Refresh bitmap object on form

[Steve Workings]

I have a form with a bitmap object on it. A barchart, actually.

In another process, I'm re-creating the bitmap to re-draw the barchart.

But I can't figure out how to refresh, redraw or resynch anything to get the current bitmap instead of the one initially loaded with the form.

parentform, topparent, this etc. refresh, resynch, refresh_layout etc. all don't work.

Any ideas?

[Tim Kiebert]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

try

topparent:Bitmap1.Bitmap.Filename = "Your file name"

[Steve Workings]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

Dang I love this board. Two hours of looking on my part, and 5 minute solution here.

Thanks Tim.

This is actually part of the A5/FusionCharts Genie project. I'm now able to display a FusionChart on a form (or report), change the data, and have the FusionChart re-calc immediately, right on the form.

Video coming real soon.

[Tim Kiebert]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

Your welcome

Video coming real soon.

I will get the popcorn ready. :)

[Steve Workings]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

Tim - Some experience has shown that your suggestion works mostly, but sometimes not.

I'm trying to build a reliable example to work with the A5/FusionCharts Genie where you can commit the form's data, re-create the FusionChart image, and display the re-created image on the form.

I have everything working just fine, but cannot find any reliable way to re-load that bitmap (in this case, a .png.)

None of these work on a current example I have:

Bitmap1.refresh()
Bitmap1.repaint()
parentform.refresh()
parentform.resynch()
form.swap("myformnamehere")

Tim, or anyone else have another idea?

[csda1]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

Hi Steve,

Some experience has shown that your suggestion works mostly, but sometimes not.

I'm trying to build a reliable example to work with the A5/FusionCharts Genie where you can commit the form's data, re-create the FusionChart image, and display the re-created image on the form.

I have everything working just fine, but cannot find any reliable way to re-load that bitmap (in this case, a .png.)

None of these work on a current example I have:

Bitmap1.refresh()
Bitmap1.repaint()
parentform.refresh()
parentform.resynch()
form.swap("myformnamehere")

Tim, or anyone else have another idea?

I just created a new form, added a PNG bitmap, then added a button with this code

toggleimg(parentform.this)
end

And created a global function with this code

function toggleimg as C(parentptr as P)
dim shared orgimg as c
IF orgimg==""
    orgimg=parentform:bitmap1.bitmap.filename
END IF

IF filename_decode(orgimg)==filename_decode(parentform:bitmap1.bitmap.filename)
    parentform:bitmap1.bitmap.filename=filename_decode("test2.png")
ELSE
    parentform:bitmap1.bitmap.filename=filename_decode(orgimg)
END IF
END FUNCTION

When I press the button, the image toggles immediately with no other code. I suspect you have other running code or dialog boxes open, so it may not really be the same.

You should try one or both of these functions, and if both, order may matter, so try it both ways.

ui_yield()
xbasic_wait_for_idle()

When this works, let me know where to send the bill ;). If not, you got the advice for free (and worth every penny!) :D

[Steve Workings]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

Looks like that does it Ira. I'll test some more, and I need to modify to be able to manage multiple bitmap objects on a form, each with their own image.

I'll feed your PayPal account before the day is out.

Thanks!

- Steve

[csda1]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

Looks like that does it Ira. I'll test some more, and I need to modify to be able to manage multiple bitmap objects on a form, each with their own image.

I'm glad it worked out for you!

I'll feed your PayPal account before the day is out.

Or maybe a Cabelas gift card? :D

[Steve Workings]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

I've never figured you for a Cabela's guy Ira. We need to talk more.

I've tried, without success, to modify the function. There's a good chance that any one form will contain multiple FusionCharts. So I need for the user to be able to specify which bitmap objects will get refreshed with the current image. And, I'm not worried about the testing that your original function does - I'm glad to just make the run.

But, this isn't doing the job. Do you know why?:

function Refreshimg as C(objectname as c)
	dim orgimg as c
	' Get image filename for object:
	cmd = "orgimg=parentform:" + objectname + ".bitmap.filename"
	evaluate_template(cmd)
	' Re-read filename into object:
	cmd = "parentform:" + objectname + ".bitmap.filename=filename_decode(orgimg)"
	evaluate_template(cmd)
END FUNCTION

[csda1]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

Hi Steve,

I've tried, without success, to modify the function. There's a good chance that any one form will contain multiple FusionCharts. So I need for the user to be able to specify which bitmap objects will get refreshed with the current image. And, I'm not worried about the testing that your original function does - I'm glad to just make the run.

But, this isn't doing the job. Do you know why?

Yes.












Oh...you wanted an answer? :)

There is a problem right away that within a function, it has no idea of it's context aliases (in this case parentform). Time to go to my tips on functions and read it. There are ways to derive the parentform pointer, but none of them straightforward (This is one of my pet peeves about A5, that the context of the function's operation, in other words, the thread and aliases are not easily accessible for the typical user).

The best way is to add a function parameter, and pass the pointer to the parentform with parentform.this, or pass a pointer to the object itself as in parentform: objectname.bitmap.this in the function call.


I also am guessing that you are using the same filename before and after the refresh, and that Alpha may only reload the bitmap image when the name actually changes. If this is the case, create a small png file (maybe transparent, maybe white), and change it to that, then change it to the desired value. You may have to put a UI_YIELD(), and/or XBASIC_WAIT_FOR_IDLE() sequence between the two image loads.

As a side note, I never use an evaluate_template(), where an eval could be used. While both will work, it is more complex to debug with evaluate_template() and may have other technical issues if Alpha ever made a code compiler. E.g., I would change your code to

function Refreshimg as C(objectname as c)
    dim orgimg as c
    ' Get image filename for object:
    orgimg=eval("parentform:" + objectname + ".bitmap.filename")
    ' Re-read filename into object:
    eval("parentform:" + objectname + ".bitmap.filename)=filename_decode(orgimg)
END FUNCTION

[/quote]

[Steve Workings]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

To complete this thread: I asked Selwyn why we were having such trouble reloading the image in the bitmap object. He pointed out that setting the image to blank and then setting it to the filename would work. Here's my (tentatively) final function that allows the user to simply specify the bitmap object name to get it refreshed:

function Refreshimg as C(objectname as c)
	dim shared orgimg as c
	' Get image filename for object:
	orgimg=eval("parentform:" + objectname + ".bitmap.filename")
	' Set as blank:
	eval("parentform:" + objectname + ".bitmap.filename") = ""
	' Re-read filename into object:
	eval("parentform:" + objectname + ".bitmap.filename") = filename_decode(orgimg)
	orgimg = ""
end function

Ya'll will find this in a future release and upgrade of the A5/FusionCharts Genie.

[csda1]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

Hi Steve,

There is a problem right away that within a function, it has no idea of it's context aliases (in this case parentform). Time to go to my tips on functions and read it. There are ways to derive the parentform pointer, but none of them straightforward (This is one of my pet peeves about A5, that the context of the function's operation, in other words, the thread and aliases are not easily accessible for the typical user).

The best way is to add a function parameter, and pass the pointer to the parentform with parentform.this, or pass a pointer to the object itself as in parentform: objectname.bitmap.this in the function call.

It turns out that at least a5v5 and up (lowest version I checked) do have the parentform and parent aliases defined while running code in the same session, so I am reversing what I said above and have modified my tips above as well. This just takes away one of the biggest limitations of a function I was previously saying, making using a function even better (and easier).

I also am guessing that you are using the same filename before and after the refresh, and that Alpha may only reload the bitmap image when the name actually changes. If this is the case, create a small png file (maybe transparent, maybe white), and change it to that, then change it to the desired value. You may have to put a UI_YIELD(), and/or XBASIC_WAIT_FOR_IDLE() sequence between the two image loads.

To complete this thread: I asked Selwyn why we were having such trouble reloading the image in the bitmap object. He pointed out that setting the image to blank and then setting it to the filename would work.

What I said above was almost the same as what Selwyn said, only I did not say to use a blank object, although that would be the logical next step, after trying with two different values for the filenames.

I still maintain that you might need UI_YIELD(), and/or XBASIC_WAIT_FOR_IDLE() sequence after each image load, as it depends upon the other UI that may be happening at the same time, and would otherwise not necessarily be refreshed.

P.S. remove the SHARED in the DIM as it is not necessary and makes for better isolated code.

[Steve Workings]

Re: Refresh bitmap object on form

Thanks Ira. I'll take your recommendations (already removed the shared) and make sure they're in the next package.