Create Star Shaped Window | CodeGuru

Create Star Shaped Window

The following code allows a programmer to create any window shape they so desire. It is currently set to create a hollow star window that can be clicked through the centre of. The window can be dragged around by the mouse and the window is closed by double clicking the form. ‘************************************************************ ‘Insert the following […]

Written By
CodeGuru Staff
CodeGuru Staff
Jan 28, 2004
1 minute read
CodeGuru content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

The following code allows a programmer to create any window shape they so desire. It is currently set to create a hollow star window that can be clicked through the centre of. The window can be dragged around by the mouse and the window is closed by double clicking the form.

'************************************************************
'Insert the following code into a form with 1 command button
'on it
'************************************************************
Dim down As Boolean
Dim t As Integer '
Dim w As Integer
'****************************************************************
' Name: Create Star Shaped Window
' Description: Can Change The Shape of any form and allows the user
' to drag it around the screen. It can also be clicked through
' the centre of the window!
'
' By: Andrew Monis
'
' Inputs:Look Below
' Returns:None
' Assumes:None
' Side Effects:The Border and Title Bar Disappears. Therefore,
' the programmer has to take care to position buttons etc
' correctly.
'
' Code provided by Andrew Monis 'as is', without
' warranties as to performance, fitness, merchantability,
' and any other warranty (whether expressed or implied).
'****************************************************************

Private Sub Form_Load()
  down = False
End Sub

Private Sub Form_DblClick()
  Unload Form1
End Sub



Private Sub Command1_Click()
  Dim point(5) As POINTAPI
  point(0).x = 10 * 5
  point(0).y = 30 * 5
  point(1).x = 60 * 5
  point(1).y = 30 * 5
  point(2).x = 20 * 5
  point(2).y = 60 * 5
  point(3).x = 40 * 5
  point(3).y = 10 * 5
  point(4).x = 50 * 5
  point(4).y = 60 * 5
  point(5).x = 10 * 5
  point(5).y = 30 * 5
  Form1.Show
  SetWindowRgn hWnd, CreatePolygonRgn(point(0), 6, 1), True
End Sub

Private Sub Form_MouseDown(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, _
        x As Single, y As Single)
  down = True
  w = x
  t = y
End Sub

Private Sub Form_MouseMove(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, _
        x As Single, y As Single)
  If down Then
    Form1.Top = Form1.Top + y - t
    Form1.Left = Form1.Left + x - w
  End If
End Sub

Private Sub Form_MouseUp(Button As Integer, Shift As Integer, _
        x As Single, y As Single)
  down = False
End Sub

'************************************************************
'Insert the following code into a separate *.BAS module
'************************************************************
'****************************************************************
'Windows API/Global Declarations for :Change Form Shape
'****************************************************************
Public Declare Function SetWindowRgn Lib "user32" _
(ByVal hWnd As Long, ByVal hRgn As Long, _
  ByVal bRedraw As Boolean) As Long
Type POINTAPI
  x As Long
  y As Long
End Type

Declare Function CreatePolygonRgn Lib "gdi32" (lpPoint _
        As POINTAPI, _
  ByVal nCount As Long, ByVal nPolyFillMode As Long) As Long

Download Form1.frm

Download Module1.bas

CodeGuru Logo

CodeGuru covers topics related to Microsoft-related software development, mobile development, database management, and web application programming. In addition to tutorials and how-tos that teach programmers how to code in Microsoft-related languages and frameworks like C# and .Net, we also publish articles on software development tools, the latest in developer news, and advice for project managers. Cloud services such as Microsoft Azure and database options including SQL Server and MSSQL are also frequently covered.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.