Layering Images on a report

[ghalewood]

Hi Everyone,

I have a report which shows the view of a fantasy world. The view consists of a number of image controls stacked on each other. The view was created by placing the furthest controls and bringing them to the front, placing the next nearest and bringing them to the front etc etc. I can then assign the correct image during the detail format as the report is created.

The actual images to be assigned to the controls have transparency so that you will be able to see the top half of a mountain above the nearer plains, but if a mountain is in front of you, then you see only it.

I need to be able to add an image on the fly which will represent an army or similar moving object. This will be in front of the image for the same map location, but behind the next nearest location. Depending on what is nearer, you may or may not be able to see the army.

If anyone can remember 'Lords of Midnight', the view is built in a similar way.

I cannot find how you determine or set the layer position for an image control. Can anyone help me?

Thank You.
Graham

 

[Crowley16]

there isn't an layer property in access controls, you'll have to use the move to front/back method like you've done with the other controls, or you could make the particular image invisible...

have you ever considered using a animated gif or a set of static images?

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Procrastinate Now!

 

[ghalewood]

I'm actually finishing off a play-by-mail or a play by e-mail as it is now until I can get my PHP/ASP/SQL etc (<-- web stuff) skills up a bit (well actually get some) so the results can be viewed online.

The map is about 100 * 75 squares and the character can be on any one of them and looking in any of 8 directions and I can't see any other way of getting a characters view, than building it up when the report is produced.

I am using static images and need to calculate what terrain type each square represents and assign a small EMF in the picture property of an image control and then write the whole thing to a SNP and mail it with all the other reports for the player. (all that is working btw)

Do you know if images added during the detail format will stack correctly. I can add the images in order when the report is being produced. What I don't want to do is double up on the number of image controls just for these moving characters.

I don't mind quick and dirty as the whole results process is likely to be replaced. I just need to try and get the thing in testing to iron out any problems, while I am looking at web programming.

Thanks
Graham

 

[Crowley16]

the images will stack up correctly if you do it correctly in code, and you can always make sure by using a move to front/back command after adding each image...

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Procrastinate Now!