.cur from resource file / memory stream

[Waxy]

i'm trying to add custom mouse icons to my app.
but i can't seem to do it.

currently, everything i find on the internet says this code works:

        Dim ms As New System.IO.MemoryStream(My.Resources.MouseCursor)
        Me.Cursor = New Cursor(ms)

but it gives me an error:

WITH PNG: (compile error)

Error	2	Overload resolution failed because no accessible 'New' can be called with these arguments:
    'Public Sub New(buffer() As Byte)': Value of type 'System.Drawing.Bitmap' cannot be converted to '1-dimensional array of Byte'.
    'Public Sub New(capacity As Integer)': Value of type 'System.Drawing.Bitmap' cannot be converted to 'Integer'.	E:\Users\John Doe\documents\visual studio 2010\Projects\UN Client\UN Client\Form1.vb	388	13	UNClient

WITH .CUR: (runtime error)

See the end of this message for details on invoking 
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.ArgumentException: Image format is not valid. The image file may be corrupted.
Parameter name: stream ---> System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException: Exception from HRESULT: 0x800A01E1 (CTL_E_INVALIDPICTURE)
   at System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.IPersistStream.Load(IStream pstm)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Cursor.LoadPicture(IStream stream)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---

if someone could explain to me how to use .cur or .png my.resources files as custom mouse cursors then it would be greatly appreciated.

[jmcilhinney]

If you want to create a Cursor from a resource then you have to have added a cursor to the resource in the first place, not an image. You need to use an application that can generate CUR files. You can just use regular image files like BMP, JPG or PNG. They are not cursors.

[Waxy]

jmc - i DO have it added as a resource. and set it to EMBEDED RESOURCE.

i added them in the formats of .cur and .png and neither work.


edit:

        Dim ms As New System.IO.MemoryStream(My.Resources.rCurAttack)

        Me.Cursor = New Cursor(ms)

rCurAttack is a real .cur file added in via the resources tab. properties changed to "Embedded Resource"

it produces the runtime error.

[jmcilhinney]

jmc - i DO have it added as a resource. and set it to EMBEDED RESOURCE.

i added them in the formats of .cur and .png and neither work.


edit:

        Dim ms As New System.IO.MemoryStream(My.Resources.rCurAttack)

        Me.Cursor = New Cursor(ms)

rCurAttack is a real .cur file added in via the resources tab. properties changed to "Embedded Resource"

it produces the runtime error.

And what is the data type of My.Resources.rCurAttack? Could it be that it's already type Cursor?

[Waxy]

it doesn't recognize it as a cursor.

 Me.Cursor = My.Resources.rCurAttack

Error	1	Value of type '1-dimensional array of Byte' cannot be converted to 'System.Windows.Forms.Cursor'.	E:\Users\John Doe\documents\visual studio 2010\Projects\UN Client\UN Client\Form1.vb	391	21	UNClient

that's why i was trying some tutorials and came out with that example poping up over and over again on the magic google.

are only certain cursor formats recognized? it's a 32x32 cursor.


EDIT:

attached: the cursor .cur and .png as zip
cursors..zip

[jmcilhinney]

OK then, so what happens when you execute the code that you posted in post #3?

[Waxy]

#3 produces run time error:

See the end of this message for details on invoking 
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.ArgumentException: Image format is not valid. The image file may be corrupted.
Parameter name: stream ---> System.Runtime.InteropServices.COMException: Exception from HRESULT: 0x800A01E1 (CTL_E_INVALIDPICTURE)
   at System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.IPersistStream.Load(IStream pstm)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Cursor.LoadPicture(IStream stream)
   --- End of inner exception stack trace ---

i just got done converting it to 24 bit (down from 32) and it produces the same error.

[jmcilhinney]

This is a bit of a guess but try setting the Position of the MemoryStream to zero before creating the Cursor.

[Waxy]

  Dim ms As New System.IO.MemoryStream(My.Resources.rCurAttack)
        ms.Position = 0
        Me.Cursor = New Cursor(ms)

error is the same.

cursor is attached in #5 (32 bit version)

[Waxy]

Found a solution that works.
it doesn't explain what's wrong with the .CUR file or code, but it does give me a working solution:
Use-Icons-for-cursors-not-CUR

not the slick result i wanted, but it does work.