Using the Graphics DDI

In response to device-independent application calls routed through the Graphics Device Interface (GDI), a graphics driver must ensure that its graphics device produces the required output. A graphics driver controls graphics output by implementing as much of the graphics Device Driver Interface (DDI) as is necessary.

Graphics DDI function names are in the DrvXxx form. GDI calls these DrvXxx functions to pass data to the driver. When an application makes a request of GDI, and GDI determines that the driver supports the relevant function, GDI calls that function. It is the responsibility of the driver to provide the function and return to GDI upon the function's completion.

This section describes the graphics DDI functions that writers of display and printer drivers must be aware of. Graphics DDI function declarations, structure definitions, and constants can be found in winddi.h.

The topics contained in this section are as follows:

Graphics Driver Functions

Supporting Initialization and Termination Functions

Floating-Point Operations in Graphics Driver Functions

Creating Device-Dependent Bitmaps

Supporting Graphics Output

Supporting Graphics DDI Color and Pattern Functions

Supporting Graphics DDI Font and Text Functions

The DEVMODEW Structure