Member Avatar for "ICode"

These days, as we all know, graphics is probably the most important thing.
I made a program using C# and the only graphics im using is that of WFA, but i want to apply EXTREME graphics to it, like that of windows media center, or something like that.

What would you recommend?

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Brief answer up front: for a modern, “extreme” desktop UI in C# use WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation). WPF is vector‑based, XAML driven, supports hardware‑accelerated rendering, built‑in animation/storyboards and rich templating — exactly the features needed to build Media‑Center or Cooliris‑style interfaces. This is the path pointed toward and it’s the recommended starting point. (learn.microsoft.com)

If the app is new, create a WPF project, learn XAML and the MVVM pattern, and prototype the screen transitions and animations as XAML Storyboards. If you have an existing WinForms (WFA) app, you can migrate gradually: pick the heavy visual areas, implement them as WPF UserControls and host them inside your WinForms UI using ElementHost (or host WinForms inside WPF with WindowsFormsHost when you flip the app). That hybrid route is common and supported by .NET. (learn.microsoft.com)

For truly GPU‑heavy scenes (smooth particle systems, 3D, shaders) WPF sits on DirectX and you can interop with native Direct3D via D3DImage or use a managed DirectX binding from C#. D3DImage lets you show Direct3D content in WPF but has performance caveats; for lower‑level control look at maintained .NET bindings (for example Vortice.Windows) or a dedicated engine/renderer if you need raw performance. For older C++ engines like OGRE there have been .NET wrappers (MOGRE) historically — check the current project status before committing. (learn.microsoft.com)

Quick practical tips and checks: verify the machine’s WPF rendering tier (software vs GPU), freeze Freezable resources (Brushes/Geometries) when they’re static, prefer DrawingVisual/Drawing objects for lots of lightweight rendered elements, and avoid excessive per‑frame allocations. Example check for the rendering tier:

int tier = (System.Windows.Media.RenderCapability.Tier >> 16);
Console.WriteLine("WPF rendering tier: " + tier);

These practices will keep frame rates up as you add heavy visuals. (learn.microsoft.com)

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Member Avatar for kvprajapati

>What would you recommend?

Windows Presentation Framework.

Member Avatar for ddanbe

>I made a program using C# and the only graphics im using is that of WFA, but i want to apply EXTREME graphics
Show your code.
What is WFA?
What is EXTREME graphics?
I know a bit what WPF is as adatapost proposed to you.

commented: I guess... WorkFlow Automation. +9
Member Avatar for "ICode"

@: adatapost
Does WPF really do that much???
because i dont know how to use it, could you recommend a good book for that!

@: ddanbe
WFA - Windows Form Application. Its an extremely simple way to produce an GUI.
By EXTREME graphics i mean that of windows media center, or that of cooliris,...,smething like that.
And the code of which i want to apply the graphics to hasnt been written on the comp yet, ... , its been written mentally.
althought i do have other code which i can test the graphics with.

i downloaded MyGUI, but i think thats only for C++, and while im still studying it, i dont have a great idea about what to include(i.e #include ???), all i know is <string> and <iostream>. i havent found a book that tells me how to use other librarys yet.

i need graphics!

p.s does Ogre work with C#??

Member Avatar for ddanbe

I think Windows Presentation Foundation as adatapost suggested is the way for you to go. Look on Amazon and search for WPF you will find numerous books on the subject.

Member Avatar for "ICode"

hmmmmmmmmm...k...kol....i will.....thanks

Member Avatar for privatevoid

FYI:

When creating graphics in a Windows Forms App by default you use GDI+. It's not normally called WFA hence ddanbe's confusion.

You can look at using either WPF or DirectX depending on the requirements you have. googleing either will give alot of tutorials and furthur information.

Member Avatar for "ICode"

ah...KOL...THANKS MAN!....yea, i will!!!
appreciate the post

Member Avatar for kvprajapati

Please mark this thread as solved if you have found an answer to your question and good luck!

Member Avatar for "ICode"

lol....k....although it isnt the answer im looking for....it'll get me where i want to go.....

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