grad2

Make Gradient Forms (Using API)

Make Gradient Forms (Using API)

This example using msimg32.dll That's shipped with Windows 98, but not
shipped with Windows 95/NT.

Preparations

Add 2 Command Buttons (named Command1 and Command2)
Pressing on Command1 will paint the form wilth gradient fill. Pressing on
Command2 will clear the form.

Module Code

Option Explicit

Public Type TRIVERTEX
x As Long
y As Long
Red As Integer
Green As Integer
Blue As Integer
Alpha As Integer
End Type

Public Type GRADIENT_RECT
UpperLeft As Long
LowerRight As Long
End Type

Public Const GRADIENT_FILL_RECT_H As Long = &H0
Public Const GRADIENT_FILL_RECT_V As Long = &H1

Declare Function GradientFillRect Lib "msimg32" _
Alias "GradientFill" (ByVal hdc As Long, pVertex As TRIVERTEX, _
ByVal dwNumVertex As Long, pMesh As GRADIENT_RECT, ByVal _
dwNumMesh As Long, ByVal dwMode As Long) As Long

Form Code

Private Sub Form_Load()
Me.ScaleMode = vbPixels
End Sub

Private Function LongToUShort(ULong As Long) As Integer
LongToUShort = CInt(ULong - &H10000)
End Function

Private Function UShortToLong(Ushort As Integer) As Long
UShortToLong = (CLng(Ushort) And &HFFFF&)
End Function

Private Sub Command2_Click()
Cls
End Sub

Private Sub Command1_Click()
Dim vert(1) As TRIVERTEX
Dim gRect As GRADIENT_RECT
With vert(0)
.x = 0
.y = 0
.Red = 0&
.Green = &HFF&
.Blue = 0&
.Alpha = 0&
End With
With vert(1)
.x = Me.ScaleWidth
.y = Me.ScaleHeight
.Red = 0&
.Green = LongToUShort(&HFF00&)
.Blue = LongToUShort(&HFF00&)
.Alpha = 0&
End With
gRect.UpperLeft = 1
gRect.LowerRight = 0
'replace GRADIENT_FILL_RECT_H with GRADIENT_FILL_RECT_V to paint
'the form with vertically gradient, instead of horizontally gradient
GradientFillRect Me.hdc, vert(0), 2, gRect, 1, GRADIENT_FILL_RECT_H
End Sub