GDI+ both wraps arcane API calls and extends them for much easier use.
Programmers no longer have to make do with the familiar but simplistic
VB 6.0 drawing model, nor do they have to dig down into the GDI API in
order to get any real work done. In GDI+, Microsoft has come up with a
complete, but still extensible, set of classes for all of the .NET
programmer¿s drawing needs. GDI+ requires different techniques than the
Windows GDI API, as it is completely stateless. ¿GDI+ Programming in C#
and VB .NET¿ starts out with an explanation of GDI+ and how it relates
to GDI. The book then dives deep into the GDI+ namespaces and classes.
The book begins with basic drawing in the early chapters and then
explains in an understandable manner more complex drawing techniques,
including paths, gradients, alpha blends, matrix operations, and
transformations. Later chapters cover how to work with bitmaps and other
images, as well as advanced drawing and printing techniques. The final
two chapters are devoted to useful projects that show the subject matter
of the previous chapters in real-world examples. Throughout ¿GDI+
Programming in C# and VB .NET¿, author Nick Symmonds not only explains
the different namespaces and classes relating to GDI+, but he also takes
the time to cover the best practices of graphics programming. Woven
throughout the book are numerous examples that tie together different
aspects of programming in .NET that teach programmers how to get the
best possible speed and efficiency out of their code. About the Author:
Nick Symmonds is a software engineer working for the Security and Safety
Solutions division of Ingersoll-Rand Corp. He currently works on the
software/hardware integration team, and the programs he has written are
used around the world. He has written articles for ¿Multilingual
Computing and Technology¿ magazine, and during his career he has
programmed in C, straight C++, ATL, and VB. He is now a staunch convert
to the .NET platform. Nick is also the author of ¿Internationalization
and Localization Using Microsoft .NET¿ from Apress.
