Charts in A5?

[Ralf]

Re: Charts in A5?

Ok, I understand. Look at #33, because its not good for me to use that.

[Ralf]

Re: Charts in A5?

Ralf has to do that :D. I've posted a VB6 example and a translation into Xbasic. If you take the VB6 example and take a good look how it is translated into Xbasic, you can do the other examples. But even for me it took me a whole day to get it working. The reading of the help files took the most of the time. They are really good.

Well,I have to do that :) , its Ok, I thougt there is a tool for that :(. Then I will record a macro in excel, check the code, and try to export/translate it to AV5.

this excel maco place the Color Orange to a bar

Sub Makro1()
'
' Makro1 Makro
' Makro am 10.09.2007 von Ralf aufgezeichnet
'

'
ActiveChart.SeriesCollection(3).Select
With Selection.Border
.Weight = xlThin
.LineStyle = xlAutomatic
End With
Selection.Shadow = False
Selection.InvertIfNegative = False
With Selection.Interior
.ColorIndex = 46
.Pattern = xlSolid
End With
End Sub

So I have the arguments for the use in A5

Regards Ralf.

[Ralf]

Re: Charts in A5?

Ralf,

By accident I found a chart program called RMChart. It was part of thinBasic a new basic language. The chart program is free and can be downloaded here. It comes in two flavours: DLL and ActiveX. There is a chart designer that generates VB6, PowerBasic and .Net code. The VB code can be translated into Xbasic.

For a headstart I translated the simplebar.rmc into a Xbasic ActiveX example. The VB6 code is [ATTACH]14950[/ATTACH]. The A5 database example is [ATTACH]14951[/ATTACH]. The Xbasic translation is [ATTACH]14953[/ATTACH].

Not all is working properly. The gradient style doesn't work. The colors that the A5 colorpicker produce must be switched from RGB in to BGR. I don't know who's fault it is. RMChart or Alpha.

There is also a dll version. Users with an olders Alpha Five version which doesn't support ActiveX can use the dll in combination the UDC (The clock example ;)).

Unnecessary to tell that you fisrt must install the RMChart software before you can run the example in de database.

Have a nice time.

The example on an A5 form.
[ATTACH]14952[/ATTACH]

Thx, I will check it first, if this will (thinbasic) run under MS Vista.


Regards Ralf.

[Ralf]

Re: Charts in A5?

Hi Marcel,

that was exactly what I need, the difficulties is , to find the A5 terms, to translate the code from VB6.


Regards Ralf.

[Marcel Kollenaar]

Re: Charts in A5?

Ralf,

Thinbasic was a language I was just looking at and the language has nothing to do with this subject. It just set me on the trail of RMChart. You have to download the RMChart setup right away from http://www.rmchart.com/rmc/downloads/setup/setup.exe.

If you install the RMCDesigner you can open certain rmc files. That are files with chart information.

Start the designer and open the file C:\Program Files\RMChart\simplebar.rmc.


If the RMCDesigner is active go to the menu Files>Get the Source



>Choose at Development system Visual Basic 6 (using the ActiveX) and click OK.



The VB code is put on the clipboard. Now you can go to the a5 Xbasic scipteditor and paste the code.



Now you will get the VB6 code. This code is generated by the designer and not by Excel or Word.

Sub DoTheChart()
    Dim nRetval AS LONG
    Dim sTemp AS STRING
 
    With RMChartX1
        .Reset
        .RMCBackColor = AliceBlue
        .RMCStyle     = RMC_CTRLSTYLEFLAT
        .RMCWidth     = 600
        .RMCHeight    = 450
        .RMCBgImage   = ""
        .Font         = "Tahoma"
        .RMCToolTipWidth = 0
        .RMCHelpingGridSize  = 0
        .RMCHelpingGridColor = Default
        .RMCBitmapColor = Default
        '************** Add Region 1 ***************************** 
        .AddRegion
        With .Region(1)
            .Left   = 5
            .Top    = 5
            .Width  = -5
            .Height = -5
            .Footer = ""
            '************** Add caption to region 1 ******************* 
            .AddCaption
            With .Caption
                .Titel =     "This is the chart's caption"
                .BackColor = Blue
                .TextColor = Yellow
                .FontSize  = 11
                .Bold    = TRUE
            End With 'Caption
            '************** Add grid to region 1 ***************************** 
            .AddGrid
            With .Grid
                .BackColor   = White
                .AsGradient  = FALSE
                .BicolorMode = RMC_BICOLOR_LABELAXIS
                .Left        = 0
                .Top         = 0
                .Width       = 0
                .Height      = 0
            End With 'Grid
            '************** Add data axis to region 1 ***************************** 
            .AddDataAxis
            With .DataAxis(1)
                .Alignment      = RMC_DATAAXISLEFT
                .MinValue       = 0
                .MaxValue       = 100
                .TickCount      = 11
                .Fontsize       = 8
                .TextColor      = Black
                .LineColor      = Black
                .LineStyle      = RMC_LINESTYLESOLID
                .DecimalDigits  = 0
                .AxisUnit           = ""
                .AxisText           = ""
            End With 'DataAxis(1)
            '************** Add label axis to region 1 ***************************** 
            .AddLabelAxis
            With .LabelAxis
                .AxisCount     = 1
                .TickCount     = 5
                .Alignment     = RMC_LABELAXISBOTTOM
                .Fontsize      = 8
                .TextColor     = Black
                .TextAlignment = RMC_TEXTCENTER
                .LineColor     = Black
                .LineStyle     = RMC_LINESTYLENONE
                .AxisText      = ""
                sTemp = "Label 1*Label 2*Label 3*Label 4*Label 5"
                .LabelString = sTemp
            End With 'LabelAxis
            '************** Add Series 1 to region 1 ******************************* 
            .AddBarSeries
            With .BarSeries(1)
                .SeriesType          = RMC_BARSINGLE
                .SeriesStyle         = RMC_BAR_FLAT_GRADIENT2
                .Lucent         = FALSE
                .Color            = Default
                .Horizontal       = FALSE
                .WhichDataAxis    = 1
                .ValueLabelOn     = RMC_VLABEL_NONE
                .PointsPerColumn  = 1
                .HatchMode  = RMC_HATCHBRUSH_OFF
                '****** Set data values ******
                sTemp = "50*70*40*60*30"
                .DataString = sTemp
            End With 'BarSeries(1)
        End With 'Region(1)
        nRetVal = .Draw(TRUE)
    End With 'RMChartX1
END SUB

In A5 - download the database example from my posting and unzip it - you have to make a form and place the ActiveX on the form.

In the OnInitEvent of the Form you put the translation of the code from above:

'Date Created: 09-Sep-2007 02:52:05 PM
'Last Updated: 09-Sep-2007 09:15:50 PM
'Created By  : Marcel Kollenaar
'Updated By  : Marcel Kollenaar
'This code is translated from the code generator RMCDesigner.
'Code can be exported as VB6, PowerBasic or .Net
'The program can be downloaded at [URL]http://www.rmchart.com[/URL]
'The RMCHart program is free.
dim chart as p
dim region as P
constant Default = 0
constant RMC_CTRLSTYLEFLAT = 0
constant RMC_CTRLSTYLEFLATSHADOW = 1
constant RMC_CTRLSTYLE3D = 2
constant RMC_CTRLSTYLE3DLIGHT = 3
constant RMC_CTRLSTYLEIMAGE = 4
constant RMC_CTRLSTYLEIMAGETILED = 5
 
constant RMC_BICOLOR_NONE = 0
constant RMC_BICOLOR_DATAAXIS = 1
constant RMC_BICOLOR_LABELAXIS = 2
constant RMC_BICOLOR_BOTH = 3
constant RMC_DATAAXISLEFT = 1
constant RMC_DATAAXISRIGHT = 2
constant RMC_DATAAXISTOP = 3
constant RMC_DATAAXISBOTTOM = 4 
constant RMC_LABELAXISLEFT = 5
constant RMC_LABELAXISRIGHT = 6
constant RMC_LABELAXISTOP = 7
constant RMC_LABELAXISBOTTOM = 8 
constant RMC_BAR_FLAT = 1
constant RMC_BAR_FLAT_GRADIENT1 = 2
constant RMC_BAR_FLAT_GRADIENT2 = 3
constant RMC_BAR_HOVER = 4
constant RMC_COLUMN_FLAT = 5
constant RMC_BAR_3D = 6
constant RMC_BAR_3D_GRADIENT = 7
constant RMC_COLUMN_3D = 8
constant RMC_COLUMN_3D_GRADIENT = 9
constant RMC_BARSINGLE = 1
constant RMC_BARGROUP = 2
constant RMC_BARSTACKED = 3
constant RMC_BARSTACKED100 = 4
constant RMC_FLOATINGBAR = 5
constant RMC_FLOATINGBARGROUP = 6
constant RMC_VLABEL_NONE = 0
constant RMC_VLABEL_DEFAULT = 1
constant RMC_VLABEL_PERCENT = 5
constant RMC_VLABEL_ABSOLUTE = 6
constant RMC_VLABEL_TWIN = 7
constant RMC_VLABEL_LEGENDONLY = 8
constant RMC_VLABEL_DEFAULT_NOZERO = 11
constant RMC_VLABEL_PERCENT_NOZERO = 15
constant RMC_VLABEL_ABSOLUTE_NOZERO = 16
constant RMC_VLABEL_TWIN_NOZERO = 17
constant RMC_HATCHBRUSH_OFF = 0
constant RMC_HATCHBRUSH_ON = 1
constant RMC_HATCHBRUSH_ONPRINTING = 2 
constant RMC_LINESTYLESOLID = 0
constant RMC_LINESTYLEDASH = 1
constant RMC_LINESTYLEDOT = 2
constant RMC_LINESTYLEDASHDOT = 3
constant RMC_LINESTYLENONE = 5 
constant RMC_TEXTCENTER = 0
constant RMC_TEXTLEFT = 1
constant RMC_TEXTRIGHT = 2
 
'debug(1)
chart := ACTIVEX1.activex.this
chart.Reset()
'Colors produced by A5 as rgb:ebffff nust be switched to bgr: ffffeb
chart.RMCBackColor = hex_to_dec("ffffeb") 
chart.RMCStyle     = RMC_CTRLSTYLEFLAT
chart.RMCWidth     = 600
chart.RMCHeight    = 450
'chart.RMCBgImage   = ""
chart.Font.name    = "Tahoma"
chart.RMCToolTipWidth = 0
chart.RMCHelpingGridSize  = 0
chart.RMCHelpingGridColor = Default
chart.RMCBitmapColor = Default
'************** Add Region 1 ************************************
chart.AddRegion()
region := chart.region(1)
region.footer= ""
region.Left   = 10
region.Top    = 10
region.Width  = -5
region.Height = -5
region.Footer = "This is a footer"
'************** Add caption to region 1 *************************
region.addcaption()
region.caption.titel     = "Titel of this chart"
region.caption.BackColor = hex_to_dec("ff0000")
region.caption.TextColor = hex_to_dec("00ffff")
region.caption.FontSize  = 11
region.caption.Bold      = .T.
'************** Add grid to region 1 *****************************
region.AddGrid()
region.grid.BackColor   = hex_to_dec("ffffff")
region.grid.AsGradient  = .F.
region.grid.BicolorMode = RMC_BICOLOR_LABELAXIS
region.grid.Left        = 0
region.grid.Top         = 0
region.grid.Width       = 0
region.grid.Height      = 0
'************** Add data axis to region 1 *****************************
region.AddDataAxis()
region.DataAxis(1).Alignment      = RMC_DATAAXISLEFT
region.DataAxis(1).MinValue       = 0
region.DataAxis(1).MaxValue       = 100
region.DataAxis(1).TickCount      = 11
region.DataAxis(1).Fontsize       = 8
region.DataAxis(1).TextColor      = hex_to_dec("000000")
region.DataAxis(1).LineColor      = hex_to_dec("000000")
region.DataAxis(1).LineStyle      = RMC_LINESTYLESOLID
region.DataAxis(1).DecimalDigits  = 1
region.DataAxis(1).AxisUnit       = ""
region.DataAxis(1).AxisText       = ""
'************** Add label axis to region 1 *****************************
region.AddLabelAxis()
region.LabelAxis.AxisCount        = 1
region.LabelAxis.TickCount        = 5
region.LabelAxis.Alignment        = RMC_LABELAXISBOTTOM
region.LabelAxis.Fontsize         = 8
region.LabelAxis.TextColor        = hex_to_dec("000000")
region.LabelAxis.TextAlignment    = RMC_TEXTCENTER
region.LabelAxis.LineColor        = hex_to_dec("000000")
region.LabelAxis.LineStyle        = RMC_LINESTYLENONE
region.LabelAxis.AxisText         = ""
sTemp = "Label 1*Label 2*Label 3*Label 4*Label 5"
region.LabelAxis.LabelString      = sTemp
'************** Add Series 1 to region 1 *******************************
region.AddBarSeries()
region.BarSeries(1).SeriesType       = RMC_BARSINGLE
region.BarSeries(1).SeriesStyle      = RMC_BAR_FLAT_GRADIENT2
region.BarSeries(1).Lucent           = .F.
region.BarSeries(1).Color            = 0
region.BarSeries(1).Horizontal       = .F.
region.BarSeries(1).WhichDataAxis    = 1
region.BarSeries(1).ValueLabelOn     = RMC_VLABEL_NONE
region.BarSeries(1).PointsPerColumn  = 1
region.BarSeries(1).HatchMode        = RMC_HATCHBRUSH_OFF
'****** Set data values ******
Dim aData[1..5] As n
aData[1] = 40
aData[2] = 10
aData[3] = 30
aData[4] = 20
aData[5] = 80
For i = 1 To 5
 region.barseries(1).SetDataValue(i, aData[i])
next
a = chart.draw()
if a = 0 then
   'ui_msg_box("","Succes")
else
   ui_msg_box("","Error: " + str(a))
end if
end

The constant you see are comming from the help file and/or example VB6 code.

I hope this helps a little.

[Ralf]

Re: Charts in A5?

Ah,I see , I will try it by tommorow. The test with the Excel macro was only for me, as a workaround.

I downloaded everything, and your chart is running very well. I have to analize how it works.

Thx, a lot.

Regards Ralf.

[CALocklin]

Re: Charts in A5?

Is there any reason why everyone is shying away from using SimpleChart? Just curious.

Things may have changed but the last couple times I wanted to build charts it was in applications that I was hoping to sell as generic apps and SimpleChart required registration to do what I wanted. I didn't want to deal with the hassles of having to get each customer a registration and the cost of a registration that I could distribute was more than I would make on the limited number of apps I expected to sell.

On the other hand, Alpha's built-in routines come with the program - no extra cost, no extra registration, no extra hassle. A choice that was a no-brainer in my opinion.

[Tim Kiebert]

Re: Charts in A5?

Marcel, and Ralf,

I was checking out the rmchart software and noticed a neat feature. You can design your chart in the their designer and then output the definition to a definition string(Get data String-just below the Get Source). Then use this string in one method ie (chart.rmcfile = string) and presto the chart is defined. Now since you have the definition in a string you can use xbasic to manipulate it by inserting your data in the appropriate place. Below is the code I placed in the OnInit

Dim Chart as P
Dim sData as C

[COLOR=Blue]'The code below in green is the formatted string output by the chart designer.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=Green] sData = sData + "00003600|00004600|000052|000061|00009401|00011Tahoma|100011|100035|100045|10005-"
sData = sData + "5|10006250|1000910|100101|100111|100181|100200|1002120|1002211|100238|100331|100"
sData = sData + "341|100355|100378|100481|100541|100558|10063-1|100652|110011|110021|110049|11012"
sData = sData + "1|110131|1102111|110221|110235|110281|110532*4*6*8*10|200011|200035|20004250|200"
sData = sData + "05-5|20006-5|2000910|200101|200181|200468|200481|200634|200652|210011|2100251|21"
sData = sData + "00454|210127|210161|21018-1|210211|210221|210234|21051-256*-15132304*-16737997*-"
sData = sData + "65536|210531*1*1*1"[/COLOR]
    

chart := ACTIVEX1.activex.this
chart.Reset()

chart.RMCFile = sData
    
chart.draw()

and OnFetch where I inserted the field values.

Dim Chart as P
Dim sData as C
t=table.current()

sData = sData + "00003600|00004600|000052|000061|00009401|00011Tahoma|100011|100035|100045|10005-"
sData = sData + "5|10006250|1000910|100101|100111|100181|100200|1002120|1002211|100238|100331|100"
sData = sData + "341|100355|100378|100481|100541|100558|10063-1|100652|110011|110021|110049|11012"
sData = sData + "1|110131|1102111|110221|110235|110281|11053"
sData = sData + t.bar1+"*"+t.bar2+"*"+t.bar3+"*"+t.bar4+"*"+t.bar5
sData = sData + "|200011|200035|20004250|200"
sData = sData + "05-5|20006-5|2000910|200101|200181|200468|200481|200634|200652|210011|2100251|21"
sData = sData + "00454|210127|210161|21018-1|210211|210221|210234|21051-256*-15132304*-16737997*-"
sData = sData + "65536|210531*1*1*1"
    
chart := ACTIVEX1.activex.this
chart.Reset()

chart.RMCFile = sData
chart.draw()

In the attachment open the chart_from_string form and advance through the four records.

How easy is that!!

[Ralf]

Re: Charts in A5?

Hi Tim,


wow , thats looks realy nice, and seems to be a easy way to produce some great charts. i will check it out.


Thx, for these importent information.


Regards Ralf.

[Marcel Kollenaar]

Re: Charts in A5?

Tim,

Indeed, that looks really nice. I saw the option but did not know what to do with it. I was focussed on the Xbasic code generator. This is again an example how important it is that different people look at the same product. Everyone find different things.

Tim I see aloso that you do have gradient like objects. That was something I could not get right in the Xbasic code. With the defenition string it works alright. Thanks! :)

And again...... rmchart is free!

[Ralf]

Re: Charts in A5?

I have to test , how I can set variables, how I can set the input variable, I don't know if I have 5 variables to produse a chart , or maybe they are 10, I'm also don't know before the producing of the chart ,whats is the lowest , and what is the highest value of the input. All these I have to test. All these parameters have to be variable.

Regards Ralf.

[Ralf]

Re: Charts in A5?

what is the name of active X element? I cant fond the element in the active X list in A5V8. In the system32 folder is the rmchhart.ocx included. The example from #43 includes the Active X element and runs on my computer.

[Marcel Kollenaar]

Re: Charts in A5?

Ralf,

Start A5, create a form, from the toolbox choose the ActiveX control, draw the control on the form, the dialog appears where you can choose the control from a list. First do a refresh list and than look for the RMChart.RMChartX. Choose it. The refresh does it. It should be always refreshed when openend.


Added:
@Tim: If I create a datastring and put that in the chart the gradient style is ok. I think the parameter constants in the ActiveX code doesn't fit well.

[Tim Kiebert]

Re: Charts in A5?

@Tim: If I create a datastring and put that in the chart the gradient style is ok. I think the parameter constants in the ActiveX code doesn't fit well.

I will trust you on that one, you know more about that than I do (way more).

When I saw the datastring option I figured why struggle with all that code when you can enter in one argument. I must be getting lazy in my old age.

I like this concept of assigning argument values using a coded string. Not sure where I might use it yet. For now I will tuck it away for a rainy day. :)

[Ralf]

Re: Charts in A5?

@Marcel, yes that was the Problem,I made a new Form & Refrech the active X, and the RMCHART appear.


Now I have to find out , how I can set RMCHART string variable.
When Hihest value greater than the Highest Value of the RMCHART String the bar will be cut off.

Regard Ralf.