Creating a theoretical Z function

Hey everyone, I need some help. I have an index of standard VB image controls on a form. The amount of indexes of the control is unknown, as they are added dynamically at different counts at different times.

I need help with creating a function that I can call to create a sort of pretend z-level. See, each image will have a different left and top value. I need to position the controls so, for example, the one with the farthest TOP value will be on top, and the one shortest with be on the bottom.

I understand how to use the .ZOrder method, but I'm not sure how I can use it to create this effect. I hope I explained this right, if not ask me and I'll try to be more detailed.

Thanks greatly to anyone who replies.

- Evan Sims

Trying to create a 3D application?

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DiGiTaIErRoR

I think this does what you want.

Code:

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    Dim MyCollection As New Collection ' Create a collection to hold Images sorted by Top
    Dim intIndex As Integer
    Dim intIndex2 As Integer
    Dim bAdded As Boolean
   
    ' Examine all the controls on the form
    For intIndex = 0 To Me.Controls.Count - 1
        If TypeOf Me.Controls(intIndex) Is Image Then
            ' It's an Image so add it to the collection
            If MyCollection.Count > 0 Then
                ' There are items in the collection, so compare their Top
                ' property to the Top property of the Image to be added
                For intIndex2 = 1 To MyCollection.Count
                    bAdded = False
                    If Me.Controls(intIndex).Top > MyCollection.Item(intIndex2).Top Then
                        ' It's greater so add the new Image before the one in the
                        ' collection we are comparing it to. The format of the Add statement
                        ' is "CollectionName, IndexString, Before"
                        MyCollection.Add Me.Controls(intIndex), Str(Me.Controls(intIndex).Top), intIndex2
                        bAdded = True
                        Exit For
                    End If
                Next intIndex2
                If Not bAdded Then
                    MyCollection.Add Me.Controls(intIndex), Str(Me.Controls(intIndex).Top)
                End If
            Else
                ' It's the first item in the collection, so just add it
                MyCollection.Add Me.Controls(intIndex), Str(Me.Controls(intIndex).Top)
            End If
        End If
    Next intIndex

    For intIndex = 1 To MyCollection.Count
        MyCollection.Item(intIndex).ZOrder
    Next

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Marty

Hi there. I had to change the line:

Code:

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If Form1.Controls(intIndex).Top > MyCollection.Item(intIndex2).Top Then

---

to...

Code:

---

If Form1.Controls(intIndex).Top < MyCollection.Item(intIndex2).Top Then

---

to get the effect I needed, but it works perfectly now. Thank you soooo much, you really saved my butt! :)

P.S. DiGiTaIErRoR-- Actually, it's a 2D-based map designer for a game I play, which required a few seeminly 3D-looking effects to come off all right. :)

[This message has been edited by Okaria Dragon (edited 12-12-1999).]

Your welcome. BTW you should probably check to see what happens if two of your images have exactly the same top. Do you need to change the comparison to <= ?

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Marty