I wanna draw the caption, dammit!

Hello,

I'm trying to write my own versions of the WM_NCPAINT, WM_NCHITTEST and other associated nonclient area messages in order to create a custom title bar for my program. The thing is, it seems whenever I send WM_SETTEXT to my window it likes to use the DrawCaption function and undo all my lovely (Yes, really) work. :(

Obviously I would like to replace WM_SETTEXT so it can't attempt the unsightly drawing operation, but I don't know how to maintain its functionality (Where is a window's text stored?). Little help?

>>Where is a window's text stored?<<

GetWindowText API fn (just send a WM_GETTEXT msg).

>>whenever I send WM_SETTEXT to my window it likes to use the DrawCaption function<<

Then don't send the msg; retrieve the caption and draw it yourself.

But I need to update the window's caption on the taskbar as well (It's a media player, so the caption's updated every second to display the current track time), unless there's a way to draw to the taskbar button?!? :confused:

SetWindowText()

...

But I'm not sure if that will call DrawCaption() or send a WM_SETTEXT message (it seems likely, though.)

You could always set the window text with SetWindowText() and THEN draw all of your stuff. The simplest solutions are often the best...change the order you do stuff in.

>>SetWindowText<<

From msdn:

Quote:

---

If the target window is owned by the current process, SetWindowText causes a WM_SETTEXT message to be sent to the specified window or control

---

Oh, Mr. Fitlike...sometimes I wonder if you built MSDN yourself...:p

like I said, just call SetWindowText() before you do your painting and the point should be moot.

...unless, that is, you don't WANT to repaint every time you set the caption...but then I just don't know. :p

Weeeeelllllll, I know I could do that, but then time is wasted in Windows drawing the caption itself and then me going over it. I suppose it'll have to do (But will look icky on slower computers).