how to set a background as a image?

[Rare177]

hi is there some one out there who would know how to a set a background image in win32 api.thanks

[XSquared]

SystemParametersInfo( SPI_SETDESKWALLPAPER, 0, "C:\\wallpaper.jpg", 0 );

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...metersinfo.asp

[Rare177]

sorry
i ment for the actual program like a bitmap file , not the desktop

[Mithoric]

Easiest way is to do it in the registering of the window class

wncl.hbrBackground = CreatePatternBrush( LoadBitmap( hInstance, MAKEINTRESOURCE( your_bitmap ) ) );

[Rare177]

  wincl.hbrBackground = CreatePatternBrush( LoadBitmap( hThisInstance, MAKEINTRESOURCE(BACKGROUND) ) );

this did not work

[SMurf]

Bear in mind that under Win9x, CreatePatternBrush will only use a max 8x8 bitmap for a pattern brush. If compatibility with this platform is required, then modification of the window's WM_PAINT message will be necessary (Some BitBlting required).

[Ken Fitlike]

Bear in mind that under Win9x, CreatePatternBrush will only use a max 8x8 bitmap for a pattern brush

CreatePatternBrush is ok for win98; it's only win95 that limits the size to 8x8.

this did not work

This doesn't help us to help you. If you got an error what error was reported?

[Rare177]

i didnt get a error and im on XP
its just not showing the picture
and yes its all setup right in the resource file

[Ken Fitlike]

There are two likely problems then:

1. hThisInstance is not valid. Try using GetModuleHandle(0) instead.

2. You're passing a string resource identifier to MAKEINTRESOURCE rather than a short int resource identifier (check value of 'BACKGROUND' - substitute in the numerical value in place of MAKEINTRESOURCE(...) in your LoadBitmap call.

If that fails to identify the source of the problem then it might be a good idea to break the bitmap and brush creation line into separate parts, checking the return values from LoadBitmap and CreatePatternBrush to check for non-NULL values. If either is NULL then use GetLastError to give you some better idea of why.

[Rare177]

wincl.hbrBackground = CreatePatternBrush( LoadBitmap( GetModuleHandle(0), MAKEINTRESOURCE(700) ) );

did not work it compiled and still nothing

[Ken Fitlike]

If that fails to identify the source of the problem then it might be a good idea to break the bitmap and brush creation line into separate parts, checking the return values from LoadBitmap and CreatePatternBrush to check for non-NULL values. If either is NULL then use GetLastError to give you some better idea of why.

...and the result of trying that is...?

[Rare177]

well i dont get a background or color it just paints wat window was over it say if explorer was over it then it will paint what was over it.
sorry on the late reply

[Rare177]

#include <windows.h>
#include "manifest.h"

MANIFEST_RESOURCE_ID  MANIFEST "client.exe.manifest"

500 ICON "main.ico"
600 ICON "app.ico"
800 ICON "tray.ico"
700 BACKGROUND BITMAP "background.bmp"

i have it defined as

#define BACKGROUND 700

up the top
when i open it it paints the current window that was above the app
say if i have msn messenger over it.it will paint that to it.please help.thanks

[anonytmouse]

700 BACKGROUND BITMAP "background.bmp"

should be:

700 BITMAP "background.bmp"

or

BACKGROUND BITMAP "background.bmp"

--
Typically, we create a header file "resource.h" with:

#define IDI_APPICON 1001
#define IDI_TRAYICON 1002
#define IDB_BACKGROUND 2001

and then we #include that file in both the resource file and the project:

#include <windows.h>
#include "resource.h"

IDI_APPICON ICON "app.ico"
IDI_TRAYICON ICON "tray.ico"
IDB_BACKGROUND BITMAP "background.bmp"

The numbers are only used once, in the header file.

[Rare177]

ah thanks so much it works!!
much apreciated