Chapter 4. Windows GDI, Controls, and Last-Minute Gift Ideas

"Compuuuuterrr?"

—Scotty, Star Trek IV

This is the last chapter on pure Windows programming. Thank the gods! Anyway, we're going to cover more on using the Graphics Device Interface. Stuff like drawing pixels, lines, and simple shapes. Then we'll touch on timing and finish off with Windows' child controls. Finally, we'll take everything and create our first shot at the T3D Game Console template application that we'll use throughout the remainder of the book as a starting point for all demos. Here's a list of the main topics:

• Advanced GDI programming, pens, brushes, and rendering

• Child controls

• System timing functions

• Sending messages

• Getting information

• The T3D Game Console