AlphaGradientPanel, an extended panel

Imports System.Drawing.Design
Imports System.ComponentModel

<TypeConverter(GetType(ColorWithAlphaTypeConverter)), _
DesignTimeVisible(False), _
ToolboxItem(False), _
Serializable()> _
Public Class ColorWithAlpha
    Inherits Component

    Private ctlParent As Control

    <Browsable(False)> _
    Public Property Parent() As Control
        Get
            Return ctlParent
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As Control)
            ctlParent = value
        End Set
    End Property

    Sub New()
        MyBase.New()
        Invalidate()
    End Sub

    Sub Invalidate()
        If Not Parent Is Nothing Then
            Parent.Invalidate()
        End If
    End Sub

    Private clColor As Color = SystemColors.Control
    Private iAlpha As Integer = 255

    Property Color() As Color
        Get
            Return clColor
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As Color)
            clColor = value
            Invalidate()
        End Set
    End Property

    Property Alpha() As Integer
        Get
            Return iAlpha
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As Integer)
            iAlpha = value
            Invalidate()
        End Set
    End Property

End Class