Tips for using ImageMan with MetaDraw

Using MetaDraw and ImageMan together is EASY
giving you POWER and FLEXIBILITY

Use MetaDraw for its support of vector image formats,
for annotation / drawing, for hotspots and diagramming.

Use ImageMan for its support of many raster image formats,
its scanning support, and its support for raster operations
( eg: brightness adjustment, contrast adjustment )

These notes below are intended only as an introduction.
Both MetaDraw and ImageMan offer an array of powerful features.
Please check out the documentation for each for further details.

1. To copy an image from ImageMan into MetaDraw

   ** Set one of MetaDraw's picture properties to ImageMan's vbPicture property

   • Set MetaDraw image from ImageMan MetaDraw.Picture = ImageMan.vbPicture
   • Merge image into existing MetaDraw image MetaDraw.PictureClip = ImageMan.vbPicture
   • Set MetaDraw editing to allow user insertion of ImageMan image with mouse ' insert picture into MetaDraw buffer
     MetaDraw.PictureImage = ImageMan.vbPicture
     ' put user into merge image drawing mode
     MetaDraw.EditMode = ED_IMAGE The user can draw this image into MetaDraw at any location with the mouse.
   • Set Background layer in MetaDraw ( behind annotation layer ) ' Set the background layer
     MetaDraw.BackPicture = ImageMan.vbPicture
     ' Synchronize scroll and zoom of background with annotation layer
     MetaDraw.PictureOptions = MetaDraw.PictureOptions OR PICOPT_PICTUREBACKGROUND
     
   ** NOTE - the above is for OCX editions of MetaDraw
                   and ImageMan
                   For .NET editions use 'MetaDraw1.LoadPicture(AxImageControl1.Picture, _
   BTIS.MetaDraw.PictureSource.Picture, _
   BTIS.MetaDraw.PictureType.None)

2. To copy back from MetaDraw to ImageMan

   Set ImageMan's vbPicture with one of MetaDraw's Picture properties

   Note that the PictureType must be set to Bitmap for the transfer but once transferred the image may be saved in any supported image format.
   Also note that the background layer may be included or not depending on the setting of the ExportOptions property.
   

   • Copy MetaDraw Annotation Layer to ImageMan ' Set MetaDraw's PictureType property to PICTYPE_BITMAP for transfer ' Image can be later saved by ImageMan in any ImageMan format MetaDraw.PictureType = PICTYPE_BITMAP
     ' Specify that Background Layer should NOT be included MetaDraw.ExportOptions = MetaDraw.ExportOptions AND NOT EXOPT_BACKGROUND ' Copy the Picture ImageMan.vbPicture = MetaDraw.Picture
   • Copy complete MetaDraw picture - including background layer to ImageMan ' Set MetaDraw's PictureType property to PICTYPE_BITMAP for transfer ' Image can be later saved by ImageMan in any ImageMan format MetaDraw.PictureType = PICTYPE_BITMAP
     ' Specify that Background Layer should be included MetaDraw.ExportOptions = MetaDraw.ExportOptions OR NOT EXOPT_BACKGROUND ' Copy the Picture ImageMan.vbPicture = MetaDraw.Picture
   • Copy selected annotations in MetaDraw to ImageMan MetaDraw.PictureType = PICTYPE_BITMAP
     MetaDraw.Current = OBJ_Selected
     ImageMan.vbPicture = MetaDraw.PictureClip

3. Within MetaDraw you can Edit Images by Code or allow end-user drawing

   • Allow End-User Drawing MetaDraw has numerous EditModes to allow different user actions. Just set the EditMode property to allow Drawing Shapes, Adding Text, Selecting Objects

     MetaDraw.EditMode = ED_ELLIPSE

   • Draw by Code MetaDraw will allow you to add new text, shapes or images to an existing image by code. Just call the AddObject method

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

4. Within ImageMan you can adjust brightness and contrast
   Scan images, save and load to a wide variety of formats

   • Adjust the Brightness Set Brightness to 0 for default brightness. Set to an integer from -1 to -255 to lighten the image or to an integer from 1 to 255 to darken it.

     ImageMan.Brightness 100

   • Adjust the Contrast The contrast ( for 16, 24 or 32 bit images ) can be adjusted independantly for Red, Green, and Blue channels

     ' reduce contrast by 50% for all colors ImageMan.Contrast 50, -1, 7