If GDI+ is available, the tree control supports additional features not otherwise available:

• Image support for PNG, TIFF, JPEG, GIF, Exif, EMF+, EMF (GDI+ images) with full support for alpha-blended (translucent and semi-transparent) images (e.g., NETImageObject)
• Rounded outline rectangle with gradient fill for selected items, highlighted items (flyby highlighting) or drop target items (OutlineStyle)
• Transition effects for expand/collapse buttons and tree lines are used when the mouse enters/leaves the tree control (MouseOverTransitionEffect)

GDI+ is always available on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and newer Windows versions. On earlier Windows versions, GDI+ is available as a redistributable for Windows 2000, Windows 98, and Windows Me from Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) as part of the Platform SDK (Windows XP and newer). Usually, it is sufficient to simply distribute the Dll gdiplus.dll in your application directory.

If GDI+ support is not available, the features are simply disabled and alternate presentation methods are used, if available.

An application can test whether GDI+ is available using the GDIPlusSupport property.