Set color on TabControl border

Question

Set color on TabControl border

Louis Dolbecq 1

Hi everyone,

I'm actually making a C# winforms application and i want to make a dark theme.

I already found how to apply dark theme on menutoolstrip but right now i'm stuck onhow apply it to Tabcontrol border and TabPages header.

Is someone know how to make that ?

This is my code:

using System.Net;
using System.Net.NetworkInformation;
using System.Net.Sockets;
using System.Diagnostics;

namespace NUTs___Network_Utility_Tools
{
    public partial class MainForm : Form
    {

        public
            IPAddressCollection
            DnsAddresses
        { get; }

        public MainForm()
        {
            InitializeComponent();
            switchtoen_menuBtn.Enabled = false;
            ltheme_menuBtn.Enabled = false;
        }

        #region french_Ver
        private void chng_FR(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            #region form_Content
            this.Text = "NUTs - un utilitaire réseau";
            language_menuItem.Text = "Langue";
            switchtofr_menuBtn.Text = "Passer en français";
            switchtoen_menuBtn.Text = "Passer en anglais";
            switchtofr_menuBtn.Enabled = false;
            switchtoen_menuBtn.Enabled = true;
            #endregion

            #region chng_FR_Tab
            networkinfos_tabPage.Text = "Vos informations réseau";
            changeparameters_tabPage.Text = "Changer vos paramètres réseau";
            ip_richTxtBx1.Text = "Adresse IP";
            ip_richTxtBx2.Text = "Adresse IP";
            subnetmask_richTxtBx1.Text = "Masque de sous réseau";
            subnetmask_richTxtBx2.Text = "Masque de sous réseau";
            defgateway_richTxtBx1.Text = "Passerelle par défaut";
            defgateway_richTxtBx2.Text = "Passerelle par défaut";
            primdns_richTxtBx1.Text = "Adresse DNS primaire";
            primdns_richTxtBx2.Text = "Adresse DNS primaire";
            secdns_richTxtBx1.Text = "Adresse DNS secondaire";
            secdns_richTxtBx2.Text = "Adresse DNS secondaire";
            retrieveinfos_Btn.Text = "RECUPERER INFOS";
            setStaticparams_Btn.Text = "APPLIQUER PARAMETRES STATIQUE";
            setDynamicparams_Btn.Text = "APPLIQUER PARAMETRES DHCP";
            ip_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            subnetmask_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            defgateway_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            primdns_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            secdns_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            #endregion
        }
        #endregion

        #region english_Ver
        private void chng_EN(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            #region form_Content
            this.Text = "NUTs - a network utility tool";
            language_menuItem.Text = "Language";
            switchtofr_menuBtn.Text = "Switch to french";
            switchtoen_menuBtn.Text = "Switch to english";
            switchtofr_menuBtn.Enabled = true;
            switchtoen_menuBtn.Enabled = false;
            #endregion

            #region chng_EN_Tab
            networkinfos_tabPage.Text = "Your network informations";
            changeparameters_tabPage.Text = "Change your network parameters";
            ip_richTxtBx1.Text = "IP Address";
            ip_richTxtBx2.Text = "IP Address";
            subnetmask_richTxtBx1.Text = "Subnet mask";
            subnetmask_richTxtBx2.Text = "Subnet mask";
            defgateway_richTxtBx1.Text = "Default gateway";
            defgateway_richTxtBx2.Text = "Default gateway";
            primdns_richTxtBx1.Text = "Primary DNS address";
            primdns_richTxtBx2.Text = "Primary DNS address";
            secdns_richTxtBx1.Text = "Secondary DNS address";
            secdns_richTxtBx2.Text = "Secondary DNS address";
            retrieveinfos_Btn.Text = "RETRIEVE INFOS";
            setStaticparams_Btn.Text = "APPLY STATIC PARAMETERS";
            setDynamicparams_Btn.Text = "APPLY DHCP PARAMETERS";
            ip_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            subnetmask_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            defgateway_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            primdns_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            secdns_TxtBx1.Text = "";
            #endregion
        }
        #endregion

        #region retrieve_infos
        private void retrieve_Infos(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            foreach (NetworkInterface adapter in NetworkInterface.GetAllNetworkInterfaces())
            {
                if (adapter.Name.Contains("Ethernet") || adapter.Name.Contains("Wi-Fi"))
                {
                    if (adapter.NetworkInterfaceType == NetworkInterfaceType.Wireless80211 && adapter.OperationalStatus == OperationalStatus.Up || adapter.NetworkInterfaceType == NetworkInterfaceType.Ethernet && adapter.OperationalStatus == OperationalStatus.Up)
                    {
                        foreach (UnicastIPAddressInformation ip in adapter.GetIPProperties().UnicastAddresses)
                        {
                            if (ip.Address.AddressFamily == AddressFamily.InterNetwork)
                            {
                                ip_TxtBx1.Text = (ip.Address.ToString());
                                subnetmask_TxtBx1.Text = (ip.IPv4Mask.ToString());
                            }
                        }
                        foreach (GatewayIPAddressInformation defgateway in adapter.GetIPProperties().GatewayAddresses)
                        {
                            defgateway_TxtBx1.Text = (defgateway.Address.ToString());
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
            foreach (NetworkInterface adapter in NetworkInterface.GetAllNetworkInterfaces())
            {
                if (adapter.Name.Contains("Ethernet") || adapter.Name.Contains("Wi-Fi"))
                {
                    IPInterfaceProperties adapterProperties = adapter.GetIPProperties();
                    IPAddressCollection dnsServers = adapterProperties.DnsAddresses;

                    if (adapter.NetworkInterfaceType == NetworkInterfaceType.Wireless80211 && adapter.OperationalStatus == OperationalStatus.Up || adapter.NetworkInterfaceType == NetworkInterfaceType.Ethernet && adapter.OperationalStatus == OperationalStatus.Up)
                    {
                        foreach (UnicastIPAddressInformation ip in adapter.GetIPProperties().UnicastAddresses)
                        {
                            if (dnsServers.Count > 0 && ip.Address.AddressFamily == AddressFamily.InterNetwork)
                            {
                                foreach (IPAddress dns in dnsServers)
                                {
                                    primdns_TxtBx1.Text = dnsServers[0].ToString();
                                    secdns_TxtBx1.Text = dnsServers[1].ToString();
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        #endregion

        #region change_toStatic
        private void set_StaticParams(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            foreach (NetworkInterface adapter in NetworkInterface.GetAllNetworkInterfaces())
            {
                if (adapter.Name.Contains("Ethernet") || adapter.Name.Contains("Wi-Fi"))
                {
                    if (adapter.NetworkInterfaceType == NetworkInterfaceType.Ethernet && adapter.OperationalStatus == OperationalStatus.Up)
                    {
                        ProcessStartInfo psi = new ProcessStartInfo("cmd.exe");
                        psi.UseShellExecute = true;
                        psi.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;
                        psi.Verb = "runas";
                        psi.Arguments = ("/c netsh interface ip set address " + adapter.Name + " static " + ip_TxtBx2.Text + " " + subnetmask_TxtBx2.Text + " " + defgateway_TxtBx2.Text + " & netsh interface ip set dns " + adapter.Name + " static " + primdns_TxtBx2.Text + "& netsh interface ip add dns " + adapter.Name + secdns_TxtBx2 + "index=2");
                        Process.Start(psi);
                    }
                    else if (adapter.NetworkInterfaceType == NetworkInterfaceType.Wireless80211 && adapter.OperationalStatus == OperationalStatus.Up)
                    {
                        ProcessStartInfo psi = new ProcessStartInfo("cmd.exe");
                        psi.UseShellExecute = true;
                        psi.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;
                        psi.Verb = "runas";
                        psi.Arguments = ("/c netsh interface ip set address " + adapter.Name + " static " + ip_TxtBx2.Text + " " + subnetmask_TxtBx2.Text + " " + defgateway_TxtBx2.Text + " & netsh interface ip set dns " + adapter.Name + " static " + primdns_TxtBx2.Text + "& netsh interface ip add dns " + adapter.Name + secdns_TxtBx2 + "index=2");
                        Process.Start(psi);
                    }
                }
            }
            ip_TxtBx2.Clear();
            subnetmask_TxtBx2.Clear();
            defgateway_TxtBx2.Clear();
            primdns_TxtBx2.Clear();
            secdns_TxtBx2.Clear();
        }
        #endregion

        #region change_toDynamic
        private void set_DyanmicParams(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            foreach (NetworkInterface adapter in NetworkInterface.GetAllNetworkInterfaces())
            {
                if (adapter.Name.Contains("Ethernet") || adapter.Name.Contains("Wi-Fi"))
                {
                    if (adapter.NetworkInterfaceType == NetworkInterfaceType.Ethernet && adapter.OperationalStatus == OperationalStatus.Up)
                    {
                        ProcessStartInfo psi = new ProcessStartInfo("cmd.exe");
                        psi.UseShellExecute = true;
                        psi.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;
                        psi.Verb = "runas";
                        psi.Arguments = ("/c netsh interface ip set address " + adapter.Name + " dhcp " + " & netsh interface ip set dns " + adapter.Name + " dhcp ");
                        Process.Start(psi);
                    }
                    else if (adapter.NetworkInterfaceType == NetworkInterfaceType.Wireless80211 && adapter.OperationalStatus == OperationalStatus.Up)
                    {
                        ProcessStartInfo psi = new ProcessStartInfo("cmd.exe");
                        psi.UseShellExecute = true;
                        psi.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden;
                        psi.Verb = "runas";
                        psi.Arguments = ("/c netsh interface ip set address " + adapter.Name + " dhcp " + " & netsh interface ip set dns " + adapter.Name + " dhcp ");
                        Process.Start(psi);
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        #endregion

        #region darkMode
        private void enable_dMode(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            menu_menuStrip.Renderer = new ToolStripProfessionalRenderer(new MyColorTable());
            this.BackColor = Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
            language_menuItem.ForeColor = Color.White;
            switchtoen_menuBtn.ForeColor = Color.White;
            switchtofr_menuBtn.ForeColor = Color.White;
            enablethemes_menuItem.ForeColor = Color.White;
            dtheme_menuBtn.ForeColor = Color.White;
            dtheme_menuBtn.Enabled = false;
            ltheme_menuBtn.ForeColor = Color.White;
            ltheme_menuBtn.Enabled = true;
            networkinfos_tabPage.BackColor = Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
            changeparameters_tabPage.BackColor = Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);

        }
        #endregion

        #region tableColor
        public class MyColorTable : ProfessionalColorTable
        {
            public override Color ToolStripDropDownBackground
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color ImageMarginGradientBegin
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color ImageMarginGradientMiddle
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color ImageMarginGradientEnd
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color MenuBorder
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.Black;
                }
            }

            public override Color MenuItemBorder
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.Black;
                }
            }

            public override Color MenuItemSelected
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color MenuStripGradientBegin
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color MenuStripGradientEnd
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color MenuItemSelectedGradientBegin
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color MenuItemSelectedGradientEnd
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color MenuItemPressedGradientBegin
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }

            public override Color MenuItemPressedGradientEnd
            {
                get
                {
                    return Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45);
                }
            }
        }
        #endregion

    }
}

(Sorry for my bad english)

3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Jack J Jun 25,296

@Louis Dolbecq , Welcome to Microsoft Q&A, you could try the following method to color the tabpage's header and border.

  private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)  
        {  
            menuStrip1.Renderer = new ToolStripProfessionalRenderer(new MyColorTable());  
            this.tabControl1.DrawMode = TabDrawMode.OwnerDrawFixed;  
            this.tabControl1.DrawItem += new System.Windows.Forms.DrawItemEventHandler(this.tabControl1_DrawItem);  
              
        }  
  
        
        private void tabControl1_DrawItem(object sender, DrawItemEventArgs e)  
        {  
            // Set Border header  
            e.Graphics.FillRectangle(new SolidBrush(Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45)), e.Bounds);  
            Rectangle paddedBounds = e.Bounds;  
            paddedBounds.Inflate(-2, -2);  
            e.Graphics.DrawString(tabControl1.TabPages[e.Index].Text, this.Font, SystemBrushes.HighlightText, paddedBounds);  
              
            //set  Tabcontrol border  
            Graphics g = e.Graphics;  
            Pen p = new Pen(Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45), 10);  
            g.DrawRectangle(p, tabPage1.Bounds);                                                                                                             
          
  
        
        private void tabControl1_DrawItem(object sender, DrawItemEventArgs e)  
        {  
            e.Graphics.FillRectangle(new SolidBrush(Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45)), e.Bounds);  
            Rectangle paddedBounds = e.Bounds;  
            paddedBounds.Inflate(-2, -2);  
            e.Graphics.DrawString(tabControl1.TabPages[e.Index].Text, this.Font, SystemBrushes.HighlightText, paddedBounds);  
            Graphics g = e.Graphics;  
            Pen p = new Pen(Color.FromArgb(45, 45, 45), 10);  
            g.DrawRectangle(p, tabPage1.Bounds);  
        }

Result:

Hope this could help you

Best Regards,
Jack

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Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-22T18:47:12.103+00:00

@Jack J Jun thank you for your help ! Now my app looks like this:

How can i remove this blank border ?
Jack J Jun 25,296 Reputation points

2022-03-23T02:48:09.56+00:00

@Louis Dolbecq , based on my test, there is no problem for me. Do you have any other code to affect it to generate the blank border? If so, Please provide it. which control you used related to blank border is tabcontrol?
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-23T09:27:26.41+00:00

It seems that generate by the TabControl itself (i put the same code as you)

The actual configuration of TabControl is the following:

Normally, the app started with light theme and when i click the button dark theme, it switch to dark.
Castorix31 90,521 Reputation points

2022-03-23T18:06:03.263+00:00

You can override Paint event to draw about anything, but I don't see exactly the result you want
I did a test and I get :

Jack J Jun 25,296

@Louis Dolbecq , Currently I am not sure what happened for your app, Could you provide a sample in Github or Onedrive then share the link here? It will be better for me to analyze your problem.

By the way, If you want to use mentrip to set the theme of app, Please try the following code to set it for two options:

 private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)  
        {  
            menuStrip1.Renderer = new ToolStripProfessionalRenderer(new MyColorTable());  
            this.tabControl1.DrawItem += new System.Windows.Forms.DrawItemEventHandler(this.tabControl1_DrawItem);  
            BSEvents.levelCleared += BSEvents_levelCleared;  
        }  
 private void lightToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)  
        {  
            this.tabControl1.DrawMode = TabDrawMode.Normal;  
           
        }  
  
        private void darkToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)  
        {  
            this.tabControl1.DrawMode = TabDrawMode.OwnerDrawFixed;  
           
        }

Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-24T15:15:14.09+00:00

This is a link to my project on google drive https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HX7ggyJYfr1VXawBptK4dov5W63eWUep?usp=sharing
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-25T15:11:56.577+00:00

On which .NET Framework version are you ?
Castorix31 90,521 Reputation points

2022-03-25T15:27:00.72+00:00

There is no difference (4.5, 4.8, ...)
In my test, I just replaced the background color behind the Tab Control (blank or other) with the color of the Form in Paint event (WM_PAINT)
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-25T16:22:14.887+00:00

Never used this event. Have you a code sample i can modify to complete my code ? because i try using the code sample provided by Microsoft and don't know how to adapt it to mine.

Answer 2

Louis Dolbecq 1

I try to get back to .NET Framework 4.7.2 (i was on .NET 6.0) but problem always here (i made a simple winform with only menustrip and tabcontrol to test).

Answer 3

From comments, a test by overriding WM_PAINT to replace Tab Control background color (behind the Pages, the Pages using parent Form.BackColor)
(add using System.Runtime.InteropServices; at beginning and replace default TabControl class by this one named TabControlPaint ) :

public partial class Form1 : Form  
{       
    public Form1()  
    {  
        InitializeComponent();  
    }  

    //Color colorBackgroundDark = Color.FromArgb(255, 32, 32, 32);  
    Color colorBackgroundDark = Color.FromArgb(255, 39, 39, 39);  
    //Color colorBackgroundDark = Color.Blue;  
    //Color colorBackgroundDark = SystemColors.ControlDarkDark;   

    private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)  
    {  
        BackColor = colorBackgroundDark;  
         
        //button1.BackColor = Color.Black;  
        //button1.ForeColor = Color.White;  
        //textBox1.BackColor = Color.Black;  
        //textBox1.ForeColor = Color.White;  
    }  
}  

[Designer("System.Windows.Forms.Design.ParentControlDesigner, System.Design", typeof(System.ComponentModel.Design.IDesigner))]  
public partial class TabControlPaint : TabControl  
{  
    public enum HRESULT : int  
    {  
        S_OK = 0,  
        S_FALSE = 1,  
        E_NOINTERFACE = unchecked((int)0x80004002),  
        E_NOTIMPL = unchecked((int)0x80004001),  
        E_FAIL = unchecked((int)0x80004005),  
        E_UNEXPECTED = unchecked((int)0x8000FFFF),  
        E_OUTOFMEMORY = unchecked((int)0x8007000E)  
    }  

    [DllImport("UxTheme.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern IntPtr BeginBufferedPaint(IntPtr hdcTarget, ref RECT prcTarget, BP_BUFFERFORMAT dwFormat, IntPtr pPaintParams, out IntPtr phdc);  

    public enum BP_BUFFERFORMAT  
    {  
        BPBF_COMPATIBLEBITMAP,  
        BPBF_DIB,  
        BPBF_TOPDOWNDIB,  
        BPBF_TOPDOWNMONODIB  
    }  

    [DllImport("UxTheme.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern HRESULT EndBufferedPaint(IntPtr hBufferedPaint, bool fUpdateTarget);  

    [DllImport("UxTheme.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern HRESULT BufferedPaintInit();  

    [DllImport("UxTheme.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern HRESULT BufferedPaintUnInit();  

    [DllImport("User32.dll", SetLastError = true)]  
    public static extern bool GetClientRect(IntPtr hWnd, out RECT lpRect);  

    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]  
    public struct RECT  
    {  
        public int left;  
        public int top;  
        public int right;  
        public int bottom;  
        public RECT(int Left, int Top, int Right, int Bottom)  
        {  
            left = Left;  
            top = Top;  
            right = Right;  
            bottom = Bottom;  
        }  
    }  

    [DllImport("Gdi32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern IntPtr CreateCompatibleDC(IntPtr hDC);  

    [DllImport("Gdi32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern IntPtr CreateCompatibleBitmap(IntPtr hDC, int nWidth, int nHeight);  

    [DllImport("Gdi32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern IntPtr SelectObject(IntPtr hDC, IntPtr hObject);  

    [DllImport("Gdi32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern bool DeleteDC(IntPtr hDC);  

    [DllImport("Gdi32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern bool DeleteObject(IntPtr ho);  

    [DllImport("Gdi32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern IntPtr CreateSolidBrush(int crColor);  

    [DllImport("Msimg32.dll", SetLastError = true)]  
    public static extern bool TransparentBlt(IntPtr hdcDest, int xoriginDest, int yoriginDest, int wDest, int hDest, IntPtr hdcSrc, int xoriginSrc, int yoriginSrc, int wSrc, int hSrc, uint crTransparent);  

    [DllImport("Gdi32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern bool BitBlt(IntPtr hDC, int x, int y, int nWidth, int nHeight, IntPtr hSrcDC, int xSrc, int ySrc, int dwRop);  

    public const int SRCCOPY = 0x00CC0020;  

    [DllImport("User32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern bool FillRect(IntPtr hdc, [In] ref RECT rect, IntPtr hbrush);  

    [DllImport("User32.dll", SetLastError = true, CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    public static extern int SendMessage(IntPtr hWnd, uint msg, int wParam, IntPtr lParam);  

    public const int WM_PRINT = 0x0317;  
    public const int WM_PRINTCLIENT = 0x0318;  

    public const int PRF_CHECKVISIBLE = 0x00000001;  
    public const int PRF_NONCLIENT = 0x00000002;  
    public const int PRF_CLIENT = 0x00000004;  
    public const int PRF_ERASEBKGND = 0x00000008;  
    public const int PRF_CHILDREN = 0x00000010;  
    public const int PRF_OWNED = 0x00000020;  

    [DllImport("User32.dll", SetLastError = true, ExactSpelling = true, EntryPoint = "BeginPaint", CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    private static extern int BeginPaint(IntPtr hWnd, [In, Out] ref PAINTSTRUCT lpPaint);  

    [DllImport("User32.dll", SetLastError = true, ExactSpelling = true, EntryPoint = "EndPaint", CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]  
    private static extern bool EndPaint(IntPtr hWnd, ref PAINTSTRUCT lpPaint);  

    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]  
    public struct PAINTSTRUCT  
    {  
        public IntPtr hdc;  
        public bool fErase;  
        public int rcPaint_left;  
        public int rcPaint_top;  
        public int rcPaint_right;  
        public int rcPaint_bottom;  
        public bool fRestore;  
        public bool fIncUpdate;  
        public int reserved1;  
        public int reserved2;  
        public int reserved3;  
        public int reserved4;  
        public int reserved5;  
        public int reserved6;  
        public int reserved7;  
        public int reserved8;  
    }  

    public const int WM_PAINT = 0x000F;  

    public TabControlPaint()  
    {  
        BufferedPaintInit();  
        //this.SetStyle(ControlStyles.UserPaint, true);  
        this.DrawMode = TabDrawMode.OwnerDrawFixed;  
        this.DrawItem += new System.Windows.Forms.DrawItemEventHandler(tabControl_DrawItem);            
    }  

    protected override void OnCreateControl()  
    {  
        base.OnCreateControl();  
        ((Form)this.Parent).Closing += new CancelEventHandler(Parent_Closing);  
        ((Form)this.Parent).Load += Parent_Load;  
    }  

    private void Parent_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)  
    {  
        foreach (TabPage tp in this.TabPages)  
        {  
            tp.BackColor = this.Parent.BackColor;  
        }  
    }  

    private void Parent_Closing(object sender, CancelEventArgs e)  
    {  
        BufferedPaintUnInit();  
    }  

    private void tabControl_DrawItem(object sender, DrawItemEventArgs e)  
    {  
        TabControl tc = (TabControl)sender;  
        TabPage tp = tc.TabPages[e.Index];  
        SolidBrush backBrush = (e.State == DrawItemState.Selected) ? new SolidBrush(tp.BackColor) : new SolidBrush(Color.Black);  
        e.Graphics.FillRectangle(backBrush, e.Bounds);  
        Rectangle rectBounds = e.Bounds;  
        int nYOffset = (e.State == DrawItemState.Selected) ? -1 : 1;  
        rectBounds.Offset(1, nYOffset);  
        Color textColor = (e.State == DrawItemState.Selected) ? Color.White : Color.LightGray;  
        Color backColor = this.Parent.BackColor;  
        if (backColor == SystemColors.Control)  
            textColor = (e.State == DrawItemState.Selected) ? Color.Black : Color.LightGray;  
        TextRenderer.DrawText(e.Graphics, tp.Text, e.Font, rectBounds, textColor);  
    }  

    protected override void WndProc(ref Message m)  
    {  
        if (m.Msg == WM_PAINT)  
        {  
            PAINTSTRUCT ps = new PAINTSTRUCT();  
            IntPtr hDC = (IntPtr)BeginPaint(m.HWnd, ref ps);  

            IntPtr targetDC = hDC;  
            IntPtr bufferedDC = IntPtr.Zero;  
            HRESULT hr = HRESULT.S_OK;  
            RECT rectClient;  
            GetClientRect(this.Handle, out rectClient);  

            IntPtr pb = BeginBufferedPaint(targetDC, ref rectClient, BP_BUFFERFORMAT.BPBF_TOPDOWNDIB, IntPtr.Zero, out bufferedDC);  
            IntPtr hDCMem = CreateCompatibleDC(hDC);  
            IntPtr hBitmap = CreateCompatibleBitmap(hDC, rectClient.right - rectClient.left, rectClient.bottom - rectClient.top);  
            IntPtr hBitmapOld = SelectObject(hDCMem, hBitmap);  

            // Copie control image into Memory DC with custom color as background  
            IntPtr hBrush1 = CreateSolidBrush(ColorTranslator.ToWin32(Color.FromArgb(255, 255, 254, 255)));  
            FillRect(hDCMem, ref rectClient, hBrush1);  
            DeleteObject(hBrush1);  

            SendMessage(this.Handle, WM_PRINTCLIENT, (int)hDCMem, (IntPtr)PRF_CLIENT);  
            IntPtr hDCMem2 = CreateCompatibleDC(hDC);  
            IntPtr hBitmap2 = CreateCompatibleBitmap(hDC, rectClient.right - rectClient.left, rectClient.bottom - rectClient.top);  
            IntPtr hBitmapOld2 = SelectObject(hDCMem2, hBitmap2);  

            // Custom color => Back color  
            IntPtr hBrush2 = CreateSolidBrush(ColorTranslator.ToWin32(this.Parent.BackColor));  
            FillRect(hDCMem2, ref rectClient, hBrush2);  
            DeleteObject(hBrush2);  
            TransparentBlt(hDCMem2, 0, 0, rectClient.right - rectClient.left, rectClient.bottom - rectClient.top, hDCMem, 0, 0,  
                rectClient.right - rectClient.left, rectClient.bottom - rectClient.top, (uint)ColorTranslator.ToWin32(Color.FromArgb(255, 255, 254, 255)));  
            BitBlt(bufferedDC, 0, 0, rectClient.right - rectClient.left, rectClient.bottom - rectClient.top, hDCMem2, 0, 0, SRCCOPY);  

            SelectObject(hDCMem, hBitmapOld);  
            DeleteObject(hBitmap);  
            DeleteDC(hDCMem);  
            SelectObject(hDCMem2, hBitmapOld2);  
            DeleteObject(hBitmap2);  
            DeleteDC(hDCMem2);  

            hr = EndBufferedPaint(pb, true);  

            EndPaint(m.HWnd, ref ps);  
            m.Result = IntPtr.Zero;  
        }            
        else  
            base.WndProc(ref m);  
    }       
}

Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-26T19:03:28.493+00:00

That's seems good but right now, the problem is on TabPage as you can see:
Castorix31 90,521 Reputation points

2022-03-26T19:30:44.25+00:00

I have set Tab Page colors depending of BackColor of main Form
Have you set a BackColor ? (I put Color.FromArgb(255, 39, 39, 39) in my test)
Otherwise, you can change/force the colors with those you had set in your screenshot, in tabControl_DrawItem
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-26T19:41:19.787+00:00

Do i need to call tabControl_DrawItem in TabControl.DrawItem ? Because actually i can't
Castorix31 90,521 Reputation points

2022-03-26T19:45:16.107+00:00

I don't understand what you mean
Have you done a copy-paste of the class ?
The initialization is in the Constructor of the class :

this.DrawMode = TabDrawMode.OwnerDrawFixed; this.DrawItem += new System.Windows.Forms.DrawItemEventHandler(tabControl_DrawItem);
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-26T19:58:55.953+00:00

I have copy-paste the class and actually can't call tabControl_DrawItem. When i copy your tabControl_DrawItem under my actual tabControl_DrawItem, it's not fully functional.
Castorix31 90,521 Reputation points

2022-03-26T20:14:32.827+00:00

When i copy your tabControl_DrawItem under my actual tabControl_DrawItem

But why are you doing this ?
You must not have a tabControl_DrawItem if you use an instance of TabControlPaint, which already has tabControl_DrawItem inside the class
And there is nothing to copy from the class, just the class, globally or in a .cs file
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-26T20:29:58.62+00:00

Sorry, i'm new in coding.

So i remove my old tabControl_DrawItem and let your code but problem always here. and when i try with new winform same problem.
Castorix31 90,521 Reputation points

2022-03-26T20:37:48.987+00:00

Did you set a BackColor for the main Form like in the sample I posted
(in Form1_Load, generated by the Designer with this.Load += new System.EventHandler(this.Form1_Load);):

BackColor = colorBackgroundDark;

with

Color colorBackgroundDark = Color.FromArgb(255, 39, 39, 39);

at beginning

If I test with :

Color colorBackgroundDark = Color.Blue;

, I get :
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-27T11:17:45.613+00:00

My goal is to start the app in light mode, not dark mode. So i let the default BackColor. This is why i've got this ?
Castorix31 90,521 Reputation points

2022-03-27T11:26:59.227+00:00

Then just change the colors as you want inside tabControl_DrawItem
depending on your Dark or Light mode, instead of reading BackColor like I do
(also the BackColor of Tab Pages inside Parent_Load)
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-27T14:58:01.38+00:00

colors are modified but problem always here

code can be found here https://pastebin.com/VpzUPyG2
Castorix31 90,521 Reputation points

2022-03-27T15:38:55.823+00:00

I added a IsDarkMode property :

Test code : Dark/Light Mode
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-27T16:56:28.213+00:00

Okay so right now when copying your code, i got CS0103 error because tabControlPaint1 does not exists in this context
Castorix31 90,521 Reputation points

2022-03-27T17:12:52.737+00:00

It is normal, because I created it (with Button and other controls) with Designer
Do the same thing...
Louis Dolbecq 1 Reputation point

2022-03-28T16:36:24.913+00:00

tabControlPaint is create. Now error moved to IsDarkMode.

A friend tell me to create a class with all the code and call it inside Form code.

Now how can i call it ? because i have never used this method before
ATA 6 Reputation points

2023-05-09T09:11:11.9666667+00:00

This works perfectly, but how do I change the border?
ATA 6 Reputation points

2023-05-09T09:23:46.2466667+00:00

Also i can't click on the tabs on designer

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Set color on TabControl border

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