Setting the background

[lemonjuice]

How do I set a .bmp file as the background in my custom program. Can I do it in ObjectPal?

 

[jlockley]

yes, or you can do it with the standard interface for building a form. Just use the object tool.

 

[footpad]

lemonjuice,

Depends. Do you mean a background for the Paradox workspace or for a given form?

If the workspace, use something along these lines:

   setDesktopPreference( prefProjectSection, 
         prefBackgroundName, "c:\\windows\\Coffee Bean.bmp" )
   setDesktopPreference( prefProjectSection, 
         prefTileBitmap, TRUE )

For the form, well, that's a bit harder as it requires either calling the API or some tricks with Image objects. It can be done, but the work is difficult and I would seriously reconsider whether or not the final result is worth it, especially since complex backgrounds can interfere with the data entry process.
Hope this helps...

-- Lance

 

[ExCorel]

Just copy and paste in the image, then in design mode choose Format | Order | Send to back (Pdox 9), so that it doesn't cover the rest of your objects. Works in all versions, but the 'send to back' option is found in different places depending on version.

Darragh Quinn

 

[footpad]

Darragh,

Don't forget to mention that it's a good idea to set the image's Design | Contain Objects property to false to avoid any selection problems or containership issues.

-- Lance

 

[Langley]

Images add considerable size to forms and reports, and if you are dragging it over a WAN or slow network you will take a performance hit. If it's local, no problem.

Mac

"There are only 10 kinds of people in this world... those who understand binary and those who don't"

langley_mckelvy@cd4.co.harris.tx.us

 

[footpad]

In addition to Mac's thoughts, older versions of Paradox (circa Paradox 7.32) do not properly handle images with palettes larger than 256 colors.

-- Lance