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Best way to let users input picture/drawing to each record?

I'm fairly new to access (using 2002) and am setting up a DB for work.
along with each record the user also needs to make a flow diagram
(previously, these reports were composed in word and they used the
autoshapes to create this diagram). I was wondering what the best way
to incorporate this into the DB. I have read about how saving them as
pictures in the DB bloats the size, which is unacceptable, but it
needs to be easy to do (not making separate word file and have them
type in the path...) Is there an easy way to allow users to create
flow diagrams and link (or embed a small file) to the record?
Thanks in advance!

(I dont know much vb, but im willing to try it if i need to)
Nov 13 '05 #1
20 2356
ch******@umbc.edu (Greg) wrote in message news:<f2**************************@posting.google. com>...
I'm fairly new to access (using 2002) and am setting up a DB for work.
along with each record the user also needs to make a flow diagram
(previously, these reports were composed in word and they used the
autoshapes to create this diagram). I was wondering what the best way
to incorporate this into the DB. I have read about how saving them as
pictures in the DB bloats the size, which is unacceptable, but it
needs to be easy to do (not making separate word file and have them
type in the path...) Is there an easy way to allow users to create
flow diagrams and link (or embed a small file) to the record?
Thanks in advance!

(I dont know much vb, but im willing to try it if i need to)


What if you were to use the OpenFile API to prompt the user to find
the file and then just write the path into your table? Then you could
just show it as a hyperlink in your form...

http://www.mvps.org/access/api/api0001.htm
Nov 13 '05 #2
"Greg" wrote
along with each record the user also
needs to make a flow diagram
(previously, these reports were composed
in word and they used the
autoshapes to create this diagram).
There's no built-in way to use to create flow diagrams in Access. But,
Access can start another application that you use to create the flow
diagrams and store the image. I'd suggest the appropriate version of Visio
or, perhaps, a more general imaging software tool that "plays well" with
Access.
I was wondering what the best way
to incorporate this into the DB.


The sample imaging databases at http://accdevel.tripod.com illustrate three
approaches to handling images in Access, and the download includes an
article discussing considerations in choosing an approach. Two of the
approaches do not use OLE Objects and, thus, avoid the database bloat, and
some other problems, associated with images in OLE Objects.

In these samples, the Windows Common Dialog is displayed for the user to
_select_ an image file, so the user does not have to type in the path and
filename.

If you are printing the images in reports, to avoid memory leakage, you
should also see MVP Stephen Lebans' http://www.lebans.com/printfailures.htm.
PrintFailure.zip is an Access97 MDB containing a report that fails during
the Access formatting process prior to being spooled to the Printer Driver.
This MDB also contains code showing how to convert the contents of the Image
control to a Bitmap file prior to printing. This helps alleviate the "Out of
Memory" error that can popup when printing image intensive reports.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP
Nov 13 '05 #3
Thank you both for your help!
a few more questions have come up. I have decided the bloat is
unacceptable, so the OLE picture embeding is not an option anymore.
however, the BLOB might work. I tried copying the code (and form) for
importing an image as a BLOB, but i am getting errors every time it
runs: "compile error, sub or function not defined" and highlights the
word "ahtAddFilterItem" in the code. i looked around in the sample db
code but couldn't seem to see what i was missing. Might it be
something like an #include in c++?
i have changed a little bit in how the image is stored, just using the
OLE for the data and text field for extension (actually copied the
fields from the sample), since there will only be 1 per record.
Very new to VB still, so any help in that area is greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!
-Greg
"Larry Linson" <bo*****@localhost.not> wrote in message news:<3q*******************@nwrddc03.gnilink.net>. ..
"Greg" wrote
> along with each record the user also
> needs to make a flow diagram
> (previously, these reports were composed
> in word and they used the
> autoshapes to create this diagram).


There's no built-in way to use to create flow diagrams in Access. But,
Access can start another application that you use to create the flow
diagrams and store the image. I'd suggest the appropriate version of Visio
or, perhaps, a more general imaging software tool that "plays well" with
Access.
> I was wondering what the best way
> to incorporate this into the DB.


The sample imaging databases at http://accdevel.tripod.com illustrate three
approaches to handling images in Access, and the download includes an
article discussing considerations in choosing an approach. Two of the
approaches do not use OLE Objects and, thus, avoid the database bloat, and
some other problems, associated with images in OLE Objects.

In these samples, the Windows Common Dialog is displayed for the user to
_select_ an image file, so the user does not have to type in the path and
filename.

If you are printing the images in reports, to avoid memory leakage, you
should also see MVP Stephen Lebans' http://www.lebans.com/printfailures.htm.
PrintFailure.zip is an Access97 MDB containing a report that fails during
the Access formatting process prior to being spooled to the Printer Driver.
This MDB also contains code showing how to convert the contents of the Image
control to a Bitmap file prior to printing. This helps alleviate the "Out of
Memory" error that can popup when printing image intensive reports.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

Nov 13 '05 #4
Thank you both for your help!
a few more questions have come up. I have decided the bloat is
unacceptable, so the OLE picture embeding is not an option anymore.
however, the BLOB might work. I tried copying the code (and form) for
importing an image as a BLOB, but i am getting errors every time it
runs: "compile error, sub or function not defined" and highlights the
word "ahtAddFilterItem" in the code. i looked around in the sample db
code but couldn't seem to see what i was missing. Might it be
something like an #include in c++?
i have changed a little bit in how the image is stored, just using the
OLE for the data and text field for extension (actually copied the
fields from the sample), since there will only be 1 per record.

Thanks again!
-Greg
"Larry Linson" <bo*****@localhost.not> wrote in message news:<3q*******************@nwrddc03.gnilink.net>. ..
"Greg" wrote
> along with each record the user also
> needs to make a flow diagram
> (previously, these reports were composed
> in word and they used the
> autoshapes to create this diagram).


There's no built-in way to use to create flow diagrams in Access. But,
Access can start another application that you use to create the flow
diagrams and store the image. I'd suggest the appropriate version of Visio
or, perhaps, a more general imaging software tool that "plays well" with
Access.
> I was wondering what the best way
> to incorporate this into the DB.


The sample imaging databases at http://accdevel.tripod.com illustrate three
approaches to handling images in Access, and the download includes an
article discussing considerations in choosing an approach. Two of the
approaches do not use OLE Objects and, thus, avoid the database bloat, and
some other problems, associated with images in OLE Objects.

In these samples, the Windows Common Dialog is displayed for the user to
_select_ an image file, so the user does not have to type in the path and
filename.

If you are printing the images in reports, to avoid memory leakage, you
should also see MVP Stephen Lebans' http://www.lebans.com/printfailures.htm.
PrintFailure.zip is an Access97 MDB containing a report that fails during
the Access formatting process prior to being spooled to the Printer Driver.
This MDB also contains code showing how to convert the contents of the Image
control to a Bitmap file prior to printing. This helps alleviate the "Out of
Memory" error that can popup when printing image intensive reports.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

Nov 13 '05 #5
Thank you both for your help!
a few more questions have come up. I have decided the bloat is
unacceptable, so the OLE picture embeding is not an option anymore.
however, the BLOB might work. I tried copying the code (and form) for
importing an image as a BLOB, but i am getting errors every time it
runs: "compile error, sub or function not defined" and highlights the
word "ahtAddFilterItem" in the code. i looked around in the sample db
code but couldn't seem to see what i was missing. Might it be
something like an #include in c++?
i have changed a little bit in how the image is stored, just using the
OLE for the data and text field for extension (actually copied the
fields from the sample), since there will only be 1 per record.
Very new to VB still, so any help in that area is greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!
-Greg
"Larry Linson" <bo*****@localhost.not> wrote in message news:<3q*******************@nwrddc03.gnilink.net>. ..
"Greg" wrote
> along with each record the user also
> needs to make a flow diagram
> (previously, these reports were composed
> in word and they used the
> autoshapes to create this diagram).


There's no built-in way to use to create flow diagrams in Access. But,
Access can start another application that you use to create the flow
diagrams and store the image. I'd suggest the appropriate version of Visio
or, perhaps, a more general imaging software tool that "plays well" with
Access.
> I was wondering what the best way
> to incorporate this into the DB.


The sample imaging databases at http://accdevel.tripod.com illustrate three
approaches to handling images in Access, and the download includes an
article discussing considerations in choosing an approach. Two of the
approaches do not use OLE Objects and, thus, avoid the database bloat, and
some other problems, associated with images in OLE Objects.

In these samples, the Windows Common Dialog is displayed for the user to
_select_ an image file, so the user does not have to type in the path and
filename.

If you are printing the images in reports, to avoid memory leakage, you
should also see MVP Stephen Lebans' http://www.lebans.com/printfailures.htm.
PrintFailure.zip is an Access97 MDB containing a report that fails during
the Access formatting process prior to being spooled to the Printer Driver.
This MDB also contains code showing how to convert the contents of the Image
control to a Bitmap file prior to printing. This helps alleviate the "Out of
Memory" error that can popup when printing image intensive reports.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

Nov 13 '05 #6
sorry for multiple posts, google said it didnt go through the first time :-/
Nov 13 '05 #7
ch******@umbc.edu (Greg) wrote in message news:<f2**************************@posting.google. com>...
Thank you both for your help!
a few more questions have come up. I have decided the bloat is
unacceptable, so the OLE picture embeding is not an option anymore.
however, the BLOB might work. I tried copying the code (and form) for
importing an image as a BLOB, but i am getting errors every time it
runs: "compile error, sub or function not defined" and highlights the
word "ahtAddFilterItem" in the code. i looked around in the sample db
code but couldn't seem to see what i was missing. Might it be
something like an #include in c++?
i have changed a little bit in how the image is stored, just using the
OLE for the data and text field for extension (actually copied the
fields from the sample), since there will only be 1 per record.
Very new to VB still, so any help in that area is greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!
-Greg

Greg,
I hate to sound repetitive, but I still think prompting the user for a
path to the file is your best bet. You can use the FileOpen API call
and then just grab the full path to the file and save it in the
database. So what the user will see is this:
1. user clicks on button or enters blank text field.
2. OpenFile dialog opens up, prompting the user to browse for a file.
3. user finds file, clicks OK.
4. FileOpen API passes path back to database and writes the browsed
path into the table.

Seems intuitive to me... you could even put a title on your OpenFile
dialog that gave the user instructions...

HTH,
Pieter
Nov 13 '05 #8
> but i am getting errors every time it
runs: "compile error, sub or function
not defined" and highlights the
word "ahtAddFilterItem" in the code.
No, it is not like an Include, it is part of the code to use the Windows
Common Dialog directly, that came from http://www.mvps.org/api/api0001.htm.
However, it is in the example somewhere, or the example would exhibit the
same compilation error. My guess is that you did not copy the code module
for using the Windows API to choose a file into your database.
i looked around in the sample db
code but couldn't seem to see what
i was missing.


When "looking around", in the module window (aka the Visual Basic
Environment, VBE), use Edit | Find and set to the broadest search, e.g.,
"Current Project".

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP
Nov 13 '05 #9
Ok, i see what you're saying about linking to the file would be best.
unfortunately, we don't have any good flow diagram software here,
except a single license of visio i think...so they probably will just
use autoshapes in word

What I'm trying to do is make this easiest for the user. these arent
premade diagrams, they will most likely be creating them at the same
time they are inputting the rest of the data.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is there a (close to) foolproof way of
letting them open word (or whatever software), create the diagram, and
then save it somewhere so the db could be linked? I am afraid if i
just let them make it, save it, then "browse" for it, the images will
end up being on everyones individual hd rather then a folder on the
server. (and several other issues with people forgetting where they
saved it, saving wrong doc type, etc...) I have seen that you can use
a button to load an app, like word, but as for saving in the right
place and right file type, i dont know how to enforce that.

(if its unclear, this is a db used by a group of users, each from
his/her own workstation...)

Thanks again!
-greg

pi********@hotmail.com (Pieter Linden) wrote in message news:<bf**************************@posting.google. com>...
ch******@umbc.edu (Greg) wrote in message news:<f2**************************@posting.google. com>...
Thank you both for your help!
a few more questions have come up. I have decided the bloat is
unacceptable, so the OLE picture embeding is not an option anymore.
however, the BLOB might work. I tried copying the code (and form) for
importing an image as a BLOB, but i am getting errors every time it
runs: "compile error, sub or function not defined" and highlights the
word "ahtAddFilterItem" in the code. i looked around in the sample db
code but couldn't seem to see what i was missing. Might it be
something like an #include in c++?
i have changed a little bit in how the image is stored, just using the
OLE for the data and text field for extension (actually copied the
fields from the sample), since there will only be 1 per record.
Very new to VB still, so any help in that area is greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!
-Greg

Greg,
I hate to sound repetitive, but I still think prompting the user for a
path to the file is your best bet. You can use the FileOpen API call
and then just grab the full path to the file and save it in the
database. So what the user will see is this:
1. user clicks on button or enters blank text field.
2. OpenFile dialog opens up, prompting the user to browse for a file.
3. user finds file, clicks OK.
4. FileOpen API passes path back to database and writes the browsed
path into the table.

Seems intuitive to me... you could even put a title on your OpenFile
dialog that gave the user instructions...

HTH,
Pieter

Nov 13 '05 #10
>the code to use the Windows
Common Dialog directly


sorry, I didnt know what i was looking for earlier. i didnt know to
copy the whole modules before. oops. got that cleared up.

another question then. lets say the users create the file on their
computer and save it where ever they want (lets call it my docs for
now), is there a way to have the db copy that file to its own
directory with its own name on it, similar to the way iTunes copies
/organizes music when its opened?

thanks again!
-greg

"Larry Linson" <bo*****@localhost.not> wrote in message news:<RL******************@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>.. .
but i am getting errors every time it
> runs: "compile error, sub or function
> not defined" and highlights the
> word "ahtAddFilterItem" in the code.


No, it is not like an Include, it is part of the code to use the Windows
Common Dialog directly, that came from http://www.mvps.org/api/api0001.htm.
However, it is in the example somewhere, or the example would exhibit the
same compilation error. My guess is that you did not copy the code module
for using the Windows API to choose a file into your database.
> i looked around in the sample db
> code but couldn't seem to see what
> i was missing.


When "looking around", in the module window (aka the Visual Basic
Environment, VBE), use Edit | Find and set to the broadest search, e.g.,
"Current Project".

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

Nov 13 '05 #11
Check help for the FileCopy statement. That will copy a file from one place
to another, provided the user has the proper permissions on the disks. I do
NOT recommend erasing the user's file, even after you have copied it,
without the user's specific permission.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

"Greg" <ch******@umbc.edu> wrote in message
news:f2**************************@posting.google.c om...
the code to use the Windows
Common Dialog directly


sorry, I didnt know what i was looking for earlier. i didnt know to
copy the whole modules before. oops. got that cleared up.

another question then. lets say the users create the file on their
computer and save it where ever they want (lets call it my docs for
now), is there a way to have the db copy that file to its own
directory with its own name on it, similar to the way iTunes copies
/organizes music when its opened?

thanks again!
-greg

"Larry Linson" <bo*****@localhost.not> wrote in message

news:<RL******************@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>.. .
but i am getting errors every time it
> runs: "compile error, sub or function
> not defined" and highlights the
> word "ahtAddFilterItem" in the code.


No, it is not like an Include, it is part of the code to use the Windows
Common Dialog directly, that came from http://www.mvps.org/api/api0001.htm. However, it is in the example somewhere, or the example would exhibit the same compilation error. My guess is that you did not copy the code module for using the Windows API to choose a file into your database.
> i looked around in the sample db
> code but couldn't seem to see what
> i was missing.


When "looking around", in the module window (aka the Visual Basic
Environment, VBE), use Edit | Find and set to the broadest search, e.g.,
"Current Project".

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

Nov 13 '05 #12
Okay, so they *have* to either save directly to the folder on the
server or move the file there... I guess you could have the FileCopy
function copy the file to at UNC path to the server, so mapped drives
are not a problem. then you could grab the UNC path and filename and
store that back in your database and format it as a hyperlink.
How to enforce it... hmm... set the path to the file on the server as
Required in your table design? Check the record in the BeforeInsert
event for a non-null/valid filepath, and if you don't have one, throw
up your own message.
If you wanted to be REALLY annoying, you could put use the OpenFileAPI
to point to the file and have that inside a do loop...

do
'prompt user for path to file on server
'use DIR to make sure the file is there.
loop until Dir("\\server\subfolder\file.doc")<>0

(See John Mishefske's post earlier... sorry can't remember the exact
syntax...)

Basically, you could prompt the user with an infinite loop - that
won't go away until the user supplies a valid path to the file on the
server. Annoying, I'm sure, but probably effective.
Nov 13 '05 #13
i like the loop idea, sounds very effective (and probably most
effiecient in the long run), but for some reason, i dont think the
people who will end up using this db will be so friendly after that...

i was thinking more along the lines of letting the user save whereever
they wanted to locally, then just using the OpenFileAPI to select that
file and having access (behind the scenes) make a copy to the server
folder, numbered as per record. as i see it, this would mean that the
user would only need to make and save the drawing once, and then just
have to "find" it for access, and voila! everything is done and all
organized best for the db, and the user can do what they wish with
thier own copy.

as ive said before tho, im very new to access and vb, so i have no
clear idea of how to do this. im picking up bits and pieces looking at
sample dbs, (mostly the 3 methods of storing pictures one), but i am
still not sure about how to use the FileCopy function to take a path
to a file (i did figure out how to get a path stored in a field,
thanks to the 3 sample image db) and copy that file to a preset
location on the server, and rename it to [recordnumber].jpg or
whatever format it ends up being (like the picture for record 34 would
be \\server\folder\folderwithdb\images\34.jpg)

everyone has read/write permissions for the server, and the drive is
mapped already. no problems here!

i know this isnt quite what you were talking about, but im pretty sure
*making* them save it to the right place is going to cause more
trouble then good :-/

Any code snippits that would help do this would be greatly
appreciated!

Thanks again

pi********@hotmail.com (Pieter Linden) wrote in message news:<bf**************************@posting.google. com>...
Okay, so they *have* to either save directly to the folder on the
server or move the file there... I guess you could have the FileCopy
function copy the file to at UNC path to the server, so mapped drives
are not a problem. then you could grab the UNC path and filename and
store that back in your database and format it as a hyperlink.
How to enforce it... hmm... set the path to the file on the server as
Required in your table design? Check the record in the BeforeInsert
event for a non-null/valid filepath, and if you don't have one, throw
up your own message.
If you wanted to be REALLY annoying, you could put use the OpenFileAPI
to point to the file and have that inside a do loop...

do
'prompt user for path to file on server
'use DIR to make sure the file is there.
loop until Dir("\\server\subfolder\file.doc")<>0

(See John Mishefske's post earlier... sorry can't remember the exact
syntax...)

Basically, you could prompt the user with an infinite loop - that
won't go away until the user supplies a valid path to the file on the
server. Annoying, I'm sure, but probably effective.

Nov 13 '05 #14
I looked at that a while yesterday, still not sure how to do it. i
imagine it will be fairly clear if i see it, i'm just not vary
familiar with vb yet. permissions should not be a problem, and i plan
on just copying to the server and let users deal with their own
copies.

what i dont know how to do is take a filepath (full, not broken up)
and have FileCopy make a copy in the server folder with a name
cooresponding to the record it relates to. (see latest response to
peter). any thoughts on that?

thanks again
-greg
"Larry Linson" <bo*****@localhost.not> wrote in message news:<9%******************@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>.. .
Check help for the FileCopy statement. That will copy a file from one place
to another, provided the user has the proper permissions on the disks. I do
NOT recommend erasing the user's file, even after you have copied it,
without the user's specific permission.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

"Greg" <ch******@umbc.edu> wrote in message
news:f2**************************@posting.google.c om...
the code to use the Windows
Common Dialog directly


sorry, I didnt know what i was looking for earlier. i didnt know to
copy the whole modules before. oops. got that cleared up.

another question then. lets say the users create the file on their
computer and save it where ever they want (lets call it my docs for
now), is there a way to have the db copy that file to its own
directory with its own name on it, similar to the way iTunes copies
/organizes music when its opened?

thanks again!
-greg

"Larry Linson" <bo*****@localhost.not> wrote in message

news:<RL******************@nwrddc01.gnilink.net>.. .
> but i am getting errors every time it
> runs: "compile error, sub or function
> not defined" and highlights the
> word "ahtAddFilterItem" in the code.

No, it is not like an Include, it is part of the code to use the Windows
Common Dialog directly, that came from http://www.mvps.org/api/api0001.htm. However, it is in the example somewhere, or the example would exhibit the same compilation error. My guess is that you did not copy the code module for using the Windows API to choose a file into your database.

> i looked around in the sample db
> code but couldn't seem to see what
> i was missing.

When "looking around", in the module window (aka the Visual Basic
Environment, VBE), use Edit | Find and set to the broadest search, e.g.,
"Current Project".

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP

Nov 13 '05 #15
Ok, i checked the other thread i started and have managed to get the
filecopy function to work as i like, so all the user does is use the
OpenFileAPI to find the file and access makes its own serverside copy
named appropriately. now i just have a few small tweaking
questions...like how much would i have to change to let it store
things besides .jpg? like if they save it as a .doc, would it be
converted right? it gives me an error right now, but i think thats
because of the .picture

Me![imgTheImage].Picture = strPathAndFile

is the line of code it highlights in debug when i select a file thats
not a picture, but a document. perhaps this is because it is trying to
display the file in the form, but .doc isnt what it wants?

i would like a preview to show up in the form so the user can validate
that they selected the correct file, and if they didnt, be able to go
back and select the correct one. any idea how to make this slightly
more generic?

thanks so much for all the help, i know i couldnt figure this out by
myself for a while...

pi********@hotmail.com (Pieter Linden) wrote in message news:<bf**************************@posting.google. com>...
Okay, so they *have* to either save directly to the folder on the
server or move the file there... I guess you could have the FileCopy
function copy the file to at UNC path to the server, so mapped drives
are not a problem. then you could grab the UNC path and filename and
store that back in your database and format it as a hyperlink.
How to enforce it... hmm... set the path to the file on the server as
Required in your table design? Check the record in the BeforeInsert
event for a non-null/valid filepath, and if you don't have one, throw
up your own message.
If you wanted to be REALLY annoying, you could put use the OpenFileAPI
to point to the file and have that inside a do loop...

do
'prompt user for path to file on server
'use DIR to make sure the file is there.
loop until Dir("\\server\subfolder\file.doc")<>0

(See John Mishefske's post earlier... sorry can't remember the exact
syntax...)

Basically, you could prompt the user with an infinite loop - that
won't go away until the user supplies a valid path to the file on the
server. Annoying, I'm sure, but probably effective.

Nov 13 '05 #16
sorry for so many reponses at once, usually i get caught up and cant
make so much progress like this! i was working on a way to have the
docs display a preview like the images do. i thouhgt an If statement
checking filetype might do it, have 2 objects in the form right on top
of one another, one is linked to the images, other to docs, if would
determine which one had somehting sent to it, otherwise they are just
transparent. another issue would be if they picked an image, then
relized it was the wrong one and proceeded to pick a document, then
there would be 2 items in the server folder, one of which would be
wrong.

is there a way to have access take a doc (if selected), and convert it
to jpg and save it that way? i think that would eliminate many of
these issues...

thanks again!
-Greg

pi********@hotmail.com (Pieter Linden) wrote in message news:<bf**************************@posting.google. com>...
Okay, so they *have* to either save directly to the folder on the
server or move the file there... I guess you could have the FileCopy
function copy the file to at UNC path to the server, so mapped drives
are not a problem. then you could grab the UNC path and filename and
store that back in your database and format it as a hyperlink.
How to enforce it... hmm... set the path to the file on the server as
Required in your table design? Check the record in the BeforeInsert
event for a non-null/valid filepath, and if you don't have one, throw
up your own message.
If you wanted to be REALLY annoying, you could put use the OpenFileAPI
to point to the file and have that inside a do loop...

do
'prompt user for path to file on server
'use DIR to make sure the file is there.
loop until Dir("\\server\subfolder\file.doc")<>0

(See John Mishefske's post earlier... sorry can't remember the exact
syntax...)

Basically, you could prompt the user with an infinite loop - that
won't go away until the user supplies a valid path to the file on the
server. Annoying, I'm sure, but probably effective.

Nov 13 '05 #17
ch******@umbc.edu (Greg) wrote in message news:<f2**************************@posting.google. com>...
I'm fairly new to access (using 2002) and am setting up a DB for work.
along with each record the user also needs to make a flow diagram
(previously, these reports were composed in word and they used the
autoshapes to create this diagram). I was wondering what the best way
to incorporate this into the DB. I have read about how saving them as
pictures in the DB bloats the size, which is unacceptable, but it
needs to be easy to do (not making separate word file and have them
type in the path...) Is there an easy way to allow users to create
flow diagrams and link (or embed a small file) to the record?
Thanks in advance!

(I dont know much vb, but im willing to try it if i need to)


I would like to suggest you try using our Metadraw OCX
component on your Access form. MetaDraw will allow you
to add Diagramming support directly to your application.
This way you won't need to worry about what other applications
users have. Also it will all seem more tightly integrated for
your users. With MetaDraw you can allow the users to draw shapes,
add text, add diagram lines. When a shape is dragged diagram lines
automatically adjust to keep the connections. The overall layout
may be saved as a file in a variety of formats or you can even
save directly to a database field ( saving in vector format to
database field does not take much space at all - much smaller
than saving raster images for instance ). MetaDraw will also
support scrolling, zooming, printing, and much more.

Take a look at www.Bennet-Tec.com
See comments on Access compatibility on the Compatibility page
of the web site, and details on MetaDraw on the MetaDraw page.

I think this will meet your needs.

Note - when distributing database as an MDE file there are
no runtime license requirements or royalties.

I hope this is helpful to you.
-----

Jeff Bennett
Je**@Bennet-Tec.Com

* Bennet-Tec Information Systems, Inc
* 50 Jericho Tpk, Jericho, NY 11753
* Phone 516 997 5596, Fax - 5597
* RELIABLE Components Make You Look Sharp!
* TList/Pro * ALLText HT/Pro * MetaDraw *
* Custom Software Development Services Too.
* WWW.Bennet-Tec.Com

=================== ===================
Nov 13 '05 #18
"Bennet-Tec Components may only be placed within an Access FORM not on
an Access Report object.
TList, MetaDraw and ALLText do however have their own built in Printer
support mechanisms so it is easy to print content directly from an
Access Form."

does this mean that i cant use the diagrams they would make to the
report at all? the report is setup already and is printing with the
pictures inserted from separate files. storing the images externally
is not a problem, so i dont think this is going to really help, but if
it is a good way to make diagrams, and will print on the report, i may
be able to consider implementing it. thanks for the suggestion!

-Greg

je**@bennet-tec.com (Jeff Bennett) wrote in message news:<86*************************@posting.google.c om>...
ch******@umbc.edu (Greg) wrote in message news:<f2**************************@posting.google. com>...
> I'm fairly new to access (using 2002) and am setting up a DB for work.
> along with each record the user also needs to make a flow diagram
> (previously, these reports were composed in word and they used the
> autoshapes to create this diagram). I was wondering what the best way
> to incorporate this into the DB. I have read about how saving them as
> pictures in the DB bloats the size, which is unacceptable, but it
> needs to be easy to do (not making separate word file and have them
> type in the path...) Is there an easy way to allow users to create
> flow diagrams and link (or embed a small file) to the record?
> Thanks in advance!
>
> (I dont know much vb, but im willing to try it if i need to)


I would like to suggest you try using our Metadraw OCX
component on your Access form. MetaDraw will allow you
to add Diagramming support directly to your application.
This way you won't need to worry about what other applications
users have. Also it will all seem more tightly integrated for
your users. With MetaDraw you can allow the users to draw shapes,
add text, add diagram lines. When a shape is dragged diagram lines
automatically adjust to keep the connections. The overall layout
may be saved as a file in a variety of formats or you can even
save directly to a database field ( saving in vector format to
database field does not take much space at all - much smaller
than saving raster images for instance ). MetaDraw will also
support scrolling, zooming, printing, and much more.

Take a look at www.Bennet-Tec.com
See comments on Access compatibility on the Compatibility page
of the web site, and details on MetaDraw on the MetaDraw page.

I think this will meet your needs.

Note - when distributing database as an MDE file there are
no runtime license requirements or royalties.

I hope this is helpful to you.
-----

Jeff Bennett
Je**@Bennet-Tec.Com

* Bennet-Tec Information Systems, Inc
* 50 Jericho Tpk, Jericho, NY 11753
* Phone 516 997 5596, Fax - 5597
* RELIABLE Components Make You Look Sharp!
* TList/Pro * ALLText HT/Pro * MetaDraw *
* Custom Software Development Services Too.
* WWW.Bennet-Tec.Com

=================== ===================

Nov 13 '05 #19
While MetaDraw can only be placed on an Access FORM
you can have the users do their diagramming /drawing
within MetaDraw on the form, and then
save the resulting image from MetaDraw as either
a file or as an image in a database field which
could then be presented as part of a report.

Jeff

=================

Ic*******@umbc.edu (Greg) wrote in message news:<f2**************************@posting.google. com>...
"Bennet-Tec Components may only be placed within an Access FORM not on
an Access Report object.
TList, MetaDraw and ALLText do however have their own built in Printer
support mechanisms so it is easy to print content directly from an
Access Form." does this mean that i cant use the diagrams they would make to the
report at all? the report is setup already and is printing with the
pictures inserted from separate files. storing the images externally
is not a problem, so i dont think this is going to really help, but if
it is a good way to make diagrams, and will print on the report, i may
be able to consider implementing it. thanks for the suggestion!

-Greg

je**@bennet-tec.com (Jeff Bennett) wrote in message news:<86*************************@posting.google.c om>...
ch******@umbc.edu (Greg) wrote in message news:<f2**************************@posting.google. com>...
> I'm fairly new to access (using 2002) and am setting up a DB for work.
> along with each record the user also needs to make a flow diagram
> (previously, these reports were composed in word and they used the
> autoshapes to create this diagram). I was wondering what the best way
> to incorporate this into the DB. I have read about how saving them as
> pictures in the DB bloats the size, which is unacceptable, but it
> needs to be easy to do (not making separate word file and have them
> type in the path...) Is there an easy way to allow users to create
> flow diagrams and link (or embed a small file) to the record?
> Thanks in advance!
>
> (I dont know much vb, but im willing to try it if i need to)


I would like to suggest you try using our Metadraw OCX
component on your Access form. MetaDraw will allow you
to add Diagramming support directly to your application.
This way you won't need to worry about what other applications
users have. Also it will all seem more tightly integrated for
your users. With MetaDraw you can allow the users to draw shapes,
add text, add diagram lines. When a shape is dragged diagram lines
automatically adjust to keep the connections. The overall layout
may be saved as a file in a variety of formats or you can even
save directly to a database field ( saving in vector format to
database field does not take much space at all - much smaller
than saving raster images for instance ). MetaDraw will also
support scrolling, zooming, printing, and much more.

Take a look at www.Bennet-Tec.com
See comments on Access compatibility on the Compatibility page
of the web site, and details on MetaDraw on the MetaDraw page.

I think this will meet your needs.

Note - when distributing database as an MDE file there are
no runtime license requirements or royalties.

I hope this is helpful to you.
-----

Jeff Bennett
Je**@Bennet-Tec.Com

* Bennet-Tec Information Systems, Inc
* 50 Jericho Tpk, Jericho, NY 11753
* Phone 516 997 5596, Fax - 5597
* RELIABLE Components Make You Look Sharp!
* TList/Pro * ALLText HT/Pro * MetaDraw *
* Custom Software Development Services Too.
* WWW.Bennet-Tec.Com

=================== ===================

Nov 13 '05 #20
i see, thanks for the info. sorry to say i forgot to check pricing the
first time. they would rather leave it out then spend that much. :-\
sorry.

je**@bennet-tec.com (Jeff Bennett) wrote in message news:<86**************************@posting.google. com>...
While MetaDraw can only be placed on an Access FORM
you can have the users do their diagramming /drawing
within MetaDraw on the form, and then
save the resulting image from MetaDraw as either
a file or as an image in a database field which
could then be presented as part of a report.

Jeff

=================

Ic*******@umbc.edu (Greg) wrote in message news:<f2**************************@posting.google. com>...
"Bennet-Tec Components may only be placed within an Access FORM not on
an Access Report object.
TList, MetaDraw and ALLText do however have their own built in Printer
support mechanisms so it is easy to print content directly from an
Access Form."

does this mean that i cant use the diagrams they would make to the
report at all? the report is setup already and is printing with the
pictures inserted from separate files. storing the images externally
is not a problem, so i dont think this is going to really help, but if
it is a good way to make diagrams, and will print on the report, i may
be able to consider implementing it. thanks for the suggestion!

-Greg

je**@bennet-tec.com (Jeff Bennett) wrote in message news:<86*************************@posting.google.c om>...
ch******@umbc.edu (Greg) wrote in message news:<f2**************************@posting.google. com>...
> I'm fairly new to access (using 2002) and am setting up a DB for work.
> along with each record the user also needs to make a flow diagram
> (previously, these reports were composed in word and they used the
> autoshapes to create this diagram). I was wondering what the best way
> to incorporate this into the DB. I have read about how saving them as
> pictures in the DB bloats the size, which is unacceptable, but it
> needs to be easy to do (not making separate word file and have them
> type in the path...) Is there an easy way to allow users to create
> flow diagrams and link (or embed a small file) to the record?
> Thanks in advance!
>
> (I dont know much vb, but im willing to try it if i need to)

I would like to suggest you try using our Metadraw OCX
component on your Access form. MetaDraw will allow you
to add Diagramming support directly to your application.
This way you won't need to worry about what other applications
users have. Also it will all seem more tightly integrated for
your users. With MetaDraw you can allow the users to draw shapes,
add text, add diagram lines. When a shape is dragged diagram lines
automatically adjust to keep the connections. The overall layout
may be saved as a file in a variety of formats or you can even
save directly to a database field ( saving in vector format to
database field does not take much space at all - much smaller
than saving raster images for instance ). MetaDraw will also
support scrolling, zooming, printing, and much more.

Take a look at www.Bennet-Tec.com
See comments on Access compatibility on the Compatibility page
of the web site, and details on MetaDraw on the MetaDraw page.

I think this will meet your needs.

Note - when distributing database as an MDE file there are
no runtime license requirements or royalties.

I hope this is helpful to you.
-----

Jeff Bennett
Je**@Bennet-Tec.Com

* Bennet-Tec Information Systems, Inc
* 50 Jericho Tpk, Jericho, NY 11753
* Phone 516 997 5596, Fax - 5597
* RELIABLE Components Make You Look Sharp!
* TList/Pro * ALLText HT/Pro * MetaDraw *
* Custom Software Development Services Too.
* WWW.Bennet-Tec.Com

=================== ===================

Nov 13 '05 #21

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