MetaDraw

Quick Tips for Getting Started with MetaDraw

The following tips are intended as a very quick introduction on how to use MetaDraw. What is presented here basically scratches the surface of what you can do, but it should give a good feel for how easy the control is to work with and should help you get started.

1. Loading

   To load in an image into the main picture ( drawing area) the VB Syntax would be:

   MetaDRAW.LoadPicture FName$, Pic_Picture

   where FName is a string specifying the full path to the file.

   To load as a background, first load as main picture ( as above), then copy to the background by setting the BackPicture property to the Picture property, and now remove from the foreground by calling Clear. Finally set the PictureOptions property so the background scrolls and zooms with the main drawing layer.

2. Creating an Image

   To add a graphic element to the overall image, use the AddObject method.

   MDraw1.AddObject ObjType%, X1&, Y1&, X2&, Y2&

   Where the object type is

   1 - Line	6 - Pie (sector)
   2 - Rectangle	7 - Chord
   3 - Rounded Rectangle	8 - Polyline
   4 - Ellipse (circle)	9 - Polygon
   5 - Arc	10 - Text

   X1, Y1, X2, Y2 are long integers from 0 to 1000 (the default coordinate system)

3. Adding Text

   To add text, use the AddObject method to add a text object, then specify the text property.

   MDraw1.AddObject OT_Text, x1, y1, x2, y2

   MDraw1.Text = "some text"

   MDraw1.FontName = "arial"

   MDraw1.FontSize = 10

4. Adding Graphics

   To add graphic elements use AddObject and then specify additional parameters.

   MDraw1.AddObject OT_Rectangle, 100, 100, 200, 200

   MDraw1.LineWidth = 2

   MDraw1.FillStyle = 3

   MDraw1.ObjVisible = True

   Additional properties and methods allow merging of images, changing the number and placement of points in a polygon/polyline...

5. End user Drawing

   To allow end user drawing just set the EditMode MDraw1.EditMode = editmodevalue where editmodevalue can be

   0 - View Only	6 - Pie (sector)
   1 - Line	7 - Chord
   2 - Rectangle	8 - Polyline
   3 - Rounded Rectangle	9 - Polygon
   4 - Ellipse (circle)	10 - Text
   5 - Arc	11 - Allow Selection, Resize and Drag
   12 - Rotate

   The user then just clicks/drags the mouse to draw.

6. Scrolling and Zooming

   To Zoom in or out, change PicXSize/PicYSize

   MDraw1.PicXSize = ScaleFactor * MDraw1.OrigWidth

   MDraw1.PicYSize = ScaleFactor * MDraw1.OrigHeight

   To Scroll programmatically just set the PicXOfs and PicYOfs properties.

7. HotSpots

   Every object in MetaDraw may be created as a HotSpot. This means that MetaDraw will generate a unique event when the mouse moves over the hotspot, or when the hotspot is clicked.

   To make an object in MetaDraw into a hotspot, or Hitable object - set the ObjHotSpot property. This may be done when the object is first added to the image or when it is selected (programmatically or by an end user).

   Note that each object may also be assigned a string type Tag - this can be used to identify the object or to help determine what text should be shown or action taken when the hotspot is activated.

   Each object may also be set to be invisible - for hotspots this is helpful if you don't actually want to display show the border of the hotspot area. The ObjVisible property is only used when in read-only mode (MetaDraw.EditMode = 0).

   MetaDraw.AddObject OT_Rectangle, X1, Y1, X2, Y2

   MetaDraw.ObjHotSpot = OS_CURSOR + OS_HOTSPOT + OS_CLICK

   MetaDraw.ObjTag = "Sales here are 500"

   MetaDraw.ObjVisible = False

   In response to mouse movement over a HotSpot, MetaDraw will trigger an On_HotSpot event. In response to clicking on a Hitable object, MetaDraw will trigger a HitObject event.

   Sub MDraw_HitObject(X As Integer, Y As Integer)

   MsgBox MetaDraw.ObjTag

   End Sub

8. More on Hotspots - worfking with HS Editor

   For more information on how to quickly create Hotspots using the HS Editor Utility included with MetaDraw see Quick Tips on Hotspots

9. Anything Else

   To do anything else - just ask. Click on Support

   For real power, try MetaDraw 3, download MetaDraw 3 install kit and see what it can do for you!

10. Enjoy

    MetaDraw is a serious tool, but beyond exceptional reliability and flexibility - it's also easy to use and really alot of fun (but don't tell your boss).