property Layer.LayerClipToAlpha as Long
Returns or sets a value that indicates the value of the alpha channel to be included in the LayerClipTo region.

TypeDescription
Long A Long expression that returns or sets a value that indicates the value of the alpha channel to be included in the LayerClipTo region.
By default, the LayerClipToAlpha property is 0, which indicates that only pixels of the layer that has 0 on the alpha channel (transparent pixels) defines the transparent region, and so the clipping region. The LayerClipToAlpha property property of the Layer object, returns or sets a value that indicates the value of the alpha channel to be included in the LayerClipTo region. In other words, the value from 0 to LayerClipToAlpha defines transparent pixels, and the rest defines the opaque pixels to be included in the clipping region. So based on the layer's picture, you can change the LayerClipToAlpha property for a better look of your widget. The LayerClipTo property specifies the index of the layer that clips the entire control to. The LayerClipToParent property indicates if the LayerClipTo method clips the control itself, parent or the owner of the control.

"I would like to put the control on a form, then make the form transparent so the control appears on the desktop with just the images contained in the layers visible. For example, take a clock example and make the control background and the form transparent, and you have a working clock widget."

The control support transparent form, or in other words, displaying the control's itself without its form behind. In order to make your eXGauge control to display a widget, ( no form behind or form transparent ), you need to use the following properties:

The following VB sample defines the control as a widget:

With Gauge1
    .LayerClipTo = 0
    .LayerClipToParent = exLayerUpdateScreen
End With

The sample defines the layer with the Index 0, as being the clipping layer. The setup installs the C:\Program Files\Exontrol\ExGauge\Sample\VB\Clock-Widget-Region that shows all these working.

 

 The following screen shot shows the control on a transparent form:

 The following screen shot shows the control on an opaque form: