Alpha Image Device

eww245 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 08:44 PM

Here is a library that I created a few months ago for loading Alpha transparent Images on the PPC.
It utilizes a Com component called IImagingfactory that was implemented in Windows Mobile 5.
So this will only work with WM5 or higher with .NET Compact Framework 2.0 or higher.

The methods of interest are DrawImage and ImageOnSection.
Images can be loaded from file, byte[] array, or an embedded resource.

GetImageSection will get a section of the back image that can be used with any control supporting images.
ImageSection is a reference to that image.

Images can be drawn in the foreground, allowing for dynamic replacement.
Background images should be loaded before any foreground otherwise some images will be lost.
An embedded image in a seperate Dll can be loaded with GetImageResource , for those that are able to do so.

DrawString is included which is able to draw text centered on the form, AlphaBlend is also included.

This is a a fully functional beta release that will likely change in the future.
Have Fun

, and please post any Questions Comments or Requests.

eww245 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 08:44 PM

This spot was saved for a compiler utility that I finally got around to writing.
A new thread has been opened for it http://www.basic4ppc.com/forum/addit...html#post30322

agraham · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 12:40 PM

Have you got a demo app you could post? Also a compatible desktop library for development would be useful. The present library needs to be added to the desktop for optimised compiling to work but the desktop crashes if you try to run it.

It looks like at the moment it only works for Form images. It would be nice if there was an AlphaBitmap class that drew on an internal bitmap and could open and blend images with alpha values. If it returned that internal image as a Value property it could then be used in conjunction with ImageLib and ImageLibEx bitmaps. I don't know if a bitmap format conversion would be needed or not - I'm not so hot on graphics stuff.

I suspect, but haven't tried, that it will need some modification to work when AutoScale compiled. http://www.basic4ppc.com/forum/beta-...libraries.html

eww245 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agraham

Have you got a demo app you could post? Also a compatible desktop library for development would be useful. The present library needs to be added to the desktop for optimised compiling to work but the desktop crashes if you try to run it.

It looks like at the moment it only works for Form images. It would be nice if there was an AlphaBitmap class that drew on an internal bitmap and could open and blend images with alpha values. If it returned that internal image as a Value property it could then be used in conjunction with ImageLib and ImageLibEx bitmaps. I don't know if a bitmap format conversion would be needed or not - I'm not so hot on graphics stuff.

I suspect, but haven't tried, that it will need some modification to work when AutoScale compiled. http://www.basic4ppc.com/forum/beta-...libraries.html

ImageSection would be that value, but it is not settable.

What I'll do is add another method that can draw a Bitmap on it and also make the property settable.

I'm quite spoiled by the device IDE, it's where I develop everything and only use the desktop for compiling and it doesn't crash.
The cPPc property didn't work for me before, I'll just have to figure it out.

As of now I don't think I'll be able to make a Desktop version, other than a dummy.

Right now I'm adding some new features so I'll get a demo ready when it's done.

agraham · #5 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eww245

As of now I don't think I'll be able to make a Desktop version, other than a dummy.

Why not? It would be a shame if you didn't and you seem more than competent enough! I would have thought it would be easier on the desktop as the GDI+ stuff is exposed in .NET, so you don't need COM, and AlphaBlend is in gdi32.dll.

eww245 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agraham

Why not? It would be a shame if you didn't and you seem more than competent enough! I would have thought it would be easier on the desktop as the GDI+ stuff is exposed in .NET, so you don't need COM, and AlphaBlend is in gdi32.dll.

Ok, I'll check it out.

Byak@ · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 12:37 PM

Good work ,eww245! I'm hope you don't throw it!
Without sample i can't understand...this lib can load Alpha Transparented images from png\ico and draw it (now on form)?

eww245 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-16-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byak@

Good work ,eww245! I'm hope you don't throw it!
Without sample i can't understand...this lib can load Alpha Transparented images from png\ico and draw it (now on form)?

Yes it can draw png's with an alpha channel. No it does not load ico's, but I'll look in to it.

For now I'm not going into too much detail here but I have added a bunch.

There are three classes Alpha AlphaImage ImageList
I took agrahams

suggestion and added the seperate class for a non form image.
ImageList was added for regular Bitmaps because Basic4ppc ImageList only keeps a reference to an image, not making a copy.

AlphaImage has AdjustBrightness, AdjustContrast, AdjustGamma, Rotate and Flip along with the same methods as Alpha.
These are part of the IBitmapImage object that I've finally been able to understand.
Anyone's guess is as good as mine for the value ranges, except for Flip, it is bool and bool.

I removed drawing in the foreground, Form.DrawImage acts as a foreground so it's not needed.
Also a memory leak, I believe, is solved, at least for most methods.

The first post has been updated with these changes and a demo, Door and BinaryFile are needed.
BinaryFile is a complement to this as the embedded images can be loaded into a byte[] array.
Door isn't needed but a few methods helped with the demo.

I'm still finding something new with this often so this could eventually be quite a large library.

Byak@ · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 04:13 PM

oo,It is a really good work!many thanks!
maybe you create a dummy(or not) lib for PC?some of my projects work on Desctop and on device.

eww245 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-19-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byak@

oo,It is a really good work!many thanks!
maybe you create a dummy(or not) lib for PC?some of my projects work on Desctop and on device.

Yes, I have started working on a Desktop version, but having trouble with the AlphaBlend API.
No errors it just won't work.
Transparency obviously isn't a problem on the Desktop.

I'm trying to figure out an equivalent for Flip Brightness Gamma and Contrast.
For the device it now will only make these changes to the transparent image, not effecting the backimage.

I'll update it here as soon as I resolve some of these issues.

There is the ability to install, uninstall, Encoders and Codecs.
I'm guessing creating custom versions.
And a huge list of ImageTags that can be set or retrieved.
Although this is probably more difficult I'm willing to try it if anyone is intrested.

PropertyTag Values