Nice fading in and out form effect

[samtheman]

Hi,

A while ago I designed a small subroutine that would allow me to fade forms in and out. The effect is very nice and adds a bit of sleekness to your application. There is also a C# version, this can be found in the C# codebank here

    Sub FormFade(ByVal FType)
        Select Case FType
            Case ("in")
                Dim FadeCount As Integer
                For FadeCount = 10 To 90 Step 10
                    Me.Opacity = FadeCount / 100
                    Me.Refresh()
                    Threading.Thread.Sleep(50)
                Next
            Case ("out")
                Dim FadeCount As Integer
                For FadeCount = 90 To 10 Step -10
                    Me.Opacity = FadeCount / 100
                    Me.Refresh()
                    Threading.Thread.Sleep(50)
                Next
        End Select
        Me.Opacity = 99

    End Sub

This subroutine can be called like this:

FormFade("in") for fading your form in
FormFade("out") for fading your form out

The form fade in can be implemented on your Form Load event handler like so:

  Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        FormFade("in")
    End Sub

The form fade out can be implemented on your Form Closing event handler as it will catch all attempts to close, not just ones you might add to your Command Button. This can be implemented like this:

    Private Sub Form1_FormClosing(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.FormClosingEventArgs) Handles Me.FormClosing
        FormFade("out")
    End Sub

Additional Information

This should work with all versions of .net

As you have seen I have set Me.Opacity = 99. This is for two reasons. One being that the fade in effect does not fully reach the 100/99% so the form does not look solid. The second is that if fading out with 100% opacity the form will glitch slightly. You will notice no difference between 99% and 100% opacity though.

I'd love to know what you think of this, yes it's not original, but for those looking for something like this, I think it is a good little script.

[JuggaloBrotha]

To be more specific the glitch happens between 0.96 and 100.0, so to avoid the form flicker thing, have it fade in from 0.0 to 0.95, then from 0.95 back to 0.0 when fading out. Also, when avoiding the form flicker and setting the opacity to 0.95 the form is semi-transparent still.

I'm working on a game that fades in when ran and fades out when closed, except I used an enumeration for the direction (In/Out) and a timer for a smoother effect.

Edit: This flicker thing doesn't happen in .Net 1.1

[JuggaloBrotha]

Here's how I do fading in and out using the form's opacity property and a Timer:

Option Explicit On
Option Strict On

Friend Class Form1

    Private m_UseFormFade As Boolean = False
    Private m_FadeSpeed As Integer = 30I

#Region " FormFade Stuff "
    Private m_FormFadeDir As FadeDir = FadeDir.FadeIn
    Private m_FormHasFadedOut As Boolean = False
    Private WithEvents m_Timer As Timer

    Private Enum FadeDir
        FadeIn = 0I
        FadeOut = 1I
    End Enum
#End Region
#Region " Main Form: FormClosing, Load, Shown "
    Private Sub Form1_FormClosing(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.FormClosingEventArgs) Handles Me.FormClosing
        If Not (m_Timer Is Nothing) AndAlso m_FormHasFadedOut = False Then
            e.Cancel = True
            m_Timer.Start()
        End If
    End Sub

    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
        If m_UseFormFade = True Then
            Me.Opacity = 0.0R
            m_Timer = New Timer()
            m_Timer.Interval = m_FadeSpeed
        End If
    End Sub

    Private Sub Form1_Shown(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Shown
        If Not (m_Timer Is Nothing) Then m_Timer.Start()
    End Sub
#End Region
#Region " FormFadeTimer "
    <System.Diagnostics.DebuggerStepThrough()> _
    Private Sub FormFadeTimer_Tick(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles m_Timer.Tick
        Select Case m_FormFadeDir
            Case FadeDir.FadeIn
                Me.Opacity += 0.05R
            Case Else
                Me.Opacity -= 0.05R
        End Select
        If Me.Opacity <= 0.0R OrElse Me.Opacity >= 1.0R Then
            m_Timer.Stop()
            If m_FormFadeDir = FadeDir.FadeIn Then
                m_FormFadeDir = FadeDir.FadeOut
                m_FormHasFadedOut = False
            Else
                m_FormHasFadedOut = True
                Me.Close()
            End If
        End If
    End Sub
#End Region

    Private Sub CloseButton_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles CloseButton.Click
        Me.Close()
    End Sub
End Class

This works for all versions of .Net and the .net 2.0 form flicker still happens with my code. Hopefully MS will fix that flicker in a future hotfix.

[ahostbr]

shouldnt this

Private WithEvents m_Timer As Timer

be this ?

Private WithEvents m_Timer As  New Timer

and how would i change the speed that it fades out in?

edit you change it in this line....
Me.Opacity -= 0.05R

i change it to
Me.Opacity += 0.15R

and it was alot faster, thank you

[JuggaloBrotha]

shouldnt this

Private WithEvents m_Timer As Timer

be this ?

Private WithEvents m_Timer As  New Timer

No, the form's Load event is what handles that. I have it instantiated in the Load event to make use of the 'm_UseFormFade' variable, which determines whether the fade happens or not (easy way to turn the fade feature on and off)

and how would i change the speed that it fades out in?

edit you change it in this line....
Me.Opacity -= 0.05R

i change it to
Me.Opacity += 0.15R

and it was alot faster, thank you

Or change the speed of the timer which would have it fade in / out much more smoothly. To change the speed of the timer change the 'm_FadeSpeed' variable, the smaller the number the faster the timer does the fade effect.

[.NetNinja]

Nice code, but why not use the AnimateWindow API?

    Public Declare Auto Function AnimateWindow Lib "user32" (ByVal hwnd As IntPtr, ByVal time As Integer, ByVal flags As Integer) As Boolean

    Public Enum AnimateStyles
        Slide = 262144
        Activate = 131072
        Blend = 524288
        Hide = 65536
        Center = 16
        HOR_Positive = 1
        HOR_Negative = 2
        VER_Positive = 4
        VER_Negative = 8
    End Enum
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        AnimateWindow(Me.Handle, 1000, AnimateStyles.HOR_Negative Or AnimateStyles.Blend)
    End Sub

[ahostbr]

Nice code, but why not use the AnimateWindow API?

    Public Declare Auto Function AnimateWindow Lib "user32" (ByVal hwnd As IntPtr, ByVal time As Integer, ByVal flags As Integer) As Boolean

    Public Enum AnimateStyles
        Slide = 262144
        Activate = 131072
        Blend = 524288
        Hide = 65536
        Center = 16
        HOR_Positive = 1
        HOR_Negative = 2
        VER_Positive = 4
        VER_Negative = 8
    End Enum
    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        AnimateWindow(Me.Handle, 1000, AnimateStyles.HOR_Negative Or AnimateStyles.Blend)
    End Sub

using .net 3.5 sp1 with visual studio 2008 pro SP1 that does nothing ...
any help please

[.NetNinja]

I just tested it on 3.5 SP1 VS2008 on windows xp and windows vista and it worked. Are you using that exact code or did you modify it any?

[ahostbr]

I just tested it on 3.5 SP1 VS2008 on windows xp and windows vista and it worked. Are you using that exact code or did you modify it any?

yes exact code... with a bran new blank form... idk what the problem could be... i also downloaded your animatewindow control... and cant seem to get that to work... maybe its my .net or something

[.NetNinja]

Shouldn't have anything to do with .Net. Its just a DLL call. Can you post your full form class?

[CimSlunt]

Im wanting to fade in a child form after button click on parent form, is this possible if so could i have a hint towards the code please

[.NetNinja]

Just do it like my previous post states:

    Public Declare Auto Function AnimateWindow Lib "user32" (ByVal hwnd As IntPtr, ByVal time As Integer, ByVal flags As Integer) As Boolean

    Public Enum AnimateStyles
        Slide = 262144
        Activate = 131072
        Blend = 524288
        Hide = 65536
        Center = 16
        HOR_Positive = 1
        HOR_Negative = 2
        VER_Positive = 4
        VER_Negative = 8
    End Enum
    Private Sub Button_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        AnimateWindow(ChildForm.Handle, 1000, AnimateStyles.HOR_Negative Or AnimateStyles.Blend)
        ChildForm.ShowDialog();
    End Sub

[CimSlunt]

Name "AnimateWindow" is not declared, Sorry im still new to VB im using 2008 if that helps.

[.NetNinja]

You have to declare it... You have to use all the code I posted.

If you are having an issue post your code and I will help you debug it.

[CimSlunt]

This is my current code, i think its a bit mssed up lol.

Public Class Form1

    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

    End Sub
    Sub FormFade(ByVal FType)
        Select Case FType
            Case ("in")
                Dim FadeCount As Integer
                For FadeCount = 10 To 90 Step 10
                    Me.Opacity = FadeCount / 100
                    Me.Refresh()
                    Threading.Thread.Sleep(50)
                Next
            Case ("out")
                Dim FadeCount As Integer
                For FadeCount = 90 To 10 Step -10
                    Me.Opacity = FadeCount / 100
                    Me.Refresh()
                    Threading.Thread.Sleep(50)
                Next
        End Select
        Me.Opacity = 99

    End Sub
    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        AnimateWindow(ChildForm1.Handle, 1000, AnimateStyles.HOR_Negative Or AnimateStyles.Blend)
        ChildForm1.ShowDialog();
    End Sub

    Public Enum AnimateStyles
        Slide = 262144
        Activate = 131072
        Blend = 524288
        Hide = 65536
        Center = 16
        HOR_Positive = 1
        HOR_Negative = 2
        VER_Positive = 4
        VER_Negative = 8
    End Enum
End Class

[.NetNinja]

You are missing the declaration for AnimateWindow.

Here is your code corrected:

Public Class Form1

    Public Declare Auto Function AnimateWindow Lib "user32" (ByVal hwnd As IntPtr, ByVal time As Integer, ByVal flags As Integer) As Boolean

    Public Enum AnimateStyles
        Slide = 262144
        Activate = 131072
        Blend = 524288
        Hide = 65536
        Center = 16
        HOR_Positive = 1
        HOR_Negative = 2
        VER_Positive = 4
        VER_Negative = 8
    End Enum

    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

    End Sub

    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        AnimateWindow(ChildForm1.Handle, 1000, AnimateStyles.HOR_Negative Or AnimateStyles.Blend)
        ChildForm1.ShowDialog();
    End Sub

End Class

[CimSlunt]

Sorry had to go out, only getting one error now and it saying charcter is invalid and underlining this symbol ;

EDIT: Deleted the symbol and now it works perfect, Thanks alot NetNinja

[JuggaloBrotha]

ChildForm1.ShowDialog(); <-- remove that, vb doesn't use semicolon line breaks

[.NetNinja]

ChildForm1.ShowDialog(); <-- remove that, vb doesn't use semicolon line breaks

Yeah sorry about that. I've been coding a C# app lately...

[CimSlunt]

You guys have been awesome, wonder if you could help me some more lol.

i have my child form fade in on button click from parent form, but when 2nd form is visible i have the application bar thing at the bottom (Start bar where all programmes are open) well i have 1 for each form, any idea if i can have one for both?

[.NetNinja]

There is an option in the properties bar for a form in Visual Studio called ShowInTaskbar set that to true or false.

[CimSlunt]

Yet again you sieze to amaze me, think im going to be a regular on this forum lol.

Ok Apps been working fine but then when i run a debug to try it out i get this warning.

A first chance exception of type 'System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception' occurred in System.Windows.Forms.dll

And my Fade in doesnt work :S what i done wrong now lol.

[.NetNinja]

Can you post your code?

[CimSlunt]

Blue bit is were the fault it.

Public Class ChildForm1
    Sub FormFade(ByVal FType)
        Select Case FType
            Case ("in")
                Dim FadeCount As Integer
                For FadeCount = 10 To 90 Step 10
                    Me.Opacity = FadeCount / 95
                    Me.Refresh()
                    Threading.Thread.Sleep(50)
                Next
            Case ("out")
                Dim FadeCount As Integer
                For FadeCount = 90 To 10 Step -10
                    Me.Opacity = FadeCount / 100
                    Me.Refresh()
                    Threading.Thread.Sleep(50)
                Next
        End Select
        Me.Opacity = 99

    End Sub

    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
        FormFade("in")
    End Sub
End Class

[.NetNinja]

Are you using the FormFade or are you using AnimateWindow API? The examples I gave you were for the AnimateWindow API. I will have to do some testing if you are going to use the FormFade sub.

[CimSlunt]

Im using the 1st code you gave me when you re-wrote it for me, it has been working fine then just stopped.

[.NetNinja]

The first code I gave you uses the AnimateWindow API. The code you posted uses samtheman code. So you shouldn't have the FormFade sub with my code.

[CimSlunt]

Sorry, just remembered i have 2 forms :P lol

This is the code i have in my parent form.

Public Class Form1

    Public Declare Auto Function AnimateWindow Lib "user32" (ByVal hwnd As IntPtr, ByVal time As Integer, ByVal flags As Integer) As Boolean

    Public Enum AnimateStyles
        Slide = 262144
        Activate = 131072
        Blend = 524288
        Hide = 65536
        Center = 16
        HOR_Positive = 1
        HOR_Negative = 2
        VER_Positive = 4
        VER_Negative = 8
    End Enum

    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

    End Sub

    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        AnimateWindow(ChildForm1.Handle, 1000, AnimateStyles.HOR_Negative Or AnimateStyles.Blend)
        ChildForm1.ShowDialog()
    End Sub

End Class

On the button click i wan t it to fade in form2 but atm its just appearing.

[.NetNinja]

I copied your code in a new project and it is working fine...

[CimSlunt]

I cant get it to fade in, it just appears, then Child form that is on button click.

[.NetNinja]

So if I understand you correctly, when you press the button, the child form is NOT fading in?

[CimSlunt]

Yes thats correct it just appears CenterParent.

[.NetNinja]

I ran the code you posted and the ChildForm blends correctly... Can you post your code again from your IDE to make sure I'm not missing something.

[CimSlunt]

Code from ParentForm

Public Class Form1

    Public Declare Auto Function AnimateWindow Lib "user32" (ByVal hwnd As IntPtr, ByVal time As Integer, ByVal flags As Integer) As Boolean

    Public Enum AnimateStyles
        Slide = 262144
        Activate = 131072
        Blend = 524288
        Hide = 65536
        Center = 16
        HOR_Positive = 1
        HOR_Negative = 2
        VER_Positive = 4
        VER_Negative = 8
    End Enum

    Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

    End Sub

    Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click
        AnimateWindow(ChildForm1.Handle, 1000, AnimateStyles.HOR_Negative Or AnimateStyles.Blend)
        ChildForm1.ShowDialog()
    End Sub

    Private Sub ToolTip1_Popup(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.Windows.Forms.PopupEventArgs)

    End Sub
End Class

Child Form

Public Class ChildForm1


    Private Sub ChildForm1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load

    End Sub
End Class

Aint done alot to child form lol

[.NetNinja]

Can you paste the designer code for childform? I used the above code and it worked fine.

[CimSlunt]

Thats all code i have.

It maybe just my Laptop lagging, Dont have very good spec. ill just continue with project and see how it goes at the end lol, thanks so much

[CimSlunt]

Another question, is it possible to fade a button out after clicked? if so how lol.

[JuggaloBrotha]

Another question, is it possible to fade a button out after clicked? if so how lol.

*waits for chris to jump in with his WPF bandwagon*

Fading a single control on the form is going to be extremely tricky, winforms wasn't designed with that in mind. WPF on the other hand has all of those things in mind.

[CimSlunt]

How about just having the button disappear on click then lol

[JuggaloBrotha]

Button.Visible = False 'To hide it