Using Windows resources with GDI

Graphics Device Interface (GDI) allows us to do interesting things using bitmaps, icons cursors, and so on. GDI is used as a rendering alternative if we are not implementing any other rendering alternatives such as OpenGL or DirectX.

Getting ready

For this recipe, you will need a Windows machine with a working copy of Visual Studio.

How to do it…

In this recipe, we will find out how easy it is to load resources using the Windows GDI:

1. Open Visual Studio.

2. Create a new C++ project.

3. Select a Win32 Windows application.

4. Right-click on Resource files and add a new cursor from the Add Resource subsection.

5. A resource.h file will automatically be created for you.

6. Add a source file called Source.cpp and add the following code to it:

   #define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN
   
   #include <windows.h>   // Include all the windows headers.
   #include <windowsx.h>  // Include useful macros.
   #include "resource.h"
   
   #define WINDOW_CLASS_NAME L"WINCLASS1"
   
   
   void GameLoop()
   {
     //One frame...