Iconits

When I found Iconits, I thought it was neat, but had several issues with it, which are improved here; 1) The alpha shading didn't seem right, and was really slow and/or unsafe. You can delete the whole "Alpha.cs" business now. 2) Names of properties improved to be more meaningful. 3) System.Component model attributes added to the properties to group them together in the properties pane (and dropped "Blur" - why would you use that?). 4) Started renaming other things to be accurate - like "Icon", which is now "Image" (and the whole class name, for that matter)...

Thanks to the original poster, and all who added to it over the months. I found it in Jan '07 and thought I would post this update (about half-way along its transformation to becoming "production code") for all to enjoy!

This class is still not polished, but I wanted to post it while there was still enough of it left to be recognized as "Iconits".

Anyhow, put this class in your project, drop one on your form, set an icon and some sizes and you will see it does the same thing Icontits does.

<br />
// Started with code and ideas from the "Iconits" project at<br />
// http://www.codeproject.com/cs/miscctrl/Iconits.asp<br />
// Then tried to use it and realized it needed work...<br />
// See http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/cpguide/html/_gdiplus_using_a_color_matrix_to_set_alpha_values_in_images_usecsharp.asp<br />
// Now it is totally different... and only about half-way done.<br />
<br />
using System;<br />
using System.Collections;<br />
using System.ComponentModel;<br />
using System.Drawing;<br />
using System.Windows.Forms;<br />
using System.Drawing.Drawing2D;<br />
using System.Drawing.Imaging;<br />
<br />
namespace UsedToBeIconits<br />
{<br />
    public partial class PuffyImage : UserControl<br />
    {<br />
        private System.Windows.Forms.Timer drawingTimer;<br />
        private System.Windows.Forms.ToolTip t = new ToolTip();<br />
<br />
        private Bitmap bitmap;<br />
        private Bitmap dblbuffer;<br />
        private Graphics dbufGraphics;<br />
<br />
        private int imwidth, imheight;<br />
        private double curwidth, curheight;<br />
        private double addx, addy;<br />
<br />
        private int flag;<br />
        private bool enter;<br />
<br />
        // Set up the ColorMatix values changing all pixel Alpha values<br />
        static float[][] _matrixItemsActive ={ <br />
            new float[] {1, 0, 0, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 1, 0, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 1, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 0, 1.00f, 0},    // 100% alpha (1.00f)<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 0, 0, 1}<br />
        };<br />
        static float[][] _matrixItemsDim ={ <br />
            new float[] {1, 0, 0, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 1, 0, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 1, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 0, 0.75f, 0},    // 75% alpha<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 0, 0, 1}<br />
        };<br />
        static float[][] _matrixItemsDimmer ={ <br />
            new float[] {1, 0, 0, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 1, 0, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 1, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 0, 0.50f, 0},    // 50% alpha<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 0, 0, 1}<br />
        };<br />
        static float[][] _matrixItemsDimmest ={ <br />
            new float[] {1, 0, 0, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 1, 0, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 1, 0, 0},<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 0, 0.25f, 0},    // 25% alpha<br />
            new float[] {0, 0, 0, 0, 1}<br />
        };<br />
<br />
        ColorMatrix[] _colorMatrix = {<br />
            new ColorMatrix(_matrixItemsActive),<br />
            new ColorMatrix(_matrixItemsDim),<br />
            new ColorMatrix(_matrixItemsDimmer),<br />
            new ColorMatrix(_matrixItemsDimmest)<br />
        };<br />
<br />
        // We will use an array of ImageAttributes with those ColorMatrices...<br />
        ImageAttributes[] _imageAttributes;<br />
<br />
        // TODO - make this obvious that it is a 4 image animation. <br />
        // Add events for enter/leave/click/double-click...<br />
        public PuffyImage()<br />
        {<br />
            // There will be four different alpha levels...<br />
            _imageAttributes = new ImageAttributes[4];<br />
            for (int ii = 0; ii < 4; ii++)<br />
            {<br />
                _imageAttributes[ii] = new ImageAttributes();<br />
<br />
                _imageAttributes[ii].SetColorMatrix(<br />
                   _colorMatrix[ii],<br />
                   ColorMatrixFlag.Default,<br />
                   ColorAdjustType.Bitmap);<br />
            }<br />
<br />
            dblbuffer = new Bitmap(Width, Height, PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb);<br />
            dbufGraphics = Graphics.FromImage(dblbuffer);<br />
<br />
            SizeWhenIdle = new Size(Width / 2, Height / 2);<br />
<br />
            InitializeComponent();<br />
<br />
            this.drawingTimer = new System.Windows.Forms.Timer(this.components);<br />
<br />
            this.drawingTimer.Interval = 10;<br />
            this.drawingTimer.Tick += new System.EventHandler(this.timer1_Tick);<br />
<br />
            this.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control;<br />
            this.Name = "BalloonButton";<br />
            this.SizeWhenActive = new System.Drawing.Size(160, 128);<br />
            this.Paint += new System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventHandler(this.Iconits_Paint);<br />
            this.MouseEnter += new System.EventHandler(this.Iconits_MouseEnter);<br />
            this.MouseLeave += new System.EventHandler(this.Iconits_MouseLeave);<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        private void Iconits_Paint(object sender, System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs e)<br />
        {<br />
            draw(3);<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        private void calc()<br />
        {<br />
            curwidth = imwidth;<br />
            curheight = imheight;<br />
<br />
            addx = (double)(Width - imwidth) / 10;<br />
            addy = (double)(Height - imheight) / 10;<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        private void draw(int state)<br />
        {<br />
            int st; // normal = 3 (dimmest)... 2, 1, 0 (active, original image)<br />
<br />
            st = state;<br />
<br />
<br />
            if (bitmap == null)<br />
                return;<br />
<br />
            dbufGraphics.Clear(((this.Parent == null) || (this.BackColor != Color.Transparent)) ? this.BackColor : this.Parent.BackColor);<br />
<br />
            Rectangle rb = new Rectangle(<br />
                     (int)((double)Width - curwidth) / 2,<br />
                     (int)((double)Height - curheight) / 2,<br />
                     (int)curwidth,<br />
                     (int)curheight);<br />
<br />
            // take out the "draw one-of-four-bmps..."<br />
<br />
            // Draw the bitmap image using different Alpha values, defined in imageAtt[]<br />
            dbufGraphics.DrawImage(<br />
               bitmap,<br />
               rb,  // destination rectangle<br />
               0.0f,                          // source rectangle x <br />
               0.0f,                          // source rectangle y<br />
               bitmap.Width,                  // source rectangle width<br />
               bitmap.Height,                 // source rectangle height<br />
               GraphicsUnit.Pixel,<br />
               _imageAttributes[st]);<br />
<br />
<br />
#if (DEBUG)<br />
            dbufGraphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.Goldenrod, rb); // idle size<br />
#endif<br />
<br />
            using (Graphics g = this.CreateGraphics())<br />
            {<br />
                g.DrawImageUnscaled(dblbuffer, 0, 0);<br />
#if (DEBUG)<br />
                Rectangle r = this.ClientRectangle;<br />
                r.Inflate(-1, -1);<br />
                g.DrawRectangle(System.Drawing.Pens.Green, r);  // active (full quality) size<br />
#endif<br />
            }<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        private void timer1_Tick(object sender, System.EventArgs e)<br />
        {<br />
            if (enter)<br />
            {<br />
                if (curwidth < Width)<br />
                    curwidth += addx;<br />
<br />
                if (curheight < Height)<br />
                    curheight += addy;<br />
<br />
                if (curwidth >= Width && curheight >= Height)<br />
                    drawingTimer.Enabled = false;<br />
<br />
                flag++;<br />
            }<br />
            else<br />
            {<br />
                if (curwidth > imwidth)<br />
                    curwidth -= addx;<br />
<br />
                if (curheight > imheight)<br />
                    curheight -= addy;<br />
<br />
                if (curwidth <= imwidth && curheight <= imheight)<br />
                    drawingTimer.Enabled = false;<br />
<br />
                flag--;<br />
            }<br />
<br />
            if (flag > 9)<br />
                draw(0);<br />
            else if (flag > 6)<br />
                draw(1);<br />
            else if (flag > 3)<br />
                draw(2);<br />
            else<br />
                draw(3);<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        private void Iconits_MouseEnter(object sender, System.EventArgs e)<br />
        {<br />
            enter = true;<br />
            drawingTimer.Enabled = true;<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        private void Iconits_MouseLeave(object sender, System.EventArgs e)<br />
        {<br />
            enter = false;<br />
            drawingTimer.Enabled = true;<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        [Category("Settings")]<br />
        [Description("Basic image for your Iconit")]<br />
        public Bitmap Image<br />
        {<br />
            // was "Icon"<br />
            get { return bitmap; }<br />
            set<br />
            {<br />
                bitmap = value;<br />
<br />
                calc();<br />
                draw(3);<br />
            }<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        [Category("Settings")]<br />
        [Description("Maximum size for your image (set to the native size)")]<br />
        public new Size SizeWhenActive<br />
        {<br />
            // Was "Size"<br />
            get { return new Size(Width, Height); }<br />
            set<br />
            {<br />
                Width = ((Size)value).Width;<br />
                Height = ((Size)value).Height;<br />
                calc();<br />
                draw(3);<br />
            }<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        [Category("Settings")]<br />
        [Description("Minimum size for your image (when it is idle and dim)")]<br />
        public Size SizeWhenIdle<br />
        {<br />
            // Was "IconSize"<br />
            get { return new Size(imwidth, imheight); }<br />
            set<br />
            {<br />
                imwidth = ((Size)value).Width;<br />
                imheight = ((Size)value).Height;<br />
                if (imwidth > Width)<br />
                    imwidth = Width;<br />
                if (imheight > Height)<br />
                    imheight = Height;<br />
                calc();<br />
                draw(3);<br />
            }<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        public string TooltipText<br />
        {<br />
            get { return t.GetToolTip(this); }<br />
            set { t.SetToolTip(this, value); }<br />
        }<br />
<br />
        protected override void OnVisibleChanged(EventArgs e)<br />
        {<br />
            base.OnVisibleChanged(e);<br />
            if (this.Visible == true)<br />
                draw(3);<br />
        }<br />
<br />
    } // End-of-class<br />
<br />
} // End-of-namespace<br />

using System;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Drawing.Imaging;

namespace ITS.Windows.Forms
{
  public class Alpha
  {
    private static int min(int val)
    {
      return (val<0?0:val);
    }

    public static void setAlpha(Bitmap bmp, int alpha)
    {
      Color col;			

      for (int i=0;i<bmp.Width;i++)
        for (int j=0;j<bmp.Height;j++)				
        {
          col=bmp.GetPixel(i,j);							
          if (col.A>0)
            bmp.SetPixel(i,j,Color.FromArgb(min(col.A-alpha),col.R,col.G,col.B));						
        }			
    }

    public static void returnAlpha2(ref Bitmap bmp, int alpha, ref Bitmap bmpModify)
    {
      Color col;

      for (int i=0;i<bmp.Width;i++)
        for (int j=0;j<bmp.Height;j++)
        {
          col=bmp.GetPixel(i,j);
          if (col.A>0)
            bmpModify.SetPixel(i,j,Color.FromArgb(min(col.A-alpha),col.R,col.G,col.B));
        }
    }
    
    /// <summary>
    /// Adjusts the alpha level of the given bitmap
    /// by a given amount.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="bmp">The bitmap to adjust alpha of.</param>
    /// <param name="alpha">The alpha level to adjust by.</param>
    /// <returns>A new bitmap, copied from the original, but with adjusted alpha.</returns>
    /// <remarks>The alpha parameter can be positive or negative, by the amount
    /// of adjustment desired. The value should be in the range of -255 to 255.</remarks>
    public static unsafe void returnAlpha(ref Bitmap bmp, int alpha, ref Bitmap modifiedBmp)
    {
      // Don't process bitmaps that don't have an alpha channel
      if (bmp.PixelFormat != PixelFormat.Format24bppRgb 
            && bmp.PixelFormat != PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb)
        throw new ArgumentException();

      // Lock the original bitmap and get its data
      GraphicsUnit gu = GraphicsUnit.Pixel;
      RectangleF rectF = bmp.GetBounds(ref gu);
      Rectangle rect = Rectangle.Round(rectF);
      BitmapData bmpData = bmp.LockBits(rect, ImageLockMode.ReadOnly, bmp.PixelFormat);

      // Lock the copy bitmap and get its data
      rectF = modifiedBmp.GetBounds(ref gu);
      rect = Rectangle.Round(rectF);
      BitmapData copyData = modifiedBmp.LockBits(rect, 
        ImageLockMode.ReadWrite, PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb);

      // Create pointers for reading and writing the bitmaps
      byte* oPx = (byte*)bmpData.Scan0;
      byte* cPx = (byte*)copyData.Scan0;
      byte b, a;

      for (int y=0; y<bmpData.Height; y++)
      {
        for (int x=0; x<bmpData.Width; x++)
        {
          // NOTE: Scanlines in a .NET bitmap usually order pixels in 
          // little-endian order, or "reverse" from the common way of
          // thinking about them. That means, instead of ARGB, its BGRA.

          // Copy color values from original to copy
          *cPx = *oPx;		        // Blue
          *(cPx+1) = *(oPx+1);  // Green
          *(cPx+2) = *(oPx+2);  // Red


          // Retrieve base alpha value from original bitmap
          if (bmpData.PixelFormat == PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb)
          {
              // Get alpha component if original bitmap is 32bit
              b = *(oPx+3);
          }
          else
          {
              // Get the color average if the original bitmap is 24bit
              b = (byte)((*cPx + *(cPx+1) + *(cPx+2)) / 3);
          }

          // Set the alpha value for the bitmap copy
          a = 0;
          if (b > 0)
          {
            // Get alpha value clamped in range 0-255
            a = (byte)Math.Min(255, Math.Max(0, b-alpha));
            
            // NOTE: To directly set the alpha value of each pixel, rather than adjust. This
            // requires that the alpha parameter have a range of 0 to 255, rather than -255 to 255.
            // a = (byte)Math.Min(255, Math.Max(0, alpha)); // Clamp alpha value, 0-255
          }               

          // Record the alpha value in the bitmap copy
          *(cPx+3) = a;

          // Advance pointers to the next pixel
          cPx += 4;

          if (bmpData.PixelFormat == PixelFormat.Format24bppRgb)
            oPx += 3;
          else
            oPx += 4;
        }

        // NOTE: A .NET Bitmap always uses up the same amount of memory,
        // regardless of its bit depth (8bit images are a little different).
        // Each row of pixels in a bitmap will always use up 'width*4' bytes,
        // so a 24bit bitmap will have an extra 'width' bytes of unused space
        // for each row. A 16bit bitmap will have an extra 'width*2' bytes 
        // of unused space. This must be taken into account when advancing
        // pointers while doing operations on image pixels.

        // Advance the original bitmap pointer by any leftover 
        // bytes for the current row if the bitmap is 24 bits.
        if (bmpData.PixelFormat == PixelFormat.Format24bppRgb)
          oPx += bmpData.Width;
      }        
      
      // Unlock the bitmap data in memory, allowing the GC to properly
      // collect their memory when they are no longer used
      modifiedBmp.UnlockBits(copyData);
      bmp.UnlockBits(bmpData);
    }
  }
}

using System;
using System.Collections;
using System.ComponentModel;
using System.Drawing;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Drawing.Drawing2D;
using System.Drawing.Imaging;

namespace ITS.Windows.Forms
{
  public class Iconits : System.Windows.Forms.UserControl
  {
    private System.ComponentModel.IContainer components;
    private System.Windows.Forms.Timer timer1;
    private System.Windows.Forms.ToolTip t=new ToolTip();

    private Bitmap[] bmp;
    private Bitmap dblbuffer;
    private Graphics dbufGraphics;

    private int imwidth,imheight;
    private double curwidth,curheight;
    private double addx,addy;

    private int flag;
    private bool enter;

    private bool blur = true;

    public Iconits()
    {
      bmp = new Bitmap[4];

      dblbuffer = new Bitmap(Width,Height,PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb);
      dbufGraphics = Graphics.FromImage(dblbuffer);

      IconSize = new Size(Width/2,Height/2);

      InitializeComponent();			
    }

    /// <summary> 
    /// Clean up any resources being used.
    /// </summary>
    protected override void Dispose( bool disposing )
    {
      if( disposing )
      {
        if(components != null)
        {
          components.Dispose();
        }
      }
      base.Dispose( disposing );
    }

    #region Component Designer generated code
    /// <summary> 
    /// Required method for Designer support - do not modify 
    /// the contents of this method with the code editor.
    /// </summary>
    private void InitializeComponent()
    {
      this.components = new System.ComponentModel.Container();
      this.timer1 = new System.Windows.Forms.Timer(this.components);
      // 
      // timer1
      // 
      this.timer1.Interval = 10;
      this.timer1.Tick += new System.EventHandler(this.timer1_Tick);
      // 
      // Iconits
      // 
      this.BackColor = System.Drawing.SystemColors.Control;
      this.Name = "Iconits";
      this.Size = new System.Drawing.Size(160, 128);
      this.Paint += new System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventHandler(this.Iconits_Paint);
      this.MouseEnter += new System.EventHandler(this.Iconits_MouseEnter);
      this.MouseLeave += new System.EventHandler(this.Iconits_MouseLeave);
    }
    #endregion

    private void Iconits_Paint(object sender, System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs e)
    {				
      draw(3);						
    }

    private void calc()
    {
      curwidth = imwidth;
      curheight = imheight;

      addx = (double)(Width-imwidth)/10;
      addy = (double)(Height-imheight)/10;
    }

    private void draw(int state)
    {
      int st;

      if (blur)
        st=state;
      else
        st=0;

      if (bmp[st] == null)
              return;

      dbufGraphics.Clear(((this.Parent == null) || (this.BackColor != Color.Transparent)) ? this.BackColor : this.Parent.BackColor);

      Rectangle rb =  new Rectangle(
               (int)((double)Width-curwidth)/2,
               (int)((double)Height-curheight)/2,
               (int)curwidth,
               (int)curheight);

      dbufGraphics.DrawImage(bmp[st], rb);

    #if (DEBUG)
      dbufGraphics.DrawRectangle(Pens.Black, rb);
    #endif

      using (Graphics g = this.CreateGraphics())
      {
        g.DrawImageUnscaled(dblbuffer,0,0);
      #if (DEBUG)
        Rectangle r = this.ClientRectangle;
        r.Inflate(-1,-1);
        g.DrawRectangle(System.Drawing.Pens.Black,r);
      #endif
      }
    }

    private void timer1_Tick(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
    {				
      if (enter)
      {
        if (curwidth < Width)
          curwidth += addx;

        if (curheight < Height)
          curheight += addy;

        if (curwidth >= Width && curheight >= Height)
          timer1.Enabled = false;

        flag++;
      }
      else
      {
        if (curwidth > imwidth)
          curwidth -= addx;

        if (curheight > imheight)
          curheight -= addy;

        if (curwidth <= imwidth && curheight <= imheight)
          timer1.Enabled = false;

        flag--;
      }

      if (flag>9)
        draw(0);
      else if (flag>6)
        draw(1);
      else if (flag>3)
        draw(2);
      else
        draw(3);
    }

    private void Iconits_MouseEnter(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
    {			
      enter = true;
      timer1.Enabled = true;
    }

    private void Iconits_MouseLeave(object sender, System.EventArgs e)
    {
      enter = false;
      timer1.Enabled = true;
    }

    public Bitmap Icon
    {
      get { return bmp[0]; }
      set {
        bmp[0]=value;

        for (int i = 1 ; i < 4 ; i++)
        {
          if (bmp[i] != null)
            bmp[i].Dispose();
          bmp[i] = new Bitmap(bmp[0].Width,bmp[0].Height,PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb);
        }
        if (bmp[0] != null)
        {
          Alpha.returnAlpha(ref bmp[0], 60,  ref bmp[1]);
          Alpha.returnAlpha(ref bmp[0], 120, ref bmp[2]);
          Alpha.returnAlpha(ref bmp[0], 180, ref bmp[3]);
        }

        calc();
        draw(3);
      }
    }

    public new Size Size
    {
      get { return new Size(Width,Height); }
      set 
      {
        Width = ((Size)value).Width;
        Height = ((Size)value).Height;
        calc();
        draw(3);
      }
    }

    public Size IconSize
    {
      get { return new Size(imwidth,imheight); }
      set
      {
        imwidth = ((Size)value).Width;
        imheight = ((Size)value).Height;
        if (imwidth > Width)
          imwidth = Width;
        if (imheight > Height)
          imheight = Height;
        calc();
        draw(3);				
      }
    }

    public bool Blur
    {
      get { return blur; }
      set
      {
        blur=value;
        if (!blur)
        {
          bmp[1].Dispose();
          bmp[2].Dispose();
          bmp[3].Dispose();
        }
        else
        {
          for (int i = 1 ; i < 4 ; i++)
          {
            if (bmp[i] != null)
              bmp[i].Dispose();
            bmp[i] = new Bitmap(Width,Height,PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb);
          }
          if (bmp[0] != null)
          {
            Alpha.returnAlpha(ref bmp[0], 60,  ref bmp[1]);
            Alpha.returnAlpha(ref bmp[0], 120, ref bmp[2]);
            Alpha.returnAlpha(ref bmp[0], 180, ref bmp[3]);
          }
        }
      }
    }

    public string About
    {
      get { return "Iconits 0.1.1 - ITS Informatics Surabaya, author: Yojana Hanif"; }
    }

    public string TooltipText
    {
      get { return t.GetToolTip(this); }
      set { t.SetToolTip(this,value); }
    }
        
    protected override void OnVisibleChanged(EventArgs e)
    {
      base.OnVisibleChanged(e);
      if (this.Visible == true)
        draw(3);
    }        
  }
}

protected override void OnVisibleChanged(EventArgs e)
{
    base.OnVisibleChanged(e);
    if (this.Visible == true)
    {
        g = this.CreateGraphics();
        draw(3);
    }
}

/// <summary>
/// Adjusts the alpha level of the given bitmap
/// by a given amount.
/// </summary>
/// <param name="bmp">The bitmap to adjust alpha of.</param>
/// <param name="alpha">The alpha level to adjust by.</param>
/// <returns>A new bitmap, copied from the original, but with adjusted alpha.</returns>
/// <remarks>The alpha parameter can be positive or negative, by the amount
/// of adjustment desired. The value should be in the range of -255 to 255.</remarks>
public unsafe Bitmap returnAlpha(Bitmap bmp, int alpha)
{
    // Don't process bitmaps that don't have an alpha channel
    if (bmp.PixelFormat != PixelFormat.Format24bppRgb 
      && bmp.PixelFormat != PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb)
      throw new ArgumentException();

    // Copy the bitmap
    Bitmap bmpCopy = new Bitmap(bmp.Width, bmp.Height, PixelFormat.32bppArgb);

    // Lock the original bitmap and get its data
    GraphicsUnit gu = GraphicsUnit.Pixel;
    RectangleF rectF = bmp.GetBounds(ref gu);
    Rectangle rect = Rectangle.Round(rectF);
    BitmapData bmpData = bmp.LockBits(rect, ImageLockMode.Read, bmp.PixelFormat);

    // Lock the copy bitmap and get its data
    rectF = bmpCopy.GetBounds(ref gu);
    rect = Rectangle.Round(rectF);
    BitmapData copyData = bmpCopy.LockBits(rect, ImageLockMode.ReadWrite, PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb);

    // Create pointers for reading and writing the bitmaps
    byte* oPx = (byte*)bmpData.Scan0;
    byte* cPx = (byte*)copyData.Scan0;
    uint black = 255;
    byte b, a;

    for (int y=0; y<bmpData.Height; y++)
    {
        for (int x=0; x<bmpData.Width; x++)
        {
            // NOTE: Scanlines in a .NET bitmap usually order pixels in 
            // little-endian order, or "reverse" from the common way of
            // thinking about them. That means, instead of ARGB, its BGRA.

            // Copy color values from original to copy
            *cPx = *oPx;		// Blue
            *(cPx+1) = *(oPx+1);	// Green
            *(cPx+2) = *(oPx+2);	// Red


            // Retrieve base alpha value from original bitmap
            if (bmpData.PixelFormat == PixelFormat.Format32bppArgb)
            {
                // Get alpha component if original bitmap is 32bit
	        b = *(oPx+3);
            }
            else
            {
                // Get the color average if the original bitmap is 24bit
                b = (byte)((*cPx + *(cPx+1) + *(cPx+2)) / 3);
            }

            // Set the alpha value for the bitmap copy
            a = 0;
            if (b > 0)
            {
              a = (byte)Math.Min(255, Math.Max(0, b-alpha));  // Get alpha value clamped in range 0-255
              
              // NOTE: To directly set the alpha value of each pixel, rather than adjust. This
              // requires that the alpha parameter have a range of 0 to 255, rather than -255 to 255.
              // a = (byte)Math.Min(255, Math.Max(0, alpha)); // Clamp alpha value, 0-255
            }               

            // Record the alpha value in the bitmap copy
            *(cPx+3) = a;

            // Advance pointers to the next pixel
            cPx += 4;

            if (bmpData.PixelFormat == PixelFormat.Format24bppRgb)
              oPx += 3;
            else
              oPx += 4;
        }

        // NOTE: A .NET Bitmap always uses up the same amount of memory,
        // regardless of its bit depth (8bit images are a little different).
        // Each row of pixels in a bitmap will always use up 'width*4' bytes,
        // so a 24bit bitmap will have an extra 'width' bytes of unused space
        // for each row. A 16bit bitmap will have an extra 'width*2' bytes 
        // of unused space. This must be taken into account when advancing
        // pointers while doing operations on image pixels.

        // Advance the original bitmap pointer by any leftover 
        // bytes for the current row if the bitmap is 24 bits.
        if (bmpData.PixelFormat == PixelFormat.Format24bppRgb)
          oPx += bmpData.Width;
    }

    // Unlock the bitmap data in memory, allowing the GC to properly
    // collect their memory when they are no longer used
    copyBmp.UnlockBits(copyData);
    bmp.UnlockBits(bmpData);

    // Return the alpha-adjusted image
    return copyBmp;
}