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I'm wondering about that many new applications, I think most built in WPF, has this really cool Windows Aero Glass interfaces.

For example Seesmic or the upcoming Firefox 3.7 http://crenk.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/firefox3.7.jpg
(source: crenk.com)

Searching in the internet most time it looks like you need a hack to realize this. But seriously: I don't think big software development teams use hacks to roll out their huge used products.

So my question is: Windows Aero Glass Areas - How to do?

Is it only possible with a hack?

Maybe it's just one property, i don't know. I'm WinForms developer so I never tested out WPF. But my Google search didn't look like It is easier with WPF.

Glorfindel
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René Stalder
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1 Answers1

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To have Aero glass, you need to use the Desktop Window Manager. It is a Win32 DLL, so you need to P/Invoke it. Articles on how to do this are all over the Internet, ex. Link Using P/Invoke is definitely not a hack.

Glorfindel
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Daniel Rose
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    You just gave me an idea for a bumper-sticker/t-shirt: "It's Not a Hack, It's an Interface". – MusiGenesis Apr 17 '10 at 13:54
  • Yeah, maybe a stupid question for you, guys. But I'm wondering why this isn't implemented as a form property or something else. Thanks anyway. – René Stalder Apr 17 '10 at 13:58
  • Well, for whatever reason Microsoft didn't include the DWM methods as "native WPF" (now there's an oxymoron) methods. Since they will check effort/benefit before adding such things to the code, who knows when there will be a WPF DWM? – Daniel Rose Apr 17 '10 at 14:16
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    My theory is that Microsoft is sensibly trying to keep software written for Windows separate from whatever flavor-of-the-month UI bells-and-whistles decorative crap they're trying to copy off of Apple at the moment. – MusiGenesis Apr 17 '10 at 14:43
  • Coming up next in Windows 7: the windows will look like they're floating over a reflective surface! Ooh! – MusiGenesis Apr 17 '10 at 14:45
  • Or perhaps spinning 3D-cubes... with transparent desktops on each face. – Daniel Rose Apr 17 '10 at 15:56
  • @DanielRose: The link you provided gives me a 403 Forbidden – Tom Lint Dec 09 '12 at 15:04