Developers Guide and Report Builder Version

rbuser

What version of Report Builder does the RbuilderSecondEdition.pdf date
12/1/2000 and RBuilderThirdEdition.pdf date 6/13/2002 apply to? The reason
I ask is I am trying to create a custom print preview(I want to add a button
to email the previewed report using TExtraDevices to create the report in a
pdf format). When I follow the Developers Guide instructions I open the
ppPrvDlg.pas from the Rbuilder/Source subdirectory the form is blank. I am
using Report Builder Enterprise 6.03 with Delphi 5.0 Professional Update
Pack 1 (Build 6.18). If there is an easier way to accomplish this task I
would appreciate any suggestions. I would prefer not to have to add a email
button on each of my report forms but I will if it is necessary. Thanks for
any help in advance.



-------------------
Ray Long
ray.long@mandatasys.com
Management Data Systems, Inc.

nicocizik

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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.


Example: http://www.digital-metaphors.com/tips/PreviewPlugIn.zip

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