How would I load a PNG image using Win32/GDI (no GDI+ if possible)?

Question

Is it possible to load a PNG from a file into an HBITMAP using Win32 GDI functions? If not, what would be the lightest solution without using external libraries (like libpn

Answer 1

There is no need to use Windows Imaging Component, GDI+ or PNG library. You can use Icon functionality.

1. Add new icon (ICO_PNG) to VC project resources with custom Width and Height (Resource Editor->Image->New Image Type). Copy Your png image here and use Fill Tool+transparent color to make icon transparent.

2. Add Picture Control (IDC_PNG) to Your dialog (Type = Owner draw).

3. Dialog procedure code:

switch (msg)
{
    ...

    case WM_DRAWITEM:
    {
        LPDRAWITEMSTRUCT pDIS = (LPDRAWITEMSTRUCT)lParam;
        if (pDIS->CtlID == IDC_PNG)
        {
            HICON hIcon = (HICON)LoadImage(GetModuleHandle(0), MAKEINTRESOURCE(ICO_LOGO), IMAGE_ICON, 0, 0, LR_LOADTRANSPARENT); 
            DrawIconEx(pDIS->hDC, 0, 0, hIcon, 0, 0, 0, NULL, DI_NORMAL);
            DestroyIcon(hIcon);
            return TRUE;
        }
    }
}