Use of hot keys

rbuser

Is it possible to use hot-keys in prewiev mode.

In our application if user desire print out to the printer he must use
mouse to click the "Print" button. Is it possible to activate printing
using some hot keys like Ctrl + P?

Martin.

nicocizik

Hi Martin,

You will need to create a custom preview plugin that exposes the OnKeyDown
event in order to accomplish this. Below is a snip of code and an article
on creating a preview plugin..

-----------------------------------------
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.


---------
HotKey example....


unit HotKeyPrintPlugin;

interface

uses
Classes, Windows,
ppPreview;

type

TmyHotKeyPrint = class(TppPreview)
public
procedure KeyDown(var Key: Word; Shift: TShiftState); override;

end;

implementation

{ TmyHotKeyPrint }

procedure TmyHotKeyPrint.KeyDown(var Key: Word; Shift: TShiftState);
begin

inherited KeyDown(Key, Shift);

if (Shift = []) and (Key = VK_F8) then
Print;

end;

initialization
TppPreviewPlugIn.Register(TmyHotKeyPrint);

finalization
TppPreviewPlugIn.UnRegister(TmyHotKeyPrint);


end.


--
Regards,

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