How do I create a GIF in VB?

[mmbsports]

Basically, I have a form that has moveable objects on it. Once the user moves the objects in the location he/she would want them to be in, I want my program to take a snapshot (of sorts) of that form in order to create a GIF so I can place the GIF on a web page for viewing...and I'll save the GIF to the harddrive for future reference.

I reviewed the MS KB and from there it almost reads as if this is possible, but I have ran into a deadend.

I did find this site, which was cool, but it converts an ascii file into a bitmap...close, but no cigar.

http://www.catenary.com/howto/text2img.html

Thanks for any help this forum might provide.

 

[BobRodes]

You could find a way to send a Shift/Prtsc and then capture the clipboard contents. Not sure how to do this. There's probably a better way to do it using the API, too. But that's where I'd begin looking.

 

[dglienna]

Google GIF89.DLL, which allows you to convert JPG to GIF.
I've posted an example on another forum under the same user name.

David

 

[mmbsports]

There seems to be a problem with GIF89.DLL. I've seen allot of programmers complain about it hosing up a user's computer. I would prefer to stay away from items like that. THANK YOU THOUGH!! I appreciate any ideas!

The clipboard is an idea I will look into further. I didn't think about that way. And i know VB allows you to extract from the clipboard as well.

However, there must be a way to capture my data that is within the "frame" object that is on my form and make it into a bitmap or gif. If anyone else has an idea, I would appreciate some advice.

Thanks!

 

[strongm]

>make it into a bitmap

Do a keyword search in this forum. We've provided multiple examples on how to do this, so you should be able to find a suitable one.

>or gif

I've provided at least one example of how to do this in VB without use of a 3rd party DLL ( or having to understand the gif file format, although it does use a TLB to give proper access to Microsoft's GDI+, which isn't normally VB friendly). Again, a keyword search should be your first port of call

 

[mmbsports]

I did a search previously and found these..and many others:

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1023694

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=760856

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=724900

They come close to what I am asking, but doesn't provide the answer.

I guess maybe I am overlooking the answer...or thinking too hard.

The easiest answer I found is that if all my objects were contained in a picturebox, then I can simply use the save feature the picturebox provides...too easy. The problem is, my objects (which are many pictureboxes) are contained in the frame object.

If only there is a way to capture the content in the frame object and save it as a gif or bitmap like you do with picturebox...that is what I want to do. OR, find the x,y pos of the frame object, and capture the contents within the x,y and save as bitmap...

I'll continue to search, but so far I have come up empty handed.

Once I find a solution, I will post it here...with full code...so that everyone can have access to it without hunting around like I have.

If you have further suggestions, that would be great!

THANKS!!

 

[mmbsports]

A valuable member of this forum figured out how to do this on the fly.

refer to thread222-1157687 for complete instructions.

It is possible to create a bmp within a picturebox containing with dynamic labels and other objects. the code provided is plug and play!! Outstanding Code!