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Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

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    Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

    I am using a scanned image of a tax form to serve as a background when displaying certain fields. I used the bitmap tool to place the graphic (jpg) onto the work area. I tried this on a "form" and on a "letter". After placing display fields in correct places, the form was saved. I ran the form and it displayed correctly on screen. When a print preview or print is selected, the graphic background is not displayed or printed; only the field values print in their respective locations. I have played with the bitmap properties, "printable", "visible", "grow", "shrinkable", "on top" as well as the initial setup when selecting the file trying both "absolute" and "stretch" without success. I have tried several tests just ploping an image on a blank letter. I did get the graphic to print but it was only sized about 2"x 2" incorrectly. I was trying to print a 8.5" x 11". On screen it looked correct. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

    #2
    Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

    Forms are designed for display.

    Create a new report based on the same table/set as the form. (Start from blank report.)
    With the new report choose the Report menu, Import, Form.
    Select your designed form and see if you get better results printing that.
    There can be only one.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

      Stan,

      I tried your suggestion but did not succeed. The form copied into the report and appeared on screen correctly. I saved and ran the new report. The print preview disclosed only the fields and no background bitmap. I also tried a new blank report and used the bitmap tool to create a large enough area for the graphic. The graphic properties allow for "printing" and "visible". Nothing shows up in the print preview or on the printed page. Any other thoughts? I was going to attach a screen capture video but direct file attachment isn't available for videos.

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

        I have several reports I created with a bitmap for the background. I haven't tried it with jpg but here is the setting for the bitmap that works even when printing

        bmprep.png
        Robin

        Discernment is not needed in things that differ, but in those things that appear to be the same. - Miles Sanford

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

          Thank you Robin. I will change the format of the graphic and try the embedded option. Attached is a link to a video I made of my problem.

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

            I must be doing something wrong and need to read the instructions.

            I prepared a png and a bmp file to test on the report. I created a simple database with one field. I created a report and inserted the graphic file in using the bitmap tool. The bitmap is visible while the report is being edited. I save the report, open it and there is no bitmap. The png, bmp and jpg files yield the same results. I receive the same results if I right click on either the header or detail sections of the report and insert a bitmap as a background using the property settings. Maybe it has something to do with the size of the graphic file, This should be a simple process. Arghhh!

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

              Hi George,

              I would not place the graphic in the detail section as I assume the data here is for a single record.

              Have you thought about using the Letter layout? The other method is to first create the background as PDF. Run your report and Merge with the PDF.
              Regards
              Keith Hubert
              Alpha Guild Member
              London.
              KHDB Management Systems
              Skype = keith.hubert


              For your day-to-day Needs, you Need an Alpha Database!

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

                Hi Keith,

                No, I have not thought of merging a letter with a PDF. My form originated as a PDF in the first place. I was not aware that there was a "merge" available on the letter creation aspect. I will try your approach later this morning. I am approaching the point where I will pay Alpha for support. Surely my setup is incorrect as others are able to use some type of bitmap file as a background on which fields are placed in a printed report, form or letter.

                Thank you for your suggestion!

                Best regards,

                George

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

                  Keith,

                  I used the "letter" tool and created a letter. I put the 8.5"x11" image as a background in the header area. I placed the fields in the appropriate places. Saved the "letter" and ran it. The background graphic was not displayed and did not appear in a printout. Only the fields printed; just like the report I tried. On the merging with a PDF idea, I don't see this ability within the task bar under any item. I conclude I do not know what you are referring to.

                  Thanks for your help. I am back home over the weekend where my books and resources are located. I will try reading the directions in the report & letter creation areas.

                  Best regards,

                  George

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

                    try a report instead of a letter????
                    Dave Mason
                    [email protected]
                    Skype is dave.mason46

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

                      Thanks Dave. Unfortunately in earlier posts, I stated I was having the same problem whether using a "report", a "letter" or printing a "form".

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

                        Hi George,

                        I'm not sure what you did but the PDF Merge can be found here. As I said before, you need to create your background pdf first, run your letter and save as pdf then merge the two files now you will have your finished document which is the result of the two merged files.
                        Regards
                        Keith Hubert
                        Alpha Guild Member
                        London.
                        KHDB Management Systems
                        Skype = keith.hubert


                        For your day-to-day Needs, you Need an Alpha Database!

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

                          this is a jpg file used as a background on a report with 4 fields on it scattered around shown in a preview done with a button from a form.?.?.? In an earlier post, you showed a movie of placing the bitmap in the detail section. I moved it all to a detail section and it still previews the same.

                          I am on xp3 if that matters and it really shouldn't. I will try it later on a win7 64 computer.
                          Last edited by DaveM; 09-03-2011, 12:54 PM.
                          Dave Mason
                          [email protected]
                          Skype is dave.mason46

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

                            Dear Dave & Keith

                            I am using Windows 7 64bit. I agree that the operating system should not matter. I have several Windows machines here but all are Windows 7 64 Bit systems except for the Ubuntu 11.4 units. I have experimented with making a one field database and creating a form, a letter and a report. All give the same results when a print preview is done -> only the field appears, no graphic background. Mr Impatient, my boss, is wanting some results next week. Looks like I will make an Excel spreadsheet or an Access database to keep the data in and merge the data with a Word document using my scanned forms as a background. Then use Outlook to email the saved Word documents converted to PDF format to the desired recipients. My goal was to have all the work done in one application. I will keep working on this problem over the Labor Day weekend. If I realize results, I will let you know what I did differently to get it to work. If I don't succeed, I will pay Alpha for a "mentor" and have them do a remote control session with me. If they end up saying it is a Windows 7 64 bit issue, I will be disturbed and $100 lighter in the pocket.

                            I have the books on developing desktop and web applications using Version 10 from the Alpha store. Neither book covers the menu driven option of using a bitmap as a background in the reports & letters sections. (Alpha Five Made Easy by Susan H. Bush & Alpha 5 v10 Web Applications by Martin Heller) Perhaps there is a reason.

                            With respect to Keith's suggestion of using the "merge()" function, I am not a code level user. The function takes (PDF1 + PDF2) to result in (PDF3). While this sounds nice, it feels like a good deal of trial printing to get the fields to display in just the correct place after the merge. Additionally, to my knowledge, Alpha does not internally support a print preview or an email preview of a PDF file. If it does, it does not appear to be a normal part of a non-code level user's repertoire. I really appreciate you both taking an interest in my problem!

                            Best regards,

                            George

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Printing graphics as a background - Only fields are printed - Graphic disappears

                              George,

                              I just put an app on win7 HOME 64bit and viewed + printed the same report as above(#13) and it worked great.

                              Maybe there is a setting in your windows or printer? I am not sure. I tried the jpg imbedded and with file. Took a little time to do, but it did work.

                              Is it possible that developing on xp has something to do with it?? I don't have a win7 64 set up for development yet.
                              Dave Mason
                              [email protected]
                              Skype is dave.mason46

                              Comment

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