Line Drawing in Alpha

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Hey Raymond, we missed something else. The original drawing has begin and end points circled.

Change the actual drawing lines to

for xq = 1 to chld_rec
evaluate_template("oval(end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"x-.02,end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"y-.02,.06,.06)")
evaluate_template("lineto(end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"x,end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"y)")
next xq

[JetLi]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Stan, Thank you so much for your help, I'm sure Alpha Five New and Advance Users will appreciate it. I'm trying to learn the commands you used in the code and the logic of how codes work that way, I tried to put some test data coming from the MS access app and I compared the output and I think your solution is more accurate,In adding some more data, I found out that the plot image is not centered, i have attached the output image, I'm trying to make it appear at the center because sometimes if i click the draw plot, the output is on the side and sometimes on top and other lines are not visible, BTW, How can we save the Image on the table so that it will be available for printing including the Header and Detail data? With all the codes given by Stan, it is probably to much for him to give all the codes for that, I'm trying to do that so that i will not be spoon fed by Stan, but being new to alpha,I just asked so that just in case I cannot solve it then maybe Stan and others will be so Kind and generous AGAIN to share their Alpha Five Knowledge to Everyone.

[Raymond Lyons]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Hey Raymond, we missed something else. The original drawing has begin and end points circled.

Change the actual drawing lines to

for xq = 1 to chld_rec
evaluate_template("oval(end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"x-.02,end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"y-.02,.06,.06)")
evaluate_template("lineto(end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"x,end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"y)")
next xq

Again, thanks Stan. However, I have had to have lot lines drawn before for building permit purposes and was never told to include starting an end points of all the lines. Of course that could easily be a user prompt to have or not have them (presumably Jetli would know how to do that--I hope).

JetLi, look at ui_printer_draw() for printing. And of course the next question how to make it larger for printing. Stan?

Raymond Lyons

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Raymond,

Feel free to offer modifications and improvements as you see fit. No need to wait for me.

JetLi,

There is much that could be added to my process. To have the drawing centered in the screen area one would likely need to total all the horizontal and vertical measurements, choose a starting point based on some calculation of those, and define the screen dimensions based on another calculation.

An alternative might be to ensure that the starting line heads south and east. This might be done by choosing the first south by east line and loop through the rest in order, returning to the first child record when the last is drawn.

There are several functions to save the bitmap created to a variable and to save that variable as a file

ui_bitmap_save()
BITMAP_TO_JPEG()

Once saved as a jpg file you can use sys_print() to print the image using the registered application for the jpg file extension. Just an alternative to ui_printer_draw().

[Raymond Lyons]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

....There are several functions to save the bitmap created to a variable and to save that variable as a file

ui_bitmap_save()
BITMAP_TO_JPEG()

Once saved as a jpg file you can use sys_print() to print the image using the registered application for the jpg file extension. Just an alternative to ui_printer_draw().

I think I prefer saving it as a bitmap and then printing it as Stan suggests. But, below is a slight alteration of Stan's code (in the middle--page_code--and at the end) that will let you print it with ui_printer_draw(). As for the other tweaks (positioning, centering, adding verbiage, etc.), that is more than I have time for right now--not that I am programming, it's just that another type of life is intervening!

Raymond Lyons

[Edit]: One needs Stan's files in an app to run the code below.

'Date Created: 01-Mar-2012 01:22:29 PM
'Last Updated: 01-Mar-2012 08:38:13 PM
'Created By  : SMathews
'Updated By  : Raymond Lyons
chld = table.current(2)
strt1x = 2
strt1y = 1
chld_rec = a5_get_records_in_query("plot_vect","lot_number = "+quote(lot_number.value))
dim vars as P
FOR qx =  1 TO chld_rec
	chld.record_to_vars(vars)
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ns") = vars.dir_ns
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ew") = vars.dir_ew
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"xmod") = if(vars.dir_ew = "E",1,-1)
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ymod") = if(vars.dir_ns = "S",1,-1)
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"lnth") = vars.distance/100
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"decdeg") = vars.bear_deg+(vars.bear_min/60)
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"adj") = cos(dtor(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"decdeg")))*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"lnth")
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"opp") = sin(dtor(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"decdeg")))*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"lnth")
	IF qx = 1
		eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx))+"x") = eval("strt"+alltrim(str(qx))+"x")+(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"xmod")*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"opp"))
		eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx))+"y") = eval("strt"+alltrim(str(qx))+"y")+(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ymod")*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"adj"))
	ELSE
		eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx))+"x") = eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx-1))+"x")+(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"xmod")*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"opp"))
		eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx))+"y") = eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx-1))+"y")+(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ymod")*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"adj"))
	END IF
	chld.fetch_next()
NEXT qx
ui_bitmap_create("test",6,6)
page_code=<<%code%
inner_Rect(0,0,6,6)
start_poly(strt1x,strt1y)
for xq =  1 to chld_rec
	evaluate_template("lineto(end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"x,end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"y)")
next xq
poly(2,1)
start_poly(4,4)
lineto(4,5)
poly(4,5)
start_poly(4,4)
lineto(3.9,4.5)
poly(4,4)
start_poly(4,4)
lineto(4.1,4.5)
poly(4,4)
TEXT("N",3.95,5.2)
%code%
ui_bitmap_draw("test",page_code)

ui_dlg_box("","{image=test}")

dim response as n
response = ui_msg_box("Print","Print Now? ",UI_QUESTION_SYMBOL+UI_FIRST_BUTTON_DEFAULT+UI_YES_NO)
if response <> 6'YES
    end
end if

dim printer as c
printer = ui_printer_default_get()
on error goto no_print
ui_printer_draw(printer, "" ,"",page_code,.T.)	'setting ".T." to ".F." does not work for me????
end
no_print:
ui_msg_box("Error","Print Canceled",UI_OK)
end

[JetLi]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Is it advisable to save the plot to a table? So that when printing records Names,Address,tel no etc. together with the image will just be extracted for printing. With thousands of records to be encoded in the future and with the image saved, will it affect the speed in searching records in Alpha? That is the main problem of the msaccess application, when users search, it takes about 3 to 5 minutes just to display/searched from 120,000 records.

[Stan Mathews]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Is it advisable to save the plot to a table?

Absolutely not. Alpha has a field type, image file reference, where you can store the location of the plot files. Using this field type saves space in the table but keeps the images available.

[JetLi]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

I think I prefer saving it as a bitmap and then printing it as Stan suggests. But, below is a slight alteration of Stan's code (in the middle--page_code--and at the end) that will let you print it with ui_printer_draw(). As for the other tweaks (positioning, centering, adding verbiage, etc.), that is more than I have time for right now--not that I am programming, it's just that another type of life is intervening!

Raymond Lyons

[Edit]: One needs Stan's files in an app to run the code below.

'Date Created: 01-Mar-2012 01:22:29 PM
'Last Updated: 01-Mar-2012 08:38:13 PM
'Created By  : SMathews
'Updated By  : Raymond Lyons
chld = table.current(2)
strt1x = 2
strt1y = 1
chld_rec = a5_get_records_in_query("plot_vect","lot_number = "+quote(lot_number.value))
dim vars as P
FOR qx =  1 TO chld_rec
	chld.record_to_vars(vars)
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ns") = vars.dir_ns
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ew") = vars.dir_ew
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"xmod") = if(vars.dir_ew = "E",1,-1)
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ymod") = if(vars.dir_ns = "S",1,-1)
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"lnth") = vars.distance/100
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"decdeg") = vars.bear_deg+(vars.bear_min/60)
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"adj") = cos(dtor(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"decdeg")))*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"lnth")
	eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"opp") = sin(dtor(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"decdeg")))*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"lnth")
	IF qx = 1
		eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx))+"x") = eval("strt"+alltrim(str(qx))+"x")+(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"xmod")*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"opp"))
		eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx))+"y") = eval("strt"+alltrim(str(qx))+"y")+(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ymod")*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"adj"))
	ELSE
		eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx))+"x") = eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx-1))+"x")+(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"xmod")*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"opp"))
		eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx))+"y") = eval("end"+alltrim(str(qx-1))+"y")+(eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"ymod")*eval("l"+alltrim(str(qx))+"adj"))
	END IF
	chld.fetch_next()
NEXT qx
ui_bitmap_create("test",6,6)
page_code=<<%code%
inner_Rect(0,0,6,6)
start_poly(strt1x,strt1y)
for xq =  1 to chld_rec
	evaluate_template("lineto(end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"x,end"+alltrim(str(xq))+"y)")
next xq
poly(2,1)
start_poly(4,4)
lineto(4,5)
poly(4,5)
start_poly(4,4)
lineto(3.9,4.5)
poly(4,4)
start_poly(4,4)
lineto(4.1,4.5)
poly(4,4)
TEXT("N",3.95,5.2)
%code%
ui_bitmap_draw("test",page_code)

ui_dlg_box("","{image=test}")

dim response as n
response = ui_msg_box("Print","Print Now? ",UI_QUESTION_SYMBOL+UI_FIRST_BUTTON_DEFAULT+UI_YES_NO)
if response <> 6'YES
    end
end if

dim printer as c
printer = ui_printer_default_get()
on error goto no_print
ui_printer_draw(printer, "" ,"",page_code,.T.)	'setting ".T." to ".F." does not work for me????
end
no_print:
ui_msg_box("Error","Print Canceled",UI_OK)
end

Where will we put the Ui_Bitmap_Save? i tried to put it before "dim printer as c" but nothing happens.

[Raymond Lyons]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Where will we put the Ui_Bitmap_Save? i tried to put it before "dim printer as c" but nothing happens.

JetLi, you are going to have to learn how to use the Help files. I went to the wiki version and quickly found some code that will at least get you started. Obviously if you have many bitmaps to save you need a way to change a hard code file name, change the target folder etc., all of which you can find in the Help files and wiki. I am not going to be able to help you any further.

That said, put the following code just after the ui_dlg_box("","{image_test"}) line.

Raymond Lyons

dim response as n
response=ui_msg_box("Save to Jpeg?", "Do you want to save this bipmap as a Jpeg file to the root of your C drive?",UI_QUESTION_SYMBOL+UI_FIRST_BUTTON_DEFAULT+UI_YES_NO)
if response=6	'yes
	saveb = ui_bitmap_save("test")
	savej = bitmap_to_jpeg(saveb)
	fptr = file.create("c:\Lot Plot.jpg", FILE_RW_EXCLUSIVE)
	fptr.writeb(savej)
	fptr.close()
end if

[JetLi]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Thank you Raymond!

[Steve Wood]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Jetli,

Can I interject a question - You want to draw shapes that represent property lots. But don't you want to draw that shape on top of a MAP of the area to show the outline of the plot in the proper context. As an example, the attached image shows a Google map wth faint lines representing property lots.

[JetLi]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Thank you Steve for the suggestion, How can we do that? is every place in this earth visible in Google MaP? Im so sorry for my ignorance.

[Steve Wood]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Now that I think of it, you cannot plot it on a map unless you have latitude / longitude for at least one of your coordinates. Your survey data is "pre-GPS" and without lat/long or an address, it is just a shape. I probably should not have interupted the discussion on making this work in Alpha.

[G Gabriel]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

This thread is interesting at several levels:
First: The title:
I am one of those who read the book by its cover. The title says something about drawing a line with alpha. I thought to myself: how hard could that be? and moved on..
But when the thread lived to see a second page.. I got curious, what seems to be the problem?
Well, it wasn't about drawing a line but rather drawing a "shape" and not any shape, but one based on a survey.
Lesson?: Choose your thread title carefully

Second:
Well, I said, what's the big deal? I wrote a function years ago to generate any shape from any given set of data. I could modify that function and post it here.
That's, until I came across a post by Ira discussing consultation fees. I am the last one to interfere with any business transaction, so I figured I'd better leave this alone.
There is no lesson here but rather a comment or two.
Some feel the message board is meant for sharing and helping one another. And it is. Some feel that it should be all free.
I don't share that sentiment even though I don't have a dog in this fight. It's perfectly OK to present your services and your consultation fees. Many users just simply don't have the time or the desire to do a project on their own. But, I'd imagine anyone will take anything if they can get it for free rather than pay for it.

And, there is a little lesson here: you get what you pay for.

The solutions provided here are great, but not complete. I am sure they can be made complete with more time and devotion. Surveys are not written the way they were presented in this thread in the form of a table and fields. Furthermore, not all plots of lands run in straight lines, many run along curves, sometimes many many curves (arcs). That was not addressed either. So, you might need a consultant after all.

Lastly, Steve Woods wanted to plot the survey on a map. Yes you can do that with an address. You don't need Latitude/Longitude. But again, many surveys don't have a municipal address but rather a legal address. In the US, surveys are based on Meridians, Sections and townships. Worse, in many rural areas, they are based on metes and bounds!
You get the idea?
Before you take on this assignment, make sure you know what you are getting into.

[JetLi]

Re: Line Drawing in Alpha

Whew, I tried but could not center it on the report,Hope someone will put the code on how to center the image once the plot button is clicked.