How to load graphics files and display them in Visual C++

Note Microsoft Visual C++ 2008, Microsoft Visual C++ 2005, Microsoft Visual C++ 2003, and Microsoft Visual C++ .NET 2002 support both the managed code model that is provided by the Microsoft .NET Framework and the unmanaged native Microsoft Windows code model. The information in this article applies only to unmanaged Visual C++ code.

Loadpic.exe is a sample that shows how to load graphics files like .gif, .jpg, .bmp, .ico, .emf, .wmf, and displays them. To do this, use functionality built into the OleLoadPicture function. The OleLoadPicture function converts these different formats to an IPicture interface. We can then use the IPicture::Render function to display them.

Visual C++ 6.0

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Visual C++ .NET

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Release Date: June 25, 2002

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Aside from the IPicture::Render function, you can also display the picture using other functions. You can use the BitBlt function for bitmaps, or the PlayMetaFile function for metafiles. You can also extract the handle to the picture by calling the IPicture::get_Handle function. You can cast the handle to the appropriate type; that is, for example HBITMAP, HICON, and HMETAFILE. To determine what type of handle to cast it to, call the IPicture::get_Type function.