greetings every1,
i understand that if u change the style property of a command button to graphical, the forms recieves a WM_DRAWITEM msg. I can catch that and draw the button. But what msg is posted if the style property is Standard or better still how to draw the button when the style property is standard Plz help.

Have you tried catching WM_CTLCOLORBTN. I never tried it myself, but it is worth trying. wParam holds a handle to the button's device context.

"The WM_CTLCOLORBTN message is sent to the parent window of a button when the button is about to be drawn. By responding to this message, the parent window can set a button's text and background colors. "

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thanx goran, that may come handy.  

WM_DRAWITEM is meant for owner drawn items.  If you want to handle drawing the control yourself, you have these choices:

1.  Owner draw style.
2.  Subclass the control and draw it.
3.  Create your own control.

Having done all three at one time or another, owner draw is far and away the best and easiest choice.

WM_CTLCOLORBTN is handy just to change to foreground or/and background of the button, but otherwise leave it the same.

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