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Settings

• Variables
  • Steps = Contains all colors between two colors. (read – List<Color>)

Functions

ColorFadeCalculator()

ColorFadeCalculator(Color fromColor, Color toColor)

ColorFadeCalculator(Color fromColor, Color toColor, int targetSteps = 60)

ColorFadeCalculator(Color fromColor, Color toColor, int targetSteps = 60, bool transparentFading = false)

ColorFadeCalculator(Color fromColor, Color toColor, int targetSteps = 60, int accuracy = 1)

GetMidColor(Color color1, Color color2)

• ColorFadeCalculator
  • fromColor = First Color. (Color)
  • toColor = Second Color. (Color)
  • targetSteps = How many steps between fromColor and toColor. (int)
    • This will determine the final size of Steps List variable.
  • accuracy = Skip processing color steps if delay is an issue. (bool)
    • 1 will process every color between fromColor and toColor.
    • 2 will process every other color between fromColor and toColor.
    • etc.
  • transparentFading = Include Alpha channel when fading. (int)

• GetMidColor
  • color1 = First Color. (Color)
  • color2 = Second Color. (Color)

Simple Example:

label.Backcolor = Color.Red;
ColorFadeCalculator cfc = ColorFadeCalculator(Color.Red, Color.Blue);

for (int i = 0; i < cfc.Steps.Count; i++)
{
    label.Backcolor = cfc.Steps[i];
}

Fading Label Example:

const int steps = 100;
const int delay = 5;
const int timeout = 2000;
Color labelFore = label1.ForeColor;
Color labelBack = label1.BackColor;
Color formBack = this.BackColor;

// Create a ColorFadeCalculator which holds all of your Color Steps.
ColorFadeCalculator labelFade = new ColorFadeCalculator(labelFore, labelBack, steps);

label1.text = "Original text."

Stopwatch sw = new Stopwatch();
sw.Start();

// Fade OUT here
for (int i = 0; i < labelFade.Steps.Count; i++)
{
	label1.ForeColor = labelFade.Steps[i];
	label1.Update();

	// I use a delay to extend the fading time without extending the Steps.
	if (delay > 0)
	{
		long check = sw.ElapsedMilliseconds;
		while (sw.ElapsedMilliseconds < check + delay)
		{
			Thread.Sleep(0);
		}
	}
	
	// I use a timeout just in case the PC is running slowly.
	if (sw.ElapsedMilliseconds >= timeout)
	{
		label1.ForeColor = labelFade.Steps[labelFade.Steps.Count - 1];
                label1.Update();
		break;
	}
}

//Here we change what we need to after everything is Faded Out.
label1.Text = "New label text.";

sw.Restart();

// And now we Fade In the same way we Faded Out.
// But counting in reverse.
for (int i = labelFade.Steps.Count - 1; i >= 0; i--)
{
	label1.ForeColor = labelFade.Steps[i];
        label1.Update();
	
	// I use a delay to extend the fading time without extending the Steps
	if (delay > 0)
	{
		long check = sw.ElapsedMilliseconds;
		while (sw.ElapsedMilliseconds < check + delay)
		{
			Thread.Sleep(0);
		}
	}
	
	// I use a timeout just in case the PC is running slowly.
	if (sw.ElapsedMilliseconds >= timeout)
	{
		label1.ForeColor = labelFade.Steps[0];
                label1.Update();
		break;
	}
}

Fading PictureBox Example:

const int steps = 100;
const int delay = 5;
const int timeout = 2000;
Color formBack = this.BackColor;

//For PictureBox Images, you will need to set the Transparencey option to True.
//The fromColor can be set to anything Transparent.
//If fromColor is set to Color.Transparent, you may notice a dark shade when fading.
//Try to use a Transparent color of the Parent for better fading affect!
ColorFadeCalculator photoFade = new ColorFadeCalculator(Color.FromArgb(0, formBack.R, formBack.G, formBack.B), formBack, steps, true);

Image photoImage = (Image)pictureBox1.Image.Clone();

Stopwatch sw = new Stopwatch();
sw.Start();

// Fade OUT here
for (int i = 0; i < photoFade.Steps.Count; i++)
{
	if (photoImage != null)
	{
		using Image img = (Bitmap)photoImage.Clone();
		using Graphics g = Graphics.FromImage(img);
		using SolidBrush myBrush = new SolidBrush(photoFade.Steps[i]);
		g.FillRectangle(myBrush, 0, 0, img.Width, img.Height);
		g.Save();
		UpdatePhoto(img);
	}

	pictureBox1.Update();
	
	// I use a delay to extend the fading time without extending the Steps.
	if (delay > 0)
	{
		long check = sw.ElapsedMilliseconds;
		while (sw.ElapsedMilliseconds < check + delay)
		{
			Thread.Sleep(0);
		}
	}
	
	// I use a timeout just in case the PC is running slowly.
	if (sw.ElapsedMilliseconds >= timeout)
	{
		if (photoImage != null)
		{
			using Image img = (Bitmap)photoImage.Clone();
			using Graphics g = Graphics.FromImage(img);
			using SolidBrush myBrush = new SolidBrush(photoFade.Steps[photoFade.Steps.Count - 1]);
			g.FillRectangle(myBrush, 0, 0, img.Width, img.Height);
			g.Save();
			UpdatePhoto(img);
		}

		pictureBox1.Update();
		break;
	}
}

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Please feel free to view the source code over at GitHub. Completely available. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. And please share with your friends!