Button images

Hi All,

I have a button, 'changed' the background image to image A
as the mouse pointer enters the button area it changes to image B
and if the mouse pointer leaves the area it changes back to image A
All this using events.
So far so good.

But what I want is; when the pointer enters the area this should change to image B and after several milli sec. back to image A. (even when the pointer is still in the button area).
Creating a sort of a flash. (images A and B are more or less the same, B is a lighter one)

using;

button.backgroundimage = A;
button.backgroundimage = B;

does not work

where do I go wrong?

regards,

ger

In order to get a flash effect, you need to put a delay in the code, and the delay has to be run on another thread (or the form will not update). Psuedocode:

Code:

---

//add reference to class
using System.Threading;
//class globals
image imageA;
image imageB;
Button flashButton;
//this code assumes you have loaded imageA and imageB with the images you want to use. If you run as-is, they will be null. 


//add this 3-line snippet to your button event method
flashButton = (Button)sender;
Thread buttonFlashThread = new Thread(flashTheButton);
buttonFlashThread.Start();

//call this method when the mouse enters (this is done by adding the 3-line snippet above to your button event handler method)
void flashTheButton(){
  BeginInvoke(new MethodInvoker(performFlash));
  Thread.Sleep(200);//increase/decrease for effect, this is a 2/10th second delay
  BeginInvoke(new MethodInvoker(performFlash));
}
void  performFlash(){
  if(flashButton.Image==imageA){
      flashButton.Image = imageB;
  }else{
      flashButton.Image = imageA;
  }
}

---

There are many more efficient ways to accomplish this (without using globals, particularly), but I don't know how familiar you are with threading, so I used globals and BeginInvoke to skirt delegates and other more complicated things. Good luck!

Hi mrgr8avill,

Thanks for the reply !!

I put the code into my project, and it works !!
I will study the code the next days, as do not fully understand it.
the BeginInvoke is still magic to me, have to figger that one out.

Next;

how do I change the standard focus dotted line, on the button.
for this state I have also a button pic. avail.
So I want to get rid of the dotted line and use my own.

regards,

Ger

Ger - BeginInvoke is kind of the poor man's way of acting ont he main (form) thread from other threads without causing the processor to get *****y about trying to do two things at once. Sounds like you need to try a couple more images and use the same basic logic I provided on the Focus() event. The new Thread/Thread.Start() sets processing in the background, and BeginInvoke goes back to the main thread. Just make sure you put anything you actually do to the form controls inside a method you call with BeginInvoke and you should be golden. Let me know if you get stuck.

to mrgr8avill,

can you give me a start, without giving all the details?
I need to override the system focus, correct?


regrads,

ger

@mrgr8avill,

I managed to change the focus image, with more or less the same code to change the image during the flash.
Only one thing stays, the system focus dotted line, which I want to get rid off, as I use my own images.
how to I get rid off the dotted line?

regards,

ger

Ger,

I'm unable to replicate the problem you're having - could you post your code and I'll see what I can do directly?

Hi mrgr8avill,

open the msvs, and create a dialog/form put serveral buttons in it.
now run the program.
press the tab key, you see a dotted line on the button which has the keyboard focus.
press the tab again, and the dotted line jumps to the next button.
so if i use a custom image I do not need this dotted line.
I hope this is clear enough, if not I will post the code.

regards,

ger

How will the user know which button has focus? Are you planning on having button images with focus rects?

yep,

I have 3 images, one for neutral, one for keyboard focus and one for the mouse over the button event.
or
I can use the neutral image and place a custom rect on it, I do not like the standard dotted line one.

regards,

ger

Search bing or google for "removing focus rect from a button C#"

Hi all,

I found that I need to use this:

Code:

---

class CustomButton : System.Windows.Forms.Button
    {
        protected override bool ShowFocusCues
        {
            get
            {
                return false;
            }
        }
}

---

but how do I use this?

regards,

ger

You first override a Button class as shown, then you use that button class in your form.

Hi,

I do understand the override feature, but my knowledge is very thin, yet...
I'm sorry but I do know how to implement this.

This is what I found;

http://blog.dotnetstep.in/2009/06/re...om-button.html

It would be nice if I could use the second part of the article of the above mentioned link.
so I can turn it off/on in the propertie page at design!!

regards,

ger

1) Add a new button derived class to your project from the code in the link.
2) Compile the project
3) Open the form in designer view
4) Drag your custom button onto the form
5) Highlight the button in the designer
6) In the properties window, set the properties.

Hi Arjay,

Thanks for the Zipper, It took me a while to get thinks going.... even whith your program.
Will keep you guys updated,

regards,

ger

Hi all,

So far everything is working.
Still one minor detail.
the Pictures I use have round edges, and they do not cover the whole button.
So when the mouse pointer enters the button area the picture changes.
But the backcolor changes also, giving very annoying results.

So my quest, How do I turn of the backcolor change on mouse enter and mouse click.
Transparent does not do the trick.

Regards,

gerwin

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TBBW

So my quest, How do I turn of the backcolor change on mouse enter and mouse click.
Transparent does not do the trick.

---

Do the button images have transparent corners?

Yep, the corners are transparent and I use Zoom to place the image on the button.

regards.

Hi all,

To make life easier I changed the button control to a picturebox.
Does the same for me as I use three pictures for all the events.
To give you an idea, a dark picture when the 'button' is idle.
a light picture when the mouse is over the 'button'
and the flash picture when the button is clicked.

I'm using the code which was posted in the beginning of this thread.

But now I encounter the following situation;

Code:

---

private void pictureBox1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            FlashPicture = (PictureBox)sender;
            Thread FlashThePictureThread = new Thread(FlashThePicture);
            FlashThePictureThread.Start();
        }

void FlashThePicture()
        {
            BeginInvoke(new MethodInvoker(Performflash));
            Thread.Sleep(250);
            BeginInvoke(new MethodInvoker(Performflash));
            Thread.Sleep(250);
        }

void Performflash()
        {
            if ((FlashPicture.BackgroundImage == ImageB1) || (FlashPicture.BackgroundImage == ImageC1))
                FlashPicture.BackgroundImage = ImageA1;
            else
                FlashPicture.BackgroundImage = ImageB1;
        }

---

This gives the flash only, for the rest it does not do anything.

What I like is the following:

Code:

---

private void pictureBox1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            FlashPicture = (PictureBox)sender;
            Thread FlashThePictureThread = new Thread(FlashThePicture);
            FlashThePictureThread.Start();
           
            this.Hide();

            COD1 cod1 = new COD1();
            cod1.ShowDialog();

            this.Show();

        }

---

but this does not work.
(The next Dialog is called, the previous one is hidden, but there is no flash of the 'button')

Where do I go wrong.

regards,

Gerwin

By the way I downloaded "threading in C# from Joseph Albahari"

Hi all,

Solved all the 'problems' on the button change picture issues!!! (YES YES YES)
Will post the complete solution in the next couple of days, will be helpfull for a lot of us.

regards,

Gerwin