How do I make TEXT/Numbers translucent

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I'd like to write vb.net application that is similar to TransClock. Basically a digital clock that displays only the time, synced with the system clock. The display can change the opacity of the numbers from fully visible to invisible, with the numbers being translucent in between, along with this the form is not visible. I've played around with the opacity setting in a form, but that doesn't appear to be the solution. Can this be done in VB or C#?

Thanks

Posted 17-May-12 4:56am

allanblackford

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fjdiewornncalwe · Answer 1 · 2012-05-17T05:16:00

Solution 1

Check out some of these[^] links.

~~How to: Create Transparent Windows Forms~~[^] ~~looks promising~~.

XparentFormsCS[^]

Posted 17-May-12 5:16am

fjdiewornncalwe

Updated 17-May-12 8:43am

v2

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allanblackford 17-May-12 14:36pm

I've played around with the opacity of the form. The problem with that is when you adjust the opacity of the form in order to adjust the opacity of the text, the form becomes visible, which is something I don't want. I've read some about using bitmap with opaque brush, but not sure if that would work and keep up with the system time. In other words the text will not be static.

fjdiewornncalwe 17-May-12 14:44pm

Please see my updated answer. I pasted the wrong link down. The one I put uses opacity and is exactly what you don't want... Oops and sorry.

Maciej Los 18-May-12 10:36am

Good link, my 5!

miwuawen · Answer 2 · 2012-05-17T22:33:00

Solution 2

You can use gdi + to draw a translucent background, the words and numbers on top

Posted 17-May-12 22:33pm

miwuawen