Image field utilization

[hov333]

Happy Friday all,

I'm attempting to implement some images into our database which will help the user better identify items. I read that its best to separate Character fields from Image fields so I have created 2 tables and linked them through a set based on a PartID field. I have a Parts table (part ID, description, manufacturer etc) and an Images table (part ID, image1, image2). I thought to setup the image fields to Jpeg image rather than Image Reference for the sake of not losing links. The images will be small as not to take up too much time loading. Hopefully I'm on the right track with this so far, if not, please comment.

The next step is to setup a method for the user to easily capture images of these products and link them to the existing records of the Parts Table (parent table). Is there a built-in method to capture images? So far I only see "Import Image" which implies that I'll have to open another program to take the picture, name it something, save it to disk, import the record, and finally delete the original file once its imported...I'd like to press a button on the form to capture and import into the db all at once without depending on third part software or creating extra files.

Surely there is a simple way to capture and add images to the table. I will greatly appreciate any suggestions or ideas.
Thanks!

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Image field utilization

See the documentation for Placing Bitmap and JPEG Image Fields

There's script snippet near the end.

[hov333]

Re: Image field utilization

I see the snipit but don't understand it's purpose...
All it does is creates a new record after selecting a file to import.

Is there a plug-in that allows me to capture the image using a webcam and automatically fill it into the record?

[DaveM]

Re: Image field utilization

If you can name the image and place it in the proper folder? as: 123.jpg which would match the record number in the table, then as a new record is entered in that table it creates the path to the image. it would automatically be connected.

Depending on your database type, you probably do NOT want the images imbedded into the table.

You may also want to look at an image software that can resize the images for space purposes.


My daughter just sent images that were over 1 megabyte each. That is not easily handled and since they are going on a web site, I had to resize to thumbs and display size.

[Tom Henkel]

Re: Image field utilization

We capture employee and client photos and signatures using twain image capture devices (Kodak USB camera and TOPAZ signature pads). Those images are stored in a separate folder identified by employee number or client number. In our system, on a fetch record event on the form that displays the images, we point the bitmap object to the image file (all jpg's) and it displays properly. If you only want the image displayed on a button click, you could display it in a dialog box.


Tom

[Sandy Garrett]

Re: Image field utilization

We scan the little images in Irfanview, Copy, and in A5 rightclick, Paste from clipboard. Larger images are kept as separate files.

[hov333]

Re: Image field utilization

it looks like I will have to look outside of alpha since there is no on-step solution. While we are on the topic of images, I have different question regarding a general bitmap image loaded into my code library that I would like to display as a popup (xdialog window?) when the user presses a button on a form. Could someone help by sharing how to code this? What's best:
-code an xdialog box action onpush button in the form, or
-write the code in the library and save it as a script and then run the script when the button is pressed,
is there a difference here?

[DaveM]

Re: Image field utilization

Key here is where do you save an image in a table?? I think that goes into a memo type field that is done at 2 gig which is not much when images are used. It is better to use an image reference field. reference the image to the table field. Many ways to do this. Selwyn or Richard layed this out a year or two ago where it can be done dynamically. It is here in the forum someplace.

Try Here:
http://msgboard.alphasoftware.com/al...ighlight=image

[Tom Henkel]

Re: Image field utilization

USING THE TWAIN DEVICE, i DON'T NEED TO DO ANY CUTTING AND PASTING.


Here is the code we use to capture the image, crop it to size, then save it to disk using the employee badge number as the image name.

dim tble as P
tble = table.current()
ans1 = ui_get_radio("Do you need a Photo, Signature, or Both","both","Photo","Signature","Both")
if ans1 = ""
	ui_msg_box(agency+" Personnel System","Action Cancelled at User Request")
	end 
end if 
if ans1 = "signature"
	goto getsig
end if
tw = ole.create("TwainControlX.Twain")

for i = 0 to tw.devicecount
	if tw.devicename(i) = "Kodak DVC325 Digital Video Camera"
		tw.currentdevice = i
	end if
next i
photostart:
a5.Minimize()

tw.acquire()

a5.Maximize()	

filename = "g:\bcbss\photo"+chr(92)+alltrim(str(tble.badge_no))+".jpg"
oldfile =  "g:\bcbss\photo"+chr(92)+alltrim(str(tble.badge_no))+"o.jpg"

if file.exists(oldfile)
	file.remove(oldfile)
end if
if file.exists(filename)
	file.rename(filename,oldfile)
end if
tw.savetofile(filename)
'now resynch to the new file
if .not.file.exists(filename)
	'user hit "cancel" in photo prog
	ui_msg_box(Agency +" Photo Capture","Action Cancelled at User Request")
	file.rename(oldfile,filename)
	goto getsig
end if
'go to external photo editor to crop
if file.exists(filename) then 
	sys_open(filename)
else
	ui_msg_box("Error Opening File","File "+filename+" does not exist.",ui_stop_symbol)
end if 

'Pause the script for a instant until the user interface has finished repainting.
ui_msg_box(Agency +" Photo Capture","Continue?")
'display a message box
f = file.open(filename,FILE_RO_SHARED)
ui_bitmap_load("temp",f.readb(10000000))
f.close()
DIM SHARED varC_result1 as C
heading_string = "Is the Picture OK?"
yes_button_label = "&Yes"
no_button_label = "&No"
cancel_button_label = "&Cancel"
varC_result1 = ui_dlg_box("Photo Confirmation",<<%dlg%
	{region}
	{text=30,1:heading_string};
	{endregion};
	{region}
	{image=temp}
	{endregion};
	{line=1,0};
	{region}
	<*15=yes_button_label!Yes> <*15=no_button_label!No> <15=cancel_button_label!Cancel>
	{endregion};
	%dlg%)
if varC_Result1 = "No"
	ui_msg_box(Agency+" Photo Capture","Please Try Again")
	file.remove(filename)
	file.rename(oldfile,filename)
	goto photostart
elseif varC_Result1 = "Yes"
  	topparent:Bitmap1.bitmap.filename = filename
	parentform.Refresh_Layout()
else
	ui_msg_box(Agency+" Photo Capture","Action Cancelled at User Request")
	end
end if
'topparent:Bitmap1.bitmap.filename = filename
'parentform.Refresh_Layout()

Hope it helps.

Tom

[hov333]

Re: Image field utilization

Thanks for this tom, but this is way too advanced for me to comprehend. I first need to look into how to incorporate the twain drivers...I have a plain logitech webcam which I want to use. The key here is I need to be able to open a window to capture an image, and have it automatically saved in an existing images folder in the database folder. The filename should match the work_number of the particular record in order for the image reference to link. Any advice?

[Tom Henkel]

Re: Image field utilization

John,

What you are asking to do is exactly what I am doing right now. The twain drivers we use are from CIANSOFT. Go to their website and try to figure out loading the drivers and registering them.

Don't be discouraged about the code and all that. Without the help of some very impressive minds (Dr. Peter Wayne, and Finian Lennon), I still wouldn't have image capture working. Give it a whirl, and if you run into a couple of speed bumps along the way, just know that there is a whole army of folks more than willing to give you a hand.

The end result is you'll look like a hero, and you will be well on your way to serious x-basic coding.

Do a search for "twain" in the forum. You will see many posts with examples.

Tom

[hov333]

Re: Image field utilization

So i'm trying to use the code you shared with the exception of the signature capture.

'Date Created: 26-Jun-2013 12:50:48 PM
'Last Updated: 26-Jun-2013 01:58:43 PM
'Created By  : USER
'Updated By  : USER
dim tble as P
tble = table.current()
tw = ole.create("TwainControlX.Twain")

for i = 0 to tw.devicecount
	if tw.devicename(i) = "Kodak DVC325 Digital Video Camera"
		tw.currentdevice = i
	end if
next i
photostart:
a5.Minimize()

tw.acquire()

a5.Maximize()	

filename = "C:\TH2013\Images\part_id\\"+alltrim("work_number")+".jpg"


if file.exists(oldfile)
	file.remove(oldfile)
end if
if file.exists(filename)
	file.rename(filename,oldfile)
end if
tw.savetofile(filename)

'Pause the script for a instant until the user interface has finished repainting.
ui_msg_box(Agency +" Photo Capture","Continue?")
'display a message box
f = file.open(filename,FILE_RO_SHARED)
ui_bitmap_load("temp",f.readb(10000000))
f.close()

  	topparent:Bitmap1.bitmap.filename = filename
	parentform.Refresh_Layout()

end
'topparent:Bitmap1.bitmap.filename = filename
'parentform.Refresh_Layout()

I'm getting an error at line 7. It says could not open OLE object 'TwainControX.Twain'
I don't think its registering into Alph. Any help on this?

[Tom Henkel]

Re: Image field utilization

Did you download, install and register the CIANSOFT twain drivers?

The device name

"Kodak DVC325 Digital Video Camera"

must match exactly the device you are using. This is not a "drop in the code and go" project. You need to do the prep work and understand the concepts first.

Did you read any of the posts for "Twain" first? Search for Perer Wayne's article on twain devices and read it. It helped tremendously.

Tom

[jacobe]

Re: Image field utilization

This is Dr. Wayne's article on using ActiveX to control a scanner: http://www.learn alpha.com/ActiveXControls.pdf

[Tom Henkel]

Re: Image field utilization

Jacob,

Thanks for finding that article. I have it on paper, but that doesn't do much on this forum. In the article, Dr. Wayne refers to EZTwain. When I installed EZTwain, I encountered many difficulties with my specific camera.
I did find CIANSOFT's TwainX Control, and it worked.

Tom