LoadBitmap Function

Hi,

I am trying to write some code to load a bitmap, so that I can retrieve its pixel data. On the MSDN website, I found a function called LoadBitmap, which seems to do what I want :
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/de...tmaps_4c34.asp

The function prototype is:

HBITMAP LoadBitmap(
HINSTANCE hInstance, // handle to application instance
LPCTSTR lpBitmapName // name of bitmap resource
);


However, I am quite new to programming, and I don't know how to use the function. It says that hInstance is the "handle to the instance of the module whose executable file contains the bitmap to be loaded."

What on earth does this mean? What is a handle? What is the executable file that it is talking about?

As you can probably tell, my knowledge of C++ has a fair way to go!

Thank you.

I believe you can just use GetModuleHandle(NULL) to get the hInstance.

edit:

thats assuming you have the bitmap resource in the same executable. if you want to load a bitmap from file, you should use LoadImage() with the *_LOADFROMFILE flag.

Originally Posted by ejohns85

I am trying to write some code to load a bitmap, so that I can retrieve its pixel data.

Are you just trying to display the bitmap to the screen? Or are you actually trying to look at individual pixel information?

Originally Posted by ejohns85

What on earth does this mean? What is a handle? What is the executable file that it is talking about?

There are two ways to load a bitmap:
1. From a program resource.
- The bitmap is defined in a resource file (.rc) and is basically stored inside your .exe when compiled. Therefore when distributing your program you only have to give someone the .exe rather than the .exe + .bmp. Of course the .exe would be bigger in this case.
2. From a file on the hard drive (.bmp)

Ex of #1:

Code:

// This is file Resource.rc
deck_cards BITMAP Cards.bmp // Define a bitmap "Cards.bmp" with the ID of deck_cards.

Code:

// This is a .cpp file where all your other code is.
HBITMAP cardsBmp = LoadBitmap(instance, "deck_cards"); // Load bitmap from program resources rather than from hard drive.

Ex: #2 probably something like:

Code:

HBITMAP bmpCards = (HBITMAP)LoadImage(instance, "Cards.bmp", IMAGE_BITMAP, 0, 0, LR_LOADFROMFILE);

But I think the documentation says LR_LOADFROMFILE is not supported in Win NT.
If you want to access induvidual pixels and display the bitmap after manipulating them I think you should create a dibsection using CreateDIBSection().
But if you are reading from a file and you don't want to display it, you need NOT do that; instead simply learn about the bitamp file format and read in relevant info from file.

P.S. If you don't have a clue about handles and the like, you should read a tutorial for beginers or a good book before messing with bitmaps.