I would to create an application that is based on windows forms and uses custom skins. Most of the skins are bitmaps which i slice to 9 parts, so I can draw by 9 Graphics.DrawImage() calls a nice boxes/panels skinned. The problem starts when the application getting looking more like other skinned applications. When everything is visually done, the porblem is – Performance. I have also skinned windows forms that has a MDI Container panel with custom background image. When I drag such a form, screen is blinking, cluttering – generally low FPS occuring.
What can I do to write skinned, windows forms application, that have fast GUI? (I will plan not to use WPF) Thanks in advance for replies.
Graphics.DrawImage() does alot more than simply draw the image, you could P/Invoke BitBlt instead to greatly improve performance.
See for instance http://www.codeproject.com/KB/GDI-plus/flicker_free.aspx