Drawing a Transparent Bitmap using Windows API

Using win32 api , you would use Bitblt , using a graphics API , there is much to cover

Cool!

there is a technique called "masking", which blits a "mask" (black and white version of the image), and then the image itself... this gives the effect you want.

Can you explain more about this masking in terms of code. Please tell me what function I would call and what parameters I would pass to it.

well, although my memory sucks, i''ll try:

look up BitBlt() on MSDN or a win32 API help file or something, it will explain the arguments to pass to the function, and what they do.

now, what you need to get a transparent sprite is the image (any transparent part must be black for this method to work) and a copy of the image that is black and white. anything you want to be drawn from this image, you make black; any parts that should be transparent you make white.

now, you bitblt the mask (black and white image) wherever you want the sprite, using the AND raster-op (these are explained in the documents); this "cuts out" a hole for your non-transparent parts without harming the rest of the background. then, you bitblt the color image directly over that with the OR raster-op; this combines the image with the background.

HTH.

There is a good example of what krez is talking about at Winprog.org