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.
Splash Screen Example
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);
CSplashMfcDialogDlg dlg;
m_pMainWnd = &dlg;
int nResponse = dlg.DoModal();
if (nResponse == IDOK)
{
}
else if (nResponse == IDCANCEL)
{
}
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)
{
CSplashWindow::ShowSplashScreen( this, "http://applehome.com/", 10000);
}
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
I have been a software consultant at Apple Enterprises, http://applehome.com/, since 1981, a paid programmer since 1975 and a programmer since 1969 when I took my first programming class at U.C. Berkeley. I graduated with an EECS degree in 1975 after a 2 year hiatus in the US Marine Corps as a infantry machine gunner.
I started working when the original Intel 8080 microprocessor was announced. My first product was a wire bonder that had four 8080 microprocessors controlling high speed motors. Lately I have been using the TI MSP430, NXP LPC2300 and the Renesas SH4 microcontrollers.
I write code in assembly, C, C++ and Java and occasionally design a board when needed. Most of the time the code is system level, low level and drivers, but I do write applications. Most embedded devices usually have a PC controller application that I write. The code is used in Windows, Windows CE and proprietary operating systems. I use Visual Studio 2008, IAR and Keil IDEs. I even create single click installations, especially complex ones that require third party installs.
I have developed over 50 products.
I host the UC Berkeley Engineering Alumni Society (South Bay):
http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1851655
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/group.php?gid=57293762711
I live in Silicon Valley, play full court basketball once a week, work out at the gym during the week and hike with my wife on the weekend.