capture the minimize event?

[Static]

Is there a way to capture the minimize event and do something before it minimizes?

(I want to fade out the form...which I have code for)

[RobDog888]

Option Explicit
 
Private Sub Form_Resize()
    If Me.WindowState = vbMinimized Then
        'do domething
    End If
End Sub

[RhinoBull]

That would be after the fact, Rob, and what he wants is "before"...
As the easiest solution you might want to create your own titlebar (search through my posts for a sample project) so you can fully control what happends.

[RobDog888]

Then he will have to subclass the form and catch the WM_WINDOWPOSCHANGING or WM_SYSCOMMAND.

[RhinoBull]

Subclassing/Hooking could be another way (and perhaps better) but I'm not sure what message would that be - it could be SW_SHOWMINIMIZED but as I said "not sure"...

[RobDog888]

I double checked and the SW is a Show Window constant and not a Window Message Then WM designates the window messages.
There is no WM_MINIMIZE message so it should be either capturing the click of the minimize button/menu item or capture the WM_POSITIONCHANGING and parse out the parameters for the type or direction of the change?

[RobDog888]

Ok, I did a quick test and it is the WM_SYSCOMMAND message that gets the initial call when the user clicks on any button on the system menu or title bar buttons. The wParam contains the SC_MINIMIZE or &HF020& value. This is when to trap and handle your fading for optimum effeciency.

Note, the lParam contains the x and y form location values.

[RhinoBull]

There is also WM_COMMAND (= &H111) message as well so you need to try either.

[Static]

wow! a missed a ton just during lunch! lol

hmm.. Im thinking the easiest thing would be to create my own titlebar.. I already have enoungh subclassing going on I dont want to add even more

Thanks for the suggestions!

[Hack]

I'd like to revisit what RobDog888 initialially posted. While RhinoBull is correct that the resize event would be "after the fact", I think that because of the reason you want to capture it, it might actually be a kind of cool affect and it wouldn't involve subclassing. Try this and see what you think

Private Sub Form_Resize()
If Me.WindowState = vbMinimized Then
   Me.WindowState = vbNormal
   'call fade out routine
End If
End Sub

[Static]

oops.. I jumped the gun. I cant use my own titlebar.. I need the menus and the form needs to be resized.. so its back to subclassing. (of which I suck at)

so, i will be needing some direction.
What API's to use... etc... Thanks all!

[Static]

thanks hack.. will try

[Static]

well...

Static Faded As Boolean
If Me.WindowState = vbMinimized Then
    If Not Faded Then
        Me.WindowState = vbNormal
        Dim iX As Long
        For iX = 255 To 0 Step -5
            SetWindowTrans Me.hWnd, iX
        Next
        Faded = True
        Me.WindowState = vbMinimized
    End If
    Faded = False
    If mnuMinToTray.Checked = True Then Call GoSystemTray
    Exit Sub
End If

works.. but the window flashes noticably when it re-sets to vbNormal..
tried Lockwindowupdate but to no avail....

[Hack]

well...

Static Faded As Boolean
If Me.WindowState = vbMinimized Then
    If Not Faded Then
        Me.WindowState = vbNormal
        Dim iX As Long
        For iX = 255 To 0 Step -5
            SetWindowTrans Me.hWnd, iX
        Next
        Faded = True
        Me.WindowState = vbMinimized
    End If
    Faded = False
    If mnuMinToTray.Checked = True Then Call GoSystemTray
    Exit Sub
End If

works.. but the window flashes noticably when it re-sets to vbNormal..
tried Lockwindowupdate but to no avail....

Well, it doesn't flash it goes to the systray and pops back up. That is what I thought would be a kind of cool effect to precede your fadout routine. If you don't like it, then you can toss the whole idea. *shrugs*

[Static]

I have the app fade in on start up, fade in on return from systray.. and fade out on close.

I just want to fade out on min to the systray

[RhinoBull]

oops.. I jumped the gun. I cant use my own titlebar.. I need the menus and the form needs to be resized.. ...

You can have menus with your very own titlebar: the trick is to set form's Caption to empty string and ControlBox to False. And BTW form could still be resiable too.

Have a fun!

[Static]

well arent you the smart one! lol

now how do I put a "titlebar" of my own above the menu?

[RhinoBull]

Check this article from vbAccelerator.

[Static]

Cool rhino.. will check that out!

[RhinoBull]