[RESOLVED] [2005] mdi bg

[3dmaker]

I am creating a program which has a main MDI parent. I want to have a cool background image as a background. But if I put a picutrebox on the MDI parent, it like leeks through all the MDI childs, causing it so I can't even see my MDI child forms. Is there a way to bypass this?

[Kasracer]

The point of an MDI application is that the parent is an empty container waiting for child forms. I don't think you can set any kind of background inside of it unless you change your deisng. Perhaps use only 1 form and instead of child forms, use user controls.

[jmcilhinney]

When you set the IsMdiContainer property of a form to true an MdiClient control is added to your form. This is the grey area that you can see and it is what hosts the child forms, not the parent form itself. You are not provided an explicit reference to this MdiClient control because you are not supposed to touch it. If you place a PictureBox on your form it doesn't "leak" through anything. It is physically sitting on top of the child forms in the z-order. If you call SendToBack on the PictureBox then it will drop to the bottom of the z-order and will be hidden behind the MdiClient. If you want to provide a background for the client area of the parent form then you need to get a reference to the MdiClient control, which can only be done at run time, e.g.

Private Sub Form1_Load(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
    For Each ctl As Control In Me.Controls
        If TypeOf ctl Is MdiClient Then
            ctl.BackColor = Color.Red
            Exit For
        End If
    Next
End Sub

[3dmaker]

Thanks the code works...!

[Kasracer]

Good info jmcilhinney. I never knew that.

I tried giving you rep but it still says I need to spread it around more... weird I've given a ton of it out too! Bah!