Splash Screen C++ Class using MFC

• Download MFC dialog sample application - 124.21 KB
• Download MFC single doc/view application - 181.52 KB
• Download source - 92.81 KB

Introduction

Every application needs an “about box” and some need a “splash screen” while loading. I created the class, CSplashWindow, to handle both. Most developers use the boring “about dialog” that is created automatically. As a consultant, I strive to create a professional product that looks good, is free from errors and is customized to the client. CSplashWindow satisfies these requirements by having a visually appealing client graphic and all the information drawn from the version strings. Gone are the problems of mismatched version numbers and forgetting to fill in the version strings. I use this class for programs from tiny dialog applets to complex applications that take a couple of minutes to load and initialize.

The class consists of two files, SplashWindow.h and SplashWindow.cpp. The class requires MFC. I wrote another article, Splash Screen C++ Class without MFC or .NET, that doesn't use MFC.

The class gets all the information to display the splash screen from a bitmap and the version strings in the resources. Therefore, you don't have to modify the splash screen every time the version changes.

The splash screen disappears when clicked on, a key is pressed, or the desired time has elapsed.

Using the Code

• Include SplashWindow.h and SplashWindow.cpp.
• Add version strings to the resources.
• Add the IDB_SPLASH bitmap to the resources.
• Add version.lib to the link libraries.

ShowSplashScreen(HWND pParentWnd, LPCTSTR statusMessage, int millisecondsToDisplay) can have zero to three parameters.

• pParentWnd - Parent window of splash screen
• statusMessage - String to display in status area of splash screen
• millisecondsToDisplay - Number of milliseconds before hiding splash screen

To show the splash screen during initialization, add CSplashWindow::ShowSplashScreen();:

#include SplashWindow.h

BOOL CSplashMfcDialogApp::InitInstance()
{
    AfxEnableControlContainer();

    CSplashWindow::ShowSplashScreen( NULL, NULL, 3000);

    // Standard initialization
    CSplashMfcDialogDlg dlg;
    m_pMainWnd = &dlg;
    int nResponse = dlg.DoModal();
    if (nResponse == IDOK)
    {
        // TODO: Place code here to handle when the dialog is
        //  dismissed with OK
    }
    else if (nResponse == IDCANCEL)
    {
        // TODO: Place code here to handle when the dialog is
        //  dismissed with Cancel
    }
    return FALSE;
}

Mouse clicks and keyboard presses have to be captured to dismiss the splash screen. I do this by using the class wizard to add the message, PreTranslateMessage, to the main application class. Insert CSplashWindow::PreTranslateAppMessage(pMsg) to let the class detect messages that dismiss the splash window.

BOOL CSplashMfcDialogApp::PreTranslateMessage(MSG* pMsg) 
{
    if (CSplashWindow::PreTranslateAppMessage(pMsg))
        return TRUE;
  
    return CWinApp::PreTranslateMessage(pMsg);
}

To show the about box, replace dlgAbout.DoModal() with CSplashWindow::ShowSplashScreen():

#include SplashWindow.h

void CSplashMfcDialogDlg::OnSysCommand(UINT nID, LPARAM lParam)
{
    if ((nID & 0xFFF0) == IDM_ABOUTBOX)
    {
        // replace About Dialog with Splash window
        CSplashWindow::ShowSplashScreen( this, "http://applehome.com/", 10000);
        //  CAboutDlg dlgAbout;
        //  dlgAbout.DoModal();
    }
    else
    {
        CDialog::OnSysCommand(nID, lParam);
    }
}

Under the Hood

Since I'm a consultant, I create a specialized bitmap for each client. I typically place the company logo and the application icon in the IDB_SPLASH bitmap. Depending on your artistic talent, you can make a very professional splash screen. The version strings are written on top of the bitmap.

There are 3 groupings of strings: Product Name, Body, and Status. The Body consists of one or more of the company name, version, copyright, and comment strings. I prefer the product name to be larger, with the multiple lines of the body smaller. I use Status only when the application is loading.

Each group has static variables that specify how the strings in that group are drawn:

• m_xxxVerticalOffset - empty space between the top of the bitmap and the first string
• m_xxxVerticalHeight - the maximum height of a group of strings
• m_xxxLeftMargin - the distance from the left side to the place strings
• m_xxxRightMargin - the distance from the right side to strings
• m_xxxFontName - the name of the font for strings
• m_xxxPointSize - the point size used for strings, (-1,-1) ==> Calculate point size
• m_xxxTextColor - the color used for strings

The body can have from 0 to 4 strings. Set the static display variables:

• m_displayCompanyName - true if displaying company name
• m_displayVersion - true if displaying version
• m_displayCopyright - true if displaying copyright
• m_displayComments - true if displaying comments

The CSplashScreen class is instantiated when CSplashScreen::ShowSplashScreen() is called. It is deleted when the timeout elapses, a key is pressed, or the mouse is clicked.

Points of Interest

I wrote this class a long time ago and have scarcely modified it since. Recently I created a very lightweight applet that didn't use MFC, and I wanted the splash screen. I bit the bullet and rewrote the class without using MFC, Splash Screen C++ Class without MFC or .NET. It is interesting to see how the code changes when using MFC. Download the source and you can examine how the identical functionality is handled with and without MFC.

History

• Date posted: April 23, 2009