using GDI+ to create the actual form shape

i'm not sure if i understand wxactly what u want, but i think that u need to draw the form out in a graphic software and then apply it to the form then u have to choices: 1. use the graphics class to draw the image in all the form g.DrawImage(image1,0,0,this.Width,this.Height); but the better way is: 2. this.BackgroundImage = image1; hope i can help with that

Mike Thanks for the info it does help, but my main goal is to be able to design a form front-end, in a program like adobe illustrator or adobe photoshop and then be able to reference this in the actualy code. This way I would be able to create any form look I want and then just adjust the functionanlity of the backend through the code. Thanks again for the help Mike, if you have any more ideas to achieve what Im talking about that would be a real help. Jopheso :)

Hi jopheso, Depends what you want to do. If you want to turn the form into a new shape, you can change the Region property of the form by overriding the Form_Paint event handler shown below. This code will turn the form into an ellipse. (You may want to also change BorderStyle to None. Doing this however, eliminates control over dragging the form. ) private void Form1_Paint(object sender, System.Windows.Forms.PaintEventArgs e) { Graphics g = e.Graphics; GraphicsPath gp = new GraphicsPath(); gp.AddEllipse(ClientRectangle); this.Region = new Region(gp); g.FillEllipse(Brushes.Red, ClientRectangle); } If you just want to enhance the existing form, and keep it rectangular, you can draw 3D Effects right on the form by drawing shades of gray lines around the edges of the form in the Form_Paint override Hope this helps! -Mike