The GDI [size=9px](iow yes, the WinAPI)[/size]

Which is to say that the only thing that is using DirectDraw is the TDDraw overlay component. All else is much like a normal Windows app which used the GDI or WinAPI to draw all your forms and components.

Putting the hint depends all on how you want your layout, you can try to work something outside of the constraints of the TDXDraw 'overlay', but you may get artifacts and you'll have to devise something with the components you have OR you'll have to use the canvas, which I'm not 100% sure will draw over a TDXDraw component? Can someone verify that last one for me?


Another possible option, if you are using either a standard TForm or TDXForm for your game [size=9px](either will work)[/size], you can add a status bar and just place your hints in there?