GDI+

Purpose

Windows GDI+ is a class-based API for C/C++ programmers. It enables applications to use graphics and formatted text on both the video display and the printer. Applications based on the Microsoft Win32 API do not access graphics hardware directly. Instead, GDI+ interacts with device drivers on behalf of applications. GDI+ is also supported by Microsoft Win64.

Where applicable

GDI+ can be used in all Windows-based applications. GDI+ is new technology that is included in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. It is required as a redistributable for applications that run on the Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6, Windows 2000, Windows 98, and Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) operating systems.

GDI+ functions and classes are not supported for use within a Windows service. Attempting to use these functions and classes from a Windows service may produce unexpected problems, such as diminished service performance and run-time exceptions or errors.

Note  When you use the GDI+ API, you must never allow your application to download arbitrary fonts from untrusted sources. The operating system requires elevated privileges to assure that all installed fonts are trusted.

Developer audience

The GDI+ C++ class-based interface is designed for use by C/C++ programmers. Familiarity with the Windows graphical user interface and message-driven architecture is required.

Run-time requirements

Gdiplus.dll is included in Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. For information about which operating systems are required to use a particular class or method, see the More Information section of the documentation for the class or method. GDI+ is available as a redistributable for Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 SP6, Windows 2000, Windows 98, and Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me). To download the latest redistributable, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=20993.

Note  If you are redistributing GDI+ to a downlevel platform or a platform that does not ship with that version of GDI+ natively, install Gdiplus.dll in your application directory. This puts it in your address space, but you should use the linker's /BASE option to rebase the Gdiplus.dll to prevent address space conflict. For more information, see /BASE (Base Address).

In this section

Related topics

Windows GDI

DirectX

Windows Image Acquisition

OpenGL

Windows Multimedia

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Build date: 9/7/2011