack16-Jan-06 15:36

16-Jan-06 15:36

Hi, I'm not sure what exactly you are doing to cause this.

Firstly, does the example program work?

If it does work (and it should I just tested it again) then most likely it is something to do with the image.

Also, check to make sure you are overriding both Paint and PaintBackground.

Thanks,
Dameon Black

Re: Black Background

Legandir17-Jan-06 6:26

17-Jan-06 6:26

Hi, thanks for your help.

It's ok now, the transparency of the form was the problem.

I had changed it when working on the program before. Although I'd put the default back in the properties window, the fact that it was still mentioned in to the Windows form generated code caused the problem.

Thanks!,
Legandir

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