Custom previewer

rbuser

I think were on report builder v9.2, Delphi 6, using Advantage database.
What has happened to the custom preview examples that used to be in rb v6x..
The examples dont seem to be there any longer from the installation. Is
there any, and if so how do we get to them. Many thanks Antony

nicocizik

Hi Antony,

There is now a new archetecture in place to create a custom preview in your
applications. See the article below for information on creating a preview
plugin. If you would like to see an example of the "old" way of replacing
the preview form, take a look at the tutorial example located in the
\RBuilder\Tutorials\Complete\II. Applications\01. Reporting\... directory.

-----------------------------------------
Article: Creating a Preview Plugin
-----------------------------------------

Q: I've followed the tutorials and registered a Preview Form replacement but
that did not affect the TppDesigner's Preview workspace.


A: Do not use the form replacement, but rather, there is a different
architecture built into the preview form that is registered by default.



You will need to register a TppPreview descendent. The class you register
is used to create the preview controls inside the standard print preview
form and the designer preview workspace.


Here is an example of creating a simple custom preview that access the
viewer its been assigned in order to change the page color. You can also do
more advanced operations such as adding and removing buttons and change the
behavior of the preview form. Access the inherited controls via. protected
properties and override the virtual methods in order to customize behavior.

Open ppPreview.pas and view the TppPreview class as a guide to create a
custom preview descendent.


unit MyPreviewPlugin;

interface

uses
ppPreview;

type
TMyPreviewPlugin = class(TppPreview)
public
procedure BeforePreview; override;

end;


implementation

uses
Graphics;


procedure TMyPreviewPlugin.BeforePreview;
begin
inherited BeforePreview;

Viewer.PageColor := clRed;

end;

initialization
TppPreviewPlugIn.Register(TMyPreviewPlugin);

finalization
TppPreviewPlugIn.UnRegister(TMyPreviewPlugin);

end.

--
Regards,

Nico Cizik
Digital Metaphors
http://www.digital-metaphors.com

rbuser

Nico

We now have a bright red form.

How do we add an extra button to the Standard toolbar so we can email the
report?

ppPreview states

@TppPreview.StandardToolbar

Contains the preview controls for the page setting and the page
navigation
controls. The autosearch and text seach buttons are also located in this
toolbar. Use this toolbar if you want to add controls in a TppPreview
plugin
descendent


but how????

Sorry to be thick but we are well outside our confort zone and have no
experiance of override and other such commands and are basically stumbling
along in the dark. Is there a more extensive custom preview form example
we can use to get ideas from?

I have searched Tamaracka.com for other clues. Judging by the number of
similar cries for help on this subject and the time it must take you to
create each reply, a detail project could save you considerable time.

Thanks in advance.

nicocizik

Hi Philip,

Take a look at the following example of adding a new button to the preview
window in order to alter the print settings...

http://www.digital-metaphors.com/tips/AddPrinterSettingsButtonToPreview.zip

--
Regards,

Nico Cizik
Digital Metaphors
http://www.digital-metaphors.com

rbuser

Thank you - would never have got anywhere near without your help.

Regards

PLJ