The issue that I opened about VS 2010 Beta 1 command pictures supporting for the first time 32-bit bitmaps with alpha channel for transparency but not RGB=0,254,0 as in previous Visual Studio versions has been resolved by Microsoft for Beta 2:
Custom pictures in CommandBarButtons created by add-in don’t show a transparent background
http://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/ViewFeedback.aspx?FeedbackID=461192
So, while we’ll have to wait until we get the VS 2010 Beta 2 bits to test all this, Microsoft seems to have solved in a very acceptable way the nightmares of bitmap transparency for add-ins:
- Command pictures will support 32-bit bitmaps with alpha channel (new way, first time) or RGB=0,254,0 for transparent color (old way)
- Toolwindow pictures will support 32-bit bitmaps with alpha channel or RGB=255,0,255 for transparent color (old way).
Bottom line:
- If your add-in only targets VS 2010 you can use 32-bit bitmaps with alpha channel for everything and forget about old hacks. While it seems that icons will not be supported (a long-time request from me) you can use transparent bitmaps.
- If you have to support VS 2005/2008 yet, you can still use the old hacks (some special RGB color) in VS 2010 and keep a single bitmap set.