Graph4VO
Graphics Library for CA-Visual-Objects
If you prefere to read in German language, please use the Liesmich.doc file!
Wenn Sie lieber in Deutscher Sprache lesen möchten, benutzen Sie bitte die Datei Liesmich.doc !
Graphics4VO is developed for use with CA-Visual Objects (Version 2.0, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 and higher). It is based on 32-Bit-WINDOWS-API. The library allows development of graphics oriented CA-Visual Objects applications for 32-Bit Windows operating systems.
Graphics4VO is an add-on library providing graphic capabilities for VO GUI classes. Existing programs can be enhanced to produce graphic images with very little extra code.
The Graphics Library Graphics4VO includes classes, methods and functions for integration of graphic elements into Windows applications. It could be used to add graphics to existing applications with minimum labor, or for new development. knowledge of Windows graphics handling or of Windows API-programming is not required.
With the graphics library Graphics4VO various graphics output on the screen, to the printer, to the plotter, into the bitmap- and metafile and into the memory bitmap are possible. Beside elementary pixel graphics and graphic primitives a lot of business and presentation graphics is provided such as bar charts, pie charts or line charts, mathematical coordinate systems, function graphs and fractals in a simple way. Beyond that graphics from other programs or scanned pictures in files with different bitmap or vector graphics formats or ArcView shapes can be imported into the own application. Efficient coordinate transformations into world coordinate systems save the conversion work and guarantee the uniform representation on different devices. The GUI classes made available by CA-Visual Objects receive ability to graphic representation by Graphics4VO. The implementation of graphics into existing programs is very simple therefore to accomplish.
The Library is based upon a very fast graphics display mechanism that allows an exceptionally quick screen drawing. Repainting of an uncovered window is performed from an internal image-bitmap at a speed that makes it not noticeable to the eye. There is no need for the subsequent reconstruction of graphics.
Classes, methods and functions for producing graphic output in user applications are available with declarations in both English and German language in the source headers and in the documentation.
Graphics4VO is available as DLL for download from the internet adress http://www.killetsoft.de/graph32e.htm as shareware. The application, into which Graphics4VO is linked, makes attentive on the shareware status by an occasionally faded in small reference display window. The shareware version may not be used in commercial programs.
Graphics4VO can be used also as full version in commercial programs, if the unlock parameter for the DLL or the documented source code from the manufacturer are acquired under the internet address specified above. Under that internet asdress are also a price list and the license conditions to be found. By unlocking or the use of the source code no more reference display windows are indicated.
Graphics4VOs functionality is demonstrated with a comprehensive fully functional sample program that can be downloaded from the same internet site. The source code of the sample program is in the graphtst.aef file. It contains multiple programming examples, which should be helpful for using and developing graphic routines in your own applications.
Operating systems
Applications developed with Graphics4VO should run under Microsoft WINDOWS 95 / 98 / 2000 / NT / XP and all operating systems compatible with CA-Visual Objects development suite.
Installation
Graphics4VO is distributed on a CD-ROM or it can be downloaded from the internet.
Important: before starting installation close all running applications, except for the Windows Explorer. Running applications can use files needed by the installation program. Failure to close running applications can cause Windows to crash, which is more of inconvenience, rather then of any significant consequence. In case Windows crashes during installation restart the computer.
Installation from CD-ROM
Insert the CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. Start the Windows Explorer. Navigate to the CD-ROM icon to display the contents of the CD-ROM. Click on the Program SETUP icon in the Graphics4VO directory. The installation will start.
Installation from the Internet download file
After the download from the Internet use PkUnZip or WinZip decompression utility to uncompress the download file into a folder of your choice. In that folder locate Program SETUP icon and click it. The installation will start.
Import into the CA-Visual Objects Repository
After the installation some files are available for the import into the development system:
graphlib.dll: This file contains the graphics library Graphics4VO. It must be present in the calling directory of the application using the graphics library and in the BIN directory of CA-Visual Objects.
Since the graphlib.dll is dependent on the used Visual Objects version, different DLLs are put down in subdirectories of the installation directory:
Subdirectory VO20: for useing with Visual Objects version 2.0
Subdirectory VO25: for useing with Visual Objects version 2.5
Subdirectory VO26: for useing with Visual Objects version 2.6
Subdirectory VO27: for useing with Visual Objects version 2.7
All other files do not depend on the Visual Objects version.
If there are no subdirectories with Visual Objects dependent versions of graphlib.dll these files are differentiated by their names. After the selection of the desired Visual Objects version the file must be renamed to the original file name:
Rename gralib20.dll to graphlib.dll for Visual Objects version 2.0
Rename gralib25.dll to graphlib.dll for Visual Objects version 2.5
Rename gralib26.dll to graphlib.dll for Visual Objects version 2.6
Rename gralib27.dll to graphlib.dll for Visual Objects version 2.7
graphint.aef: The interface for the graphics library Graphics4VO. This file must be imported into the CA-Visual Objects Repository. The application receives there from the classes, method and function calls on the graphics library contained in graphlib.dll.
graphtst.aef: The file contains the source code of the examples program. The source text as composition of many examples can be used to develop own applications with graphic components. The file can be imported into the CA-Visual Objects Repository.
There are some conditions, which must be fulfilled for the enterprise of the samples program. Let all files from the download together in the installation directory after the installation. Import first the interface file graphint.aef into your CAVO Repository. Import thereafter the samples program graphtst.aef. Load the entity "getPfad" from the module "_ Functions" into the editor. Change the indication of path in the line "gcPfad: = ' C:\...'" with the path of the installation directory. If you regard the few lines of source code in the editor notice that the file graphtst.aef must be present in the installation directory, so that the samples program can find all necessary DBF- and graphics files. Before compiling the program there must be changed some resources in the module "_Resources" with the path of the installation directory. Please do not forget to link the graphics interface in the repository under Application / Properties / Libraries.
graphlib.aef: This file contains the complete source code of the graphics library. This file is present only if acquired a license containing the source code.
The file must be imported into the CA-Visual Objects Repository and is used there as internal library. If the message "Library UNLOCK not found" is shown while import, you can ignore these without loss.
There is a DEFINE named USE_UNLOCK in the module _readme. You must set this DEFINE to FALSE. It is only to add the DLL version of Graphics4VO an unlock function.
There is a DEFINE named USE_CAPAINT in the module _readme. Set the DEFINE to TRUE if you wish to use CA-Paint for additional graphics file formats PCX, TIF, PNG, TGA, and PCT. Set it to FALSE if you wish to use the standard graphics file formats BMP, JPG, GIF, EMF, WMF, RLE, DIB, ICO and CUR only.
There are two DEFINEs named CURHAND and ICOKILSOFT in the module _resources. You will need to change the paths for them to your development environment. The two resource files are contained in the supplied zip file.
To use graphics with your own applications please link the Library "Graphics4VO
Library" under the menu option "Application / Properties / Libraries" to your
application.
Additional notes in the source
Please consider also the notes in _readme modules of the AEF files!
Unlocking the DLL version
With the acquisition of the full version of Graphics4VO you receive a license agreement from the selling company. The DLL version of the graphics library Graphics4VO must be unlocked for the unrestricted use. In addition the function freeGraphics4VO() must be called with the unlock code and the name of the licensee, as they are registered in the license agreement, from the application using the graphics library. Unlocking prevents that inside the application no reference display windows with comments on shareware are opened.
Example:
freeGraphics4VO("45329-12066","MicroModia Inc. - New York")
Deinstallation
In the Graphics4VO start menue an icon is available for the deinstallation.
Help
The help files in Englisch or German language contains global information to the graphics library. The descriptions of parameters for all graphic classes, methods and functions can be found there. The help can be called from the Graphic4VO start menue or from the OS.
Price list
Prices and a purchase order form for the order of the professional version of the graphics library you will find in the Graphics4VO start menue.
C. Killet Softwareentwicklung GbR
Postbox 400225
D-47896 Kempen (Germany)
Fone: ++49 (0)2152 961127
Fax: ++49 (0)2152 961128
mail: killet@killetsoft.de
site: http://www.killetsoft.de
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