FD2D

FD2D is a lightweight modern C++ UI framework for Windows, implemented on top of:

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Copyright (c) 2024 EunSuk, Lee (이은석, floyd)

• Win32 (HWND, message loop)
• Direct2D (2D rendering)
• DirectWrite (text layout/rendering)
• WIC (image decode primitives)
• Optional D3D11 path (GPU texture/SRV rendering for specific controls)

FD2D is intentionally “small framework” style: a few core concepts (window/backplate, controls, layout) that you can extend without fighting a giant retained-mode system.

Key concepts

• FD2D::Application: process-level initialization and message loop.
• FD2D::Backplate: owns an HWND + render targets; drives redraw and dispatches messages to child Wnds.
• FD2D::Wnd: base class for all visual/input elements. Implements Measure/Arrange/OnRender/OnMessage.
• Panels: StackPanel, SplitPanel, ScrollView, etc. manage children and layout.
• Controls: Text, Image, Button, Spinner, etc.

Layout model

FD2D uses a modern Measure/Arrange pass:

• Measure(available) asks “how much size do you want?”
• Arrange(finalRect) assigns a rectangle to the element
• OnRender(target) draws using the computed layout rect(s)

The goal is to avoid hard-coded absolute positioning in user code.

Building

Static library (default)

Build FD2D.vcxproj (or build the top-level app which references it).

• Output: FD2D.lib
• Macro: FD2D_STATIC is used for the static-link case

Dynamic library (optional)

FD2D can also be built as a DLL.

1. Set FD2D_LINK_TYPE=Dynamic (or set ConfigurationType to DynamicLibrary).
2. When building the library: FD2D_EXPORTS is defined; outputs FD2D.dll + import FD2D.lib.
3. When consuming: do not define FD2D_STATIC; deploy FD2D.dll alongside your exe.

Usage

Include the umbrella header:

#include "FD2D/FD2D.h"

Typical flow

1. Initialize the application
2. Create or attach a backplate
3. Build a tree of Wnd controls
4. Run the message loop

The sample app in FICture2 shows end-to-end usage, including thumbnail lists and split panes.

Notes

• FD2D is DPI-aware (uses DIPs; Direct2D handles scaling).
• Message routing is “top-most wins” style: the first child that handles a message stops propagation.
• For performance, keep OnRender pure (no heavy allocations); prepare resources lazily and cache them.