[RESOLVED] Problem with form capture

I am having trouble with a screen save. Basically this part of code modifies some labels and pictures, takes a screen capture of the Form2 and places the screen capture image into picFrmMain. The issue is (I think) in FunQuestionOne, as you can see I change the labels around and then call the function GetFormImage but for some reason when I get the image it is without any of the changes to the label. I have a button that calls GetFormImage and it works fine but for some reason FunQuestionOne seems to be initiating the GetFormImage function before the labels are finished.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Code:

---

‘In Form2 code
    Private Sub FunQuestionOne()
        picYes.Visible = False
        picNo.Visible = False
        lbltQuestion.Visible = True

        lblQuestion.Text = "MAIN QUESTION:..."
        editbuttoncontrols(pic1, 3, 1, 8)
        editlabelcontrols(lbl1, "ANSWER1", 20, 2, 4, 9)

        editbuttoncontrols(pic2, 3, 1, 12)
        editlabelcontrols(lbl2, "ANSWER2", 20, 2, 4, 13)


        frmMain.GetFormImage()
    End Sub

‘In form1
Public Sub GetFormImage()
        Dim g As Graphics = SecondForm.CreateGraphics()
        Dim s As Size = SecondForm.Size
        formImage = New Bitmap(s.Width, s.Height, g)
        Dim mg As Graphics = Graphics.FromImage(formImage)
        Dim dc1 As IntPtr = g.GetHdc
        Dim dc2 As IntPtr = mg.GetHdc
        ' added code to compute and capture the form
        ' title bar and borders
        Dim widthDiff As Integer = _
          (SecondForm.Width - SecondForm.ClientRectangle.Width)
        Dim heightDiff As Integer = _
          (SecondForm.Height - SecondForm.ClientRectangle.Height)
        Dim borderSize As Integer = 0 'widthDiff \ 2
        Dim heightTitleBar As Integer = heightDiff - borderSize
        BitBlt(dc2, 0, 0, _
          SecondForm.ClientRectangle.Width + widthDiff, _
          SecondForm.ClientRectangle.Height + heightDiff, dc1, _
          0 - borderSize, 0 - heightTitleBar, 13369376)

        g.ReleaseHdc(dc1)
        mg.ReleaseHdc(dc2)


        picFrmMain.Image = New System.Drawing.Bitmap(formImage)
    End Sub

---

Hi boogieoompa,

It might help to put Me.Refresh after editing the labels and before capturing the form. That makes sure any changes to the controls are painted before you capture it.

By the way, if you are using VB2005 or later, you could use the Form.DrawToBitmap method to get a snapshot of the form. It captures the form complete with controls and border. For example:

vb.net Code:

Private Sub GetFormImage()
   Dim bmp As New Bitmap(SecondForm.Width, SecondForm.Height)
   SecondForm.DrawToBitmap(bmp, New Rectangle(0, 0, bmp.Width, bmp.Height))
   picFrmMain.Image = bmp
End Sub

all the best, BB

Thanks a bunch the refresh thing worked :-)