How to draw on the frame of a TForm

Problem/Question/Abstract:

How to draw on the frame of a TForm

Answer:

Create a message handler for the Windows Message WM_NCPAINT message. The following example paints a 1 pixel red border around the frame of the form.


type
  TForm1 = class(TForm)
  private
    { Private declarations }
    procedure WMNCPaint(var Msg: TWMNCPaint); message WM_NCPAINT;
  public
    { Public declarations }
  end;

var
  Form1: TForm1;

implementation

{$R *.DFM}

procedure TForm1.WMNCPaint(var Msg: TWMNCPaint);
var
  dc: hDc;
  Pen: hPen;
  OldPen: hPen;
  OldBrush: hBrush;
begin
  inherited;
  dc := GetWindowDC(Handle);
  msg.Result := 1;
  Pen := CreatePen(PS_SOLID, 1, RGB(255, 0, 0));
  OldPen := SelectObject(dc, Pen);
  OldBrush := SelectObject(dc, GetStockObject(NULL_BRUSH));
  Rectangle(dc, 0, 0, Form1.Width, Form1.Height);
  SelectObject(dc, OldBrush);
  SelectObject(dc, OldPen);
  DeleteObject(Pen);
  ReleaseDC(Handle, Canvas.Handle);
end;