Save information drawn on a form

[maxtillberg]

Hi,
I have used the ImageLib library to draw a rather complex image on the form made out of a hundred small images (with transparency) and some text. From time to time I plan to cover the entire screen with a messagewindow made of a large image with text on it and wonder if anybody knows of a way to store the original information (in a bitmap?) of the form so I can restore the screen after the messagewindow is closed without redraw all the hundres small images?

I have tried to draw the messagewindow on the forelayer but this causes the screen to flicker (I don't konw how to stop the automatic refresh of the forelayer). I have also tried to use images and imagebuttons but they don't handle transparency or positioning of the text.

Sincerely,
Max Tillberg

[agraham]

Could you use a second separate form for the message window?

[maxtillberg]

I never thought of that, I will try it. Thanks.

Sincerely,
Max Tillberg

[maxtillberg]

To be able to use two full screen forms I guess I have to use the following code

Sub App_Start
Form1.Show
flb.New1("Form1",B4PObject(1))
flb.FullScreen(CPPC)
flb.New1("Form2",B4PObject(1))
flb.FullScreen(CPPC)
drawer.New1("Form1",false)
End Sub

drawer.New1("Form2",false) 'After a button is pressed
'...Draw the information on Form2

'And finaly
Form2.Close 'after a new button is pressed

Is this the best way to work with two forms?

Sincerely,
Max Tillberg

[Cableguy]

Not too sure but, i was under the impression that, once in fullscreen, all forms were afected by the setting...

As I sai, not sure...
Your code look correct, still I would suggest that you create 2 diferent objects for the forms, so that you can use the library in a more restrictive way...

[Erel]

As Cableguy wrote you should add two FormLib objects (one for each form).

[maxtillberg]

The second form was fullscreen on the PC but not the PocketPC.

I added a second formlib and changed the code to

flb1.New1("Form1",B4PObject(1))
flb1.FullScreen(CPPC)
flb2.New1("Form2",B4PObject(1))
flb2.FullScreen(CPPC)

Should I use two drawers as well?

Sincerely,
Max Tillberg

[Erel]

If you use drawers to draw on the forms then you should create one for each form.

[maxtillberg]

Hi again,
One more question about using two full screen forms. When I run the program on a PC the program window remember it's position for each form; if I move the progam window when the message window form is open, the entire program moves to it's original position when I hide this form. Is there a way to avoid this?

Sincerely,
Max Tillberg

[agraham]

A form has undocumented Top and Left properties. See this link

Is there a way to keep the screen in the same location.