Simple Animation for your Windows Forms or Controls using C#.NET

• Download sample project - 179.2 KB

Introduction

There are a lot of techniques for bringing animation in your Windows application - simple and complex techniques. Here, I can explain a simple technique for giving animation or moving effects for your Windows Forms or any other controls.

Using the Code

Follow these steps:

1. Create a solution (e.g.: SimpleAnimation)
2. Place your controls on it:
   e.g.:
• Split Container - scnrMain
• Buttons - btnAnimation1, btnAnimation2, btnReset, btnQuit
• Panel - pnlMain
3. Add a timer control (e.g.: tmrMain)
4. Write your code as follows:

   //frmMain
   // 
   
   using System;
   using System.Collections.Generic;
   using System.ComponentModel;
   using System.Data;
   using System.Drawing;
   using System.Linq;
   using System.Text;
   using System.Windows.Forms;
   
   namespace SimpleAnimation
   {
       public partial class frmMain : Form
       {
   //
   //declares variables used in this class
   //
           int scnrWidth;
           int scnrHeight;
           int pnlWidth;
           int pnlHeight;
   
           public frmMain()
           {
               InitializeComponent();
           }
   //
   //allocate values to variables on Load event
   //
           public void frmMain_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
           {
               pnlMain.Width = 0;
               pnlMain.Height = 0;
   
               scnrWidth = scnrMain.Panel2.Width;
               scnrHeight = scnrMain.Panel2.Height;
               pnlWidth = pnlMain.Width;
               pnlHeight = pnlMain.Height;
           }
   //
   //timer control activated on click event of button Animation 1 - first option
   //
           private void btnAnimation1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
           {
               tmrMain.Enabled = true;
               btnAnimation1.Enabled = false;
               btnAnimation2.Enabled = false;
           }
   //
   //when timer activated, the width and height of panel increased using a while loop
   //
           private void tmrMain_Tick(object sender, EventArgs e)
           {
               while(pnlWidth < scnrWidth || pnlHeight < scnrHeight)
               {
                   if (pnlMain.Width < scnrWidth)
                   {
                       pnlMain.Width = pnlWidth + 1;
                       pnlWidth++;
                   }
                   if (pnlMain.Height < scnrHeight)
                   {
                       pnlMain.Height = pnlHeight + 1;
                       pnlHeight++;
                   }
                   break;
               }
           }
   //
   //this is another way to increase panel width and height using while loop - second option
   //
           private void btnAnimation2_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
           {
               pnlMain.Height = scnrHeight;
               while (pnlMain.Width < scnrWidth)
               {
                   pnlMain.Width++;
               }
               btnAnimation2.Enabled = false;
               btnAnimation2.Enabled = false;
           }
   //
   //re-allocate values to variables and properties of controls
   //
           private void btnReset_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
           {
               pnlMain.Width = 0;
               pnlMain.Height = 0;
   
               scnrWidth = scnrMain.Panel2.Width;
               scnrHeight = scnrMain.Panel2.Height;
               pnlWidth = pnlMain.Width;
               pnlHeight = pnlMain.Height;
               btnAnimation1.Enabled = true;
               btnAnimation2.Enabled = true;
               tmrMain.Enabled = false;
           }
   //
   //following lines of code will give your form a 
   //upward scrolling effect - by decreasing height of form
   //
           private void btnQuitApp_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
           {
               while (this.Height>60)
               {
                   this.Height--;
               }
               Application.Exit();
           }
       }
   }
   
   //End of code. 

The sample project will be as shown in Figure 1:

Thank you for using my tip.

Enjoy programming...