Custom WinForm with MessageBox Icon and Sound

Question

I want to create a modal dialog that has more controls than what a standard .NET MessageBox offers you. I've created my own Windows Form that will be called with ShowDialog() to give the modal behavior. However, I'd like to utilize the graphics that come with MessageBox via MesageBoxIcon. Is this possible? Is it also possible to replicate playing the error/warning windows sounds associated with the message box icons (as they are set in the user's windows settings)?

Olibanum

Answer 1

See System.Drawing.SystemIcons class to display the system icons the MessageBox class uses, such as Question, Information and Warning.

e.Graphics.DrawImage(SystemIcons.Question.ToBitmap(), new Point(0, 0));

For the sounds, see the System.Media.SystemSounds class to play the associated sounds.

System.Media.SystemSounds.Asterisk.Play();

Chalcopyrite

Just wanted to add that this was a nice reference for drawing the system icon: codeproject.com/script/Articles/ViewDownloads.aspx?aid=154680 – Olibanum

You need to use Graphics.DrawIcon(), or some variation, as SystemIcons returns Icon, not Image, but you're essentially there. – Olibanum

@StealthRabbi Oops. Updated code. Yes, DrawIcon or use the ToBitmap() function. – Chalcopyrite

Answer 2

MessageBox is provided by the OS I'm afraid. You can extend it, but it requires a lot of work (see this CodeProject article for a tutorial). Your best bet is probably to start again with a control inheriting from Form as you suggest.

To access the icons, it's as simple as using the System.Drawing.SystemIcons class (documentation for that is here.)

Ream