[C++] Using GUI in a DLL

[martinx1]

Hi, I have coded a simple hack for Metin2 but now i want to add some simple GUI.

The problem is that i don't know how to implement a GUI in a DLL, i can easily make a GUI in a .exe but i can't implement it on a DLL. I have tried to use CLR support on my main hack but the DLL won't inject and i don't know why.

I have never work with graphical interfaces before.

Any tips or sugestions?

[_asm]

>2017 and still doing hacks for metin2
back to topic:
well, since your hack is simple I'd suggest you using the win32 api and code the message loop and events by hand without any toolkit.
this approach is much more lightweight than using Qt or other various frameworks.
I also recommend you to look into wxWidgets. It's extremely lightweight and has a well written documentation and useful libraries.

the only thing left to do is to create a separate thread for the window. this is required since you're directly injecting into the game's mainthread which would block your window from appearing.
simply use or other implementations such as std::thread, CreateThread, wxThread (if you're using wxWidgets) etc.

[maxi39]

you can use sfml too.

for example:

 Spoiler

#include <SFML/Graphics.hpp>

#include <windows.h>

DWORD WINAPI  loop(LPVOID unused){

    sf::RenderWindow window(sf::VideoMode(200, 200), "SFML works!");
    sf::CircleShape shape(100.f);
    shape.setFillColor(sf::Color::Green);

    while (window.isOpen())
    {
        sf::Event event;
        while (window.pollEvent(event))
        {
            if (event.type == sf::Event::Closed)
                window.close();
        }

        window.clear();
        window.draw(shape);
        window.display();
    }

return 0;
}

 BOOL WINAPI  DllMain(HINSTANCE hinstDLL, DWORD fdwReason, LPVOID lpvReserved)
{
    switch (fdwReason)
    {
        case DLL_PROCESS_ATTACH:
            CreateThread(0,0,&loop,0,0,0);
            break;

        case DLL_PROCESS_DETACH:
            // detach from process
            break;

        case DLL_THREAD_ATTACH:
            // attach to thread
            break;

        case DLL_THREAD_DETACH:
            // detach from thread
            break;
    }
    return TRUE; // succesful
}

[martinx1]

Originally Posted by _asm

>2017 and still doing hacks for metin2

I'm still a newbie in the area. I Just want to learning more and this is a simple game with leaked source and with almost no protection.

Originally Posted by _asm

>
well, since your hack is simple I'd suggest you using the win32 api and code the message loop and events by hand without any toolkit.
this approach is much more lightweight than using Qt or other various frameworks.
I also recommend you to look into wxWidgets. It's extremely lightweight and has a well written documentation and useful libraries.

the only thing left to do is to create a separate thread for the window. this is required since you're directly injecting into the game's mainthread which would block your window from appearing.
simply use or other implementations such as std::thread, CreateThread, wxThread (if you're using wxWidgets) etc.

Thanks for the sugestions, i will take a look ate those and decide wich use.

Originally Posted by maxi39

you can use sfml too.

for example:

 Spoiler

#include <SFML/Graphics.hpp>

#include <windows.h>

DWORD WINAPI  loop(LPVOID unused){

    sf::RenderWindow window(sf::VideoMode(200, 200), "SFML works!");
    sf::CircleShape shape(100.f);
    shape.setFillColor(sf::Color::Green);

    while (window.isOpen())
    {
        sf::Event event;
        while (window.pollEvent(event))
        {
            if (event.type == sf::Event::Closed)
                window.close();
        }

        window.clear();
        window.draw(shape);
        window.display();
    }

return 0;
}

 BOOL WINAPI  DllMain(HINSTANCE hinstDLL, DWORD fdwReason, LPVOID lpvReserved)
{
    switch (fdwReason)
    {
        case DLL_PROCESS_ATTACH:
            CreateThread(0,0,&loop,0,0,0);
            break;

        case DLL_PROCESS_DETACH:
            // detach from process
            break;

        case DLL_THREAD_ATTACH:
            // attach to thread
            break;

        case DLL_THREAD_DETACH:
            // detach from thread
            break;
    }
    return TRUE; // succesful
}

That looks a simple and easy to use i will probably go for that one
Thank You

[maxi39]

Originally Posted by martinx1

That looks a simple and easy to use i will probably go for that one
Thank You

if u only use the framework, u have to code the gui elements by ur self. maybe u will get new experiences .

[atom0s]

How in depth of a UI are you trying to do? And is this attempting to be external or internal in the game itself?

[_asm]

Originally Posted by atom0s

How in depth of a UI are you trying to do? And is this attempting to be external or internal in the game itself?

Internal. He is trying to attach a DLL with a GUI. I guess this thread can be closed since there are enough answers with possible solutions to his problem.

with kind regards,
_asm

[martinx1]

Thanks to all the sugestions, i will take a look in some of them in a near future, as my free time now is not much and, as _asm said, the thread can be closed

[Cøre]

Use Qt Visual Studio Addin.

[_asm]

Originally Posted by Cøre

Use Qt Visual Studio Addin.

too much of an overhead