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https://github.com/joelumbley/time
A simple Windows application that displays the current local time. The application utilizes optimized rendering techniques to ensure smooth updates and an aesthetically pleasing user interface.
https://github.com/joelumbley/time
bufferedgraphics graphics real-time time-display vb-net windows-forms
Last synced: about 1 month ago
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A simple Windows application that displays the current local time. The application utilizes optimized rendering techniques to ensure smooth updates and an aesthetically pleasing user interface.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/joelumbley/time
- Owner: JoeLumbley
- License: mit
- Created: 2024-11-14T05:19:33.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2024-11-14T06:24:05.000Z (about 2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2024-11-14T06:27:39.015Z (about 2 months ago)
- Topics: bufferedgraphics, graphics, real-time, time-display, vb-net, windows-forms
- Language: Visual Basic .NET
- Homepage:
- Size: 17.6 KB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- License: LICENSE.txt
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README
# Time🕒
A simple Windows application that displays the current local time.
The application utilizes optimized rendering techniques to ensure smooth updates and an aesthetically pleasing user interface.
Features
- Real-time display of the current time.
- Responsive design that adjusts font size and position based on the window size.
- Utilizes buffered graphics for improved performance and visual quality.
---
### Code Walkthrough
#### 1. **Class Declaration**
```vb
Public Class Form1
```
This line defines a new class named `Form1`. In Windows Forms applications, a class represents a window or form.
#### 2. **Variable Declarations**
```vb
Private Context As BufferedGraphicsContext
Private Buffer As BufferedGraphics
Private DisplayText As String
Private DisplayFont As New Font("Segoe UI", 12, FontStyle.Regular)
Private DisplayFontSize As Single
Private DisplayPosition As New Point(100, 0)
```
- **Context**: Manages the buffered graphics.
- **Buffer**: Holds the graphics that will be drawn to the screen.
- **DisplayText**: Stores the current time as a string.
- **DisplayFont**: Defines the font used to display the time.
- **DisplayFontSize**: Stores the size of the font, which will change based on the window size.
- **DisplayPosition**: Determines where the time will be drawn on the form.
#### 3. **Form Load Event**
```vb
Private Sub Form1_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles MyBase.Load
InitializeForm()
InitializeBuffer()
Timer1.Interval = 20
Timer1.Enabled = True
Debug.Print($"Program running... {Now.ToShortTimeString()}")
End Sub
```
- This method runs when the form loads.
- **InitializeForm()**: Sets up the form's appearance and properties.
- **InitializeBuffer()**: Prepares the graphics buffer.
- **Timer1.Interval = 20**: Sets the timer to tick every 20 milliseconds.
- **Timer1.Enabled = True**: Starts the timer, which triggers the `Timer1_Tick` event.
- **Debug.Print**: Outputs a message to the debug console.
#### 4. **Timer Tick Event**
```vb
Private Sub Timer1_Tick(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Timer1.Tick
DisplayText = Now.ToShortTimeString()
Refresh() ' Calls OnPaint Sub
End Sub
```
- This method runs every time the timer ticks.
- **DisplayText**: Updates to the current time.
- **Refresh()**: Triggers the form to redraw itself, calling the `OnPaint` method.
#### 5. **Form Resize Event**
```vb
Private Sub Form1_Resize(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Resize
DisplayFontSize = ClientRectangle.Width \ 12
DisplayFont = New Font("Segoe UI", DisplayFontSize, FontStyle.Regular)
DisplayPosition.X = ClientRectangle.Width \ 2
DisplayPosition.Y = ClientRectangle.Height \ 2
If Buffer IsNot Nothing Then Buffer.Dispose()
Buffer = Nothing
End Sub
```
- This method runs when the form is resized.
- **DisplayFontSize**: Adjusts the font size based on the form's width.
- **DisplayPosition**: Centers the time display in the form.
- **Buffer.Dispose()**: Cleans up the existing buffer to prepare for a new one.
#### 6. **OnPaint Method**
```vb
Protected Overrides Sub OnPaint(ByVal e As PaintEventArgs)
If Buffer Is Nothing Then Buffer = Context.Allocate(e.Graphics, ClientRectangle)
DrawFrame()
Buffer.Render(e.Graphics)
End Sub
```
- This method is called when the form needs to be redrawn.
- **Buffer Allocation**: Allocates graphics if it hasn't been done yet.
- **DrawFrame()**: Calls a method to draw the current time.
- **Buffer.Render**: Draws the buffer content to the screen.
#### 7. **DrawFrame Method**
```vb
Private Sub DrawFrame()
If Buffer IsNot Nothing Then
Try
With Buffer.Graphics
.CompositingMode = Drawing2D.CompositingMode.SourceOver
.TextRenderingHint = Drawing.Text.TextRenderingHint.AntiAlias
.SmoothingMode = Drawing2D.SmoothingMode.HighQuality
.PixelOffsetMode = Drawing2D.PixelOffsetMode.None
.CompositingQuality = Drawing2D.CompositingQuality.HighQuality
.Clear(Color.Black)
.DrawString(DisplayText, DisplayFont, Brushes.White, DisplayPosition, AlineCenterMiddle)
End With
Catch ex As Exception
Debug.Print("Draw error: " & ex.Message)
End Try
Else
Debug.Print("Buffer is not initialized.")
End If
End Sub
```
- This method draws the current time onto the buffer.
- **Graphics Settings**: Sets various drawing quality settings.
- **Clear(Color.Black)**: Clears the buffer with a black background.
- **DrawString**: Draws the time string in white at the specified position.
- **Error Handling**: Catches any errors during drawing and prints them to the debug console.
#### 8. **InitializeForm Method**
```vb
Private Sub InitializeForm()
CenterToScreen()
SetStyle(ControlStyles.UserPaint, True)
SetStyle(ControlStyles.OptimizedDoubleBuffer, True)
SetStyle(ControlStyles.AllPaintingInWmPaint, True)
Text = "Time🕒 - Code with Joe"
Me.WindowState = FormWindowState.Maximized
End Sub
```
- This method sets up the form's initial properties.
- **CenterToScreen()**: Centers the form on the screen.
- **SetStyle**: Configures the form to use double buffering for smoother rendering.
- **Text**: Sets the title of the window.
- **WindowState**: Maximizes the form when it opens.
#### 9. **InitializeBuffer Method**
```vb
Private Sub InitializeBuffer()
Context = BufferedGraphicsManager.Current
Context.MaximumBuffer = Screen.PrimaryScreen.WorkingArea.Size
Buffer = Context.Allocate(CreateGraphics(), ClientRectangle)
End Sub
```
- This method initializes the graphics buffer.
- **BufferedGraphicsManager.Current**: Gets the current graphics manager.
- **MaximumBuffer**: Sets the maximum buffer size.
- **Allocate**: Allocates the buffer for drawing.
This application uses Windows Forms to create a simple clock that updates every 20 milliseconds. It utilizes buffered graphics for smooth rendering and adjusts the display based on the size of the window.