I'm making a .NET 3.5 app with a form that draws a partially transparent black background. I'm overriding OnPaintBackground to accomplish this:
protected override void OnPaintBackground( PaintEventArgs e )
{
using ( Brush brush = new SolidBrush( Color.FromArgb( 155, Color.Black ) ) )
{
e.Graphics.FillRectangle( brush, e.ClipRectangle );
}
}
It works, but occasionally the form draws over itself without clearing the screen, making the transparency darker than it should be. I've tried playing with Graphics.Flush()
and Graphics.Clear()
, but it either doesn't help or completely removes transparency. Any suggestions?
Edit: Here's what it looks like, after starting the app on the left, and after the form redraws itself a few times (in response to tabbing from one control to another) on the right:
Transparency Issue http://www.quicksnapper.com/files/5085/17725729384A10347269148_m.png
Edit 2: I was trying a few things out this morning and noticed that when the desktop behind the transparent portions change, it's not actually being redrawn. For example, if I open Task Manager and put it behind the window, you don't see it refreshing itself. This makes sense with what I've been seeing with the transparency levels. Is there a function to make Windows redraw the area behind your window?
Edit 3: I've tried changing a few properties on the form, but they all result in the form drawing non-transparent black:
this.AllowTransparency = true;
this.DoubleBuffered = true;
this.Opacity = .99;
I'm going to try creating a separate window for the transparent portion as overslacked mentioned, but any other ideas are still welcome.