c++ - Win32 programming question -

i have tab-based application windows, developing myself.

i add subtle gradient background of tab control. how go around doing this? best method me use?

i think implementing custom control takes space of tab control work, how draw gradient using gdi?

thanks in advanced.

to use gdi you'll need gradientfill function. can use gdi+ gradients. here's plain gdi example:

trivertex        vert[2] ; gradient_rect    grect; vert [0] .x      = 0; vert [0] .y      = 0; vert [0] .red    = 0x0000; vert [0] .green  = 0x0000; vert [0] .blue   = 0x0000; vert [0] .alpha  = 0x0000;  vert [1] .x      = 100; vert [1] .y      = 32;  vert [1] .red    = 0x0000; vert [1] .green  = 0x0000; vert [1] .blue   = 0xff00; vert [1] .alpha  = 0x0000;  grect.upperleft  = 0; grect.lowerright = 1; gradientfill(hdc,vert,2,&grect,1,gradient_fill_rect_h); 

as tab control, sub-class control , override non-client , client drawing handlers render gradient.

to sub class control, first create control , replace wndproc function:

oldwndproc = (wndproc)setwindowlongptr (hcontrol, gwlp_wndproc, (long_ptr)newwndproc); 

then, in new wndproc:

newwndproc (usual args) {   switch message   {   case paint:     draw gradient     return result    default:     return callwindowproc (oldwndproc, ..args..); <- important!   } }