---
title: "GdiGraphics..::.GetHdc Method "
canonical: https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/M_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_GdiGraphics_GetHdc.htm
product: "Graphics Mill 5.5 for .NET"
---

This documentation is for the old version. [Go to the latest Graphics Mill docs](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm/)

# GdiGraphics.GetHdc Method 
 
Gets the handle to the device context (HDC) associated with this [GdiGraphics](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_GdiGraphics.htm.md) object.
 
**Namespace:** [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Drawing](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/N_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing.htm.md)
 **Assembly:** Aurigma.GraphicsMill (in Aurigma.GraphicsMill.dll)
 
## Syntax
  
```
Public Function GetHdc As IntPtr
```
 
```csharp
public IntPtr GetHdc()
```
 
### Return Value
HDC associated with this [GdiGraphics](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_GdiGraphics.htm.md) object.
 
## Remarks
  
Using this method you can get access to Windows GDI-based structure called device context. It enables you to use the [GdiGraphics](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_GdiGraphics.htm.md) object with WinAPI functions.
 
You should never release this HDC with external means. This [GdiGraphics](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_GdiGraphics.htm.md) will release it internally when being freed. It also means that this HDC is valid only while this [GdiGraphics](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_GdiGraphics.htm.md) class instance is alive. If the [GdiGraphics](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_GdiGraphics.htm.md) is created at the [Bitmap](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Bitmap.htm.md), this bitmap also should be alive.
 
Unlike analogue method in [Graphics](http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/ac148eb3), you still can call other methods of [GdiGraphics](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_GdiGraphics.htm.md). Moreover you can call this method multiple times (it will return the same value). However you should provide thread safety for access to this HDC.
   
## See Also

### Reference

- [GdiGraphics Class](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/T_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing_GdiGraphics.htm.md)
- [Aurigma.GraphicsMill.Drawing Namespace](https://www.graphicsmill.com/docs/gm5/N_Aurigma_GraphicsMill_Drawing.htm.md)