Thread: Good News about skinning windows!

When I asked about making skinned windows, I was given a link to a zip file with tons of script (uses regions). And every one else was given similar links to similar script. That is all a waste. Just make your window with WS_EX_LAYERED and use SetLayeredWindowAttributes() to make a color of your choice completely transparent. A lot easier and tons of less script.

SetLayeredWindowAttributes is unsupported on Windows 95/98/Me, which is why most people use regions.

Maes said in 2001:

I had a similar question a while a go and Zen pointed me to layered windows. Regions are a bit out of date. they are slow, only let you use transparency and you lose system performence. If you use win2k or XP you can use the style WS_EX_LAYERED and ad transluceny and stuff. Maybe you can also use it on win98 because the MS office agent was made like that (according to the link above)

Ken Fitlike said in 2004:

For a minimum operating system of windows 2000, you can always use SetLayeredWindowAttributes to create a non-rectangular window, setting the bAlpha parameter to the transparent colour of whatever bitmap/image you intend to use and the dwFlags parameter to LWA_COLORKEY. The window needs to have the WS_EX_LAYERED extended window style.

I think the moral of this story is that it is worthwhile searching these forums.