Visual Basic > Control Special Effects

How to draw 3D offset bevels around controls.

How to draw 3D offset bevels around controls.

'Note: This has only been tested with VB 3 and VB 4-16, if you convert

'Here's a routine for 3D offset bevels on controls.

Sub MakeIt3D (Ctrl As Control, nBevel%, nSpace%, bInset%)
 
'Makes the passed control appear 3D.
 
'Looks best when background of form or container is light gray.

'Parameters:
' Ctrl    = apply 3D look to control name
' nBevel% = bevel width (pixels)
' nSpace% = surround distance from control (pixels)
' bInset% = True is 3D inset border
'           False is 3D outset border

PixX% = Screen.TwipsPerPixelX
PixY% = Screen.TwipsPerPixelY

CTop% = Ctrl.Top - PixX%
CLft% = Ctrl.Left - PixY%
CRgt% = Ctrl.Left + Ctrl.Width
CBtm% = Ctrl.Top + Ctrl.Height

' Color used below:
' dark gray = &H808080
' white = &HFFFFFF

If bInset% Then  'recessed border

For i% = nSpace% To (nBevel% + nSpace% - 1)
   AddX% = i% * PixX%
   AddY% = i% * PixY%
   Ctrl.Parent.Line (CLft% - AddX%, CTop% - AddY%)-(CRgt% + AddX%, CTop% - AddY%), 
&H808080
   Ctrl.Parent.Line (CLft% - AddX%, CTop% - AddY%)-(CLft% - AddX%, CBtm% + AddY%), 
&H808080
   Ctrl.Parent.Line (CLft% - AddX%, CBtm% + AddY%)-(CRgt% + AddX% + PixX%, CBtm% + 
AddY%), &HFFFFFF
   Ctrl.Parent.Line (CRgt% + AddX%, CTop% - AddY%)-(CRgt% + AddX%, CBtm% + AddY%), 
&HFFFFFF
Next

Else 'raised border

For i% = nSpace% To (nBevel% + nSpace% - 1)
   AddX% = i% * PixX%
   AddY% = i% * PixY%
   Ctrl.Parent.Line (CRgt% + AddX%, CBtm% + AddY%)-(CRgt% + AddX%, CTop% - AddY%), 
&H808080
   Ctrl.Parent.Line (CRgt% + AddX%, CBtm% + AddY%)-(CLft% - AddX%, CBtm% + AddY%), 
&H808080
   Ctrl.Parent.Line (CRgt% + AddX%, CTop% - AddY%)-(CLft% - AddX% - PixX%, CTop% - 
AddY%), &HFFFFFF
   Ctrl.Parent.Line (CLft% - AddX%, CBtm% + AddY%)-(CLft% - AddX%, CTop% - AddY%), 
&HFFFFFF
Next

End If

End Sub


'Example: 

'In the form's Paint event:

    MakeIt3D Text1, 1, 0, True