Writing my first program. Seeking veteran VB user help.

Hi, I am a 16 year old who just decided to create a program with my dad's VB6, I have been interested in making programs before but I've never got my mind set to do so.

The program itself shouldn't be very complex (But what do I know about VB? :() it is a personalized image viewer of sort.

First I want to make a splash screen for my program, but as I run the program, it goes straight to my frmMain and skips the splash screen completely.

If anyone out there is willing to help me. I will send you my progress as I go along, explain what I'm trying to achieve with my program via pictures, and I will most definately be grateful and include a thanks to you in my program. (It's not much, but I guess a way of showing gratitude.)

Hopefully someone out there will be willing to help me build my program step by step. All help will be appreciated. :)

this is how u can set the spash screen to be the first screen to show:

Select project in the menu, choose project properties.
There u can select which form is the startup form, choose your splash screen

I Just turned 17 and i have to save your in for the time of your life cuz vb is fun and easy . I have created complex and simple programs.

About the splash screen if you want have it load when your form loads and have it load it MODAL to your form like

Code:

---

Private Sub Form_Load()
frmSplash.Show Modal, Me
End Sub

---

try it.

Thank you schuurke28 and JasonLpz for your help in the beginning of my first program. Your help does not go unappreciated.

What I want to achieve in my program, is to create an image viewer.

So in frmMain I will have imgMain which will show images which have been pre-selected by an existing database. There will be 2 buttons, cmdNext and cmdPrevious and a drop-down list for navigation through the images.

Now, my dad has told me that to do that I need to create the database first and link it to the controls.

Could anyone help me out to create a database and how to link them with my controls?

PS. Once again, the splash screen help worked succesfully. Thank you for your help.

Here is an example of images in a database. Courtesy of Beacon.

at the moment i just finished createing a image viewer if you would like some code or the program tell me its a simple image viewer no complex sH** lol. heres a image of it

http://www.vbforums.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=585939

I'm 16, been doing VB since version 3, it is pretty simple. I reccomend for simple database replacement the INI API, rather than worry about SQL and all INI's just make it really easy.

I don't konw if I totally understand what you want, but eMail me if you want help, my eMail is in my profile...

Josh

[EDIT: I noticed that in the tutorial you actually have the image in the database, you can't do that with an INI file, it just saves the path, this is what I would recomend unless you actually want to use a database.]

Wow I am very impressed. May I get the code for your program so I could take a closer look at it?

My e-mail address is [email protected]

i would also recommend writing and reading a ini file. A LOT easier than working with Databases.

You can also e-mail me if ya need help. (see below):cool:

Thanks for all your help. I have yet more questions about VB, is it possible to make my program search an assigned folder for all files with the *.bmp extention whenever the program is started and put it in a list in a combo alphabetically so I could navigate them with ease?

Also, is it possible for me to cue a sound clip as the splash screen is launched?

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Almasy
Thanks for all your help. I have yet more questions about VB, is it possible to make my program search an assigned folder for all files with the *.bmp extention whenever the program is started and put it in a list in a combo alphabetically so I could navigate them with ease?

---

Drop a FileList control on a form, set the path and pattern properties.

Quote:

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Also, is it possible for me to cue a sound clip as the splash screen is launched?

---

See this tip http://www.vbsquare.com/graphics/tip402.html

To play a sound use this.

VB Code:

'Play A sound
'Paste this code into a bas module
'
'API Function to play the sound
'
Declare Function sndPlaySound Lib "winmm" Alias _
"sndPlaySoundA" (ByVal lpszSoundName As String, _
ByVal uFlags As Long) As Long
'
' play synchronously (default)
    Public Const SND_SYNC = &H0
' play asynchronously
    Public Const SND_ASYNC = &H1
' loop the sound until next
    Public Const SND_LOOP = &H8
 
'=====================================================
 
'Paste this code into the main
'from your main program (button or load or whatever):
'call the function using your wave file & location..replace "A:\whoosh.wav"
'
 Call sndPlaySound(ByVal "a:\whoosh.wav", SND_ASYNC)
'to stop it playing
 call sndPlaySound("")

Quote:

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Originally posted by chrisjk
Drop a FileList control on a form, set the path and pattern properties.See this tip http://www.vbsquare.com/graphics/tip402.html

---

Where would I enter the path properties? I can't seem to find it.

Plus, How would I make it so that my imgMain will load the first item on the filelist and to navigate the filelist with cmdPrevious and cmdNext buttons?

http://www.vbsquare.com/graphics/tip402.html

that tip is for playing a sound not the folder thing.

I would just use the code i listed above to play the sound.
:D

Zevlag:
"[EDIT: I noticed that in the tutorial you actually have the image in the database, you can't do that with an INI file, it just saves the path, this is what I would recomend unless you actually want to use a database.]"

And this is in reference to what!
Look at the title: "Storing Images in an Access Database" i dont say anything about a .ini file! But you do make a good point though i'm pretty sure you could store an image in an .ini file but why the hell would you! Not the image but the binary data!

Stickman:
I disagree learn databases!

Quote:

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Originally posted by Beacon
Stickman:
I disagree learn databases! [/B]

---

I didn't say he shouldn't learn them, but i think ini files would work fine for the job all that is needed is storing the path to the pictures.:)


Maybe i misunderstand what he wants to do.

Does he want to actually store the picture or just store where they are located so they can be viewed with the viewer?:rolleyes:

oh sorry!!!:)

Perhaps but what if he wants to say have them indexed as well by filename, title, description, extension, size, project etc etc. surely there's more extended choices in dtabases than in a .ini file.

I agree databases would be better for extended information and what not. :D

And learning DB is a good idea anyways ;)

Almasy I have sent you the source hope it helps you and plz no one else ask me for the source. If anyone needs help though tell me.

Ok maybe I should have been more clear on what I wanted to achieve. What I want is a Filelistbox which will show all the *.bmp files in an assigned folder. And when the program is first launched, it will automatically view the first item on the filelistbox.

I want 2 commands cmdPrevious and cmdNext to allow navigation through the .bmp files of the filelistbox with ease. The pictures will be displayed in the imgMain

I would like to be able to designate the folder and make presets (assigned directories i.e. c:\downloads\pictures1)

P.S. I would like the filelistbox to list the files in alphabetical order

1 question did u make that program layout/skin or is it because the way your windows is setup?

yeah its a skin. So anyone can enjoy it lol

JasonLPZ, your program sure is impressive. I like how you created a custom skin for the program. What seemed annoying is it kept telling me I should register my ActiveSkin file :p . I'm very wowed by your skinning job and I was wondering how did you enforce it into your program, will it do that annoying register thing in the .exe form, and are there any other skins you can use.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Almasy
Where would I enter the path properties? I can't seem to find it.

---

Just enter them at runtime

VB Code:

Private Sub Form_Load()
 
File1.Path = "C:\My Documents\"
File1.Pattern = "*.jpg;*.bmp"
 
End Sub

Hey JasonLpz could you send me the code and stuff for your menus and Close, Minimize, and Restore buttons? I really like that effect..e-mail it to me at [email protected]. Thanks.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Almasy
I want 2 commands cmdPrevious and cmdNext to allow navigation through the .bmp files of the filelistbox with ease. The pictures will be displayed in the imgMain

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VB Code:

Private Sub cmdBack_Click()
 
If File1.ListIndex >= 1 Then File1.ListIndex = File1.ListIndex - 1
 
End Sub
 
Private Sub cmdNext_Click()
 
If File1.ListIndex < File1.ListCount - 1 Then File1.ListIndex = File1.ListIndex + 1
 
End Sub

Quote:

---

Originally posted by chrisjk
Just enter them at runtime

VB Code:

Private Sub Form_Load()
 
File1.Path = "C:\My Documents\"
File1.Pattern = "*.jpg;*.bmp"
 
End Sub

---

I put them exactly as you told but it resulted in runtime error '424' object required.

*Edit* I fixed the name of the Filelistbox and it works wonders. Sorry for confusion

Did you put a FileListBox on the form. It must be a filelist box, not a normal listbox

adding to chris's code:

Private Sub Form_Load()

File1.Path = "C:\My Documents\"
File1.Pattern = "*.jpg;*.bmp"
image1.picture = loadpicture(file1.list(0))

End Sub

off the top of me head!
And chris r u on whizz??? What the time there?

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Beacon
And chris r u on whizz??? What the time there?

---

No E's or Whizz...it's only 10 to 3 ;)

ok its a skin program by soft shape.

http://www.softshape.com/activeskin/

Its $99 (wow alot not really if you look around you can get it free) Ya all didnt hear it from me lol

Anyway its asking you for the ocx registering cuz its not installed on your pc when the exe is made and you install it on your PC with the setup program, it will not ask for it it will be perfect (Hopefully lol)

Almasy check your mail and

chrisjk

Its a FileListBox & DriveListBox & Text Box be creative and it will be worth it i had fun doing this program.

Thank you everyone for your support so far. Beacon, your addon to view the first image on the top of the list doesn't work for some reason :( it says the picture file does not exist.

Now I would like to add a feature on the program. Is it possible to make an in program button, namely cmdDirectory to change the paths in the program?

Almasy - Here is a small portion of code to get you thinking of how to accomplish a image viewer.

Quote:

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Originally posted by JasonLpz
chrisjk

Its a FileListBox & DriveListBox & Text Box be creative and it will be worth it i had fun doing this program.

---

Come again?

Quote:

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Is it possible to make an in program button, namely cmdDirectory to change the paths in the program?

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Yes, just set the path like I showed you. You could use this code to enhance the usability by letting them chose from the Standard Windows dialog

VB Code:

Private Type BrowseInfo
    hWndOwner As Long
    pIDLRoot As Long
    pszDisplayName As Long
    lpszTitle As Long
    ulFlags As Long
    lpfnCallback As Long
    lParam As Long
    iImage As Long
End Type
Const BIF_RETURNONLYFSDIRS = 1
Const MAX_PATH = 260
Private Declare Sub CoTaskMemFree Lib "ole32.dll" (ByVal hMem As Long)
Private Declare Function lstrcat Lib "kernel32" Alias "lstrcatA" (ByVal lpString1 As String, ByVal lpString2 As String) As Long
Private Declare Function SHBrowseForFolder Lib "shell32" (lpbi As BrowseInfo) As Long
Private Declare Function SHGetPathFromIDList Lib "shell32" (ByVal pidList As Long, ByVal lpBuffer As String) As Long
Private Sub Form_Load()
    'KPD-Team 1998
    'URL: [url]http://www.allapi.net/[/url]
    '[email protected]
    Dim iNull As Integer, lpIDList As Long, lResult As Long
    Dim sPath As String, udtBI As BrowseInfo
 
    With udtBI
        'Set the owner window
        .hWndOwner = Me.hWnd
        'lstrcat appends the two strings and returns the memory address
        .lpszTitle = lstrcat("C:\", "")
        'Return only if the user selected a directory
        .ulFlags = BIF_RETURNONLYFSDIRS
    End With
 
    'Show the 'Browse for folder' dialog
    lpIDList = SHBrowseForFolder(udtBI)
    If lpIDList Then
        sPath = String$(MAX_PATH, 0)
        'Get the path from the IDList
        SHGetPathFromIDList lpIDList, sPath
        'free the block of memory
        CoTaskMemFree lpIDList
        iNull = InStr(sPath, vbNullChar)
        If iNull Then
            sPath = Left$(sPath, iNull - 1)
        End If
    End If
 
    MsgBox sPath
End Sub

Private Sub Form_Load()

File1.Path = "C:\My Documents\"
File1.Pattern = "*.jpg;*.bmp"
image1.picture = loadpicture(file1.list(0))

End Sub


IS NOT WHAT I USE

Code:

---

I Use the below
Private Sub SkinButton1_Click()
If File1.FileName = "" Then
MsgBox "No File Selected", vbCritical, "No File"
Unload Me
Else
Dim FileName As String
If Text1.Text = "C:\" Then
FileName = Text1 & File1.FileName
Form1.Image1.Picture = LoadPicture(FileName)
Unload Me
Else
FileName = Dir1.Path & "\" & File1.FileName
Form1.Image1.Picture = LoadPicture(FileName)
Unload Me
End If
End If
End Sub

---

Quote:

---

Originally posted by JasonLpz
IS NOT WHAT I USE

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A) I don't care
B) Don't shout at me

WHY DO YOU GUYS TURN SOMETHING SIMPLE INTO A HELL > ALL THAT CODE ISNT NEEDED MAN JUST KEEP IT LOW

You need to take some pills man, now let the grown ups discuss VB whilst you play with your Action Man.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by chrisjk
A) I don't care
B) Don't shout at me

---

If i was shouting at you i would put !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! im just making sure you all know what i dont use ok and too bad if you dont care . Do you get mood swings ?? LOL DONT Bark at me man.

You say

Quote:

---

You need to take some pills man, now let the grown ups discuss VB whilst you play with your Action Man

---

yet your a grown up ?????????????

I Dont think so!

You're only making a tit out of yourself. What is this? You first time getting drunk?

Irrational outbursts are apparently your forte, not mine.

Calm Down you guys, I'm still relying on you guys for your help. I don't want this thread to become a thread war :(

I'm still having troubles with my program automatically loading the first picture of the list, it keeps telling me that the source file (image) does not exist.

Jason:

Are you coming off heroin or something coz chris sure didnt deserve that!

2ndly this doesnt make no sense at all!
"WHY DO YOU GUYS TURN SOMETHING SIMPLE INTO A HELL > ALL THAT CODE ISNT NEEDED MAN JUST KEEP IT LOW"

Almasy:

Sorry here ya go:

Private Sub Form_Load()

File1.Path = "C:\My Documents\"
File1.Pattern = "*.jpg;*.bmp"
image1.Picture = LoadPicture(File1.Path & "\" & File1.List(0))

End Sub

Hows that!

You have to put File1.Path before File1.List(0) because it only returns the filename otherwise (You need the whole path)

Sorry chrisjk I did Over Do It. We all are here to help each other its that im tired and slept only like 5 hours in 3 days and need rest

and Beacon please i wasnt talking to you keep out thanks

http://www.vbforums.com/avatar.php?u...line=994309904
im not on drugs mayber your drunk

I thought you wernt talking to me????

"im not on drugs mayber your drunk"
By the way your typing i wouldnt say i was the one drunk!

Please stop arguing :(

Anyways, how do I make it so that If I were to double click an image in my file1 it will show up in my image1?

Beacon, the code you told me still doesn't work.. :( Nothing Shows Up

1)
Private Sub File1_DblClick()
Dim strpic As String
strpic = File1.Path & "\" & File1.FileName
img.Picture = LoadPicture(strpic) 'loads picture
End Sub

2) It should do???
Any errors?

Well, I have a couple suggestions. You can use them or forget about them..

When I'm getting the path and filename so the image can be shown, I prefer not to just throw a backslash in the middle like Beacon did. This is because you end up having double-backslashes if the file is in the root directory (c:\, d:\, etc). Instead, I've made a PutSlash function that makes sure a string ends in a backslash:

VB Code:

Private Function PutSlash(sString As String) As String
If Right(sString, 1) <> "\" Then
    PutSlash = sString & "\"
Else
    PutSlash = sString
End If
End Function
 
'Now here is Beacon's code modified to use the PutShash 
'function.  It was also changed so it doesn't show an error if
'there are no images.
Private Sub Form_Load()
File1.Path = "C:\My Documents\"
File1.Pattern = "*.jpg;*.bmp"
On Error Resume Next
Image1.Picture = LoadPicture(PutSlash(File1.Path) & File1.List(0))
End Sub
 
'If you want to show an image when the file list box gets double-
'clicked, this should do the trick.  It also uses my PutSlash
'function.  I suggest changing it so you show the file when it gets
'clicked instead of double-clicked.
Private Sub File1_DblClick()
Image1.Picture = LoadPicture(PutSlash(File1.Path) & File1.List(File1.ListIndex))
End Sub
 
'I also suggest using this code so the keyboard buttons can be 
'used to switch images:
Private Sub File1_KeyUp(KeyCode As Integer, Shift As Integer)
Static LastIndex As Long
On Error Resume Next
If LastIndex <> File1.ListIndex Then
    Image1.Picture = LoadPicture(PutSlash(File1.Path) & File1.List(File1.ListIndex))
    LastIndex = File1.ListIndex
End If
End Sub

Well It works wonders now, thank you everyone. I mostly imitated the source code that stickman showed. Thank you

I now use a txtPath to determine the destination

So this is my proposal, when I press cmdDirectory, I want a messege box asking for the new directory. Which will replace the current text in txtPath.

Also my images appear "ugly" when I set the image property to "stretch"so the image won't take up more than the designated area. Is there a way I can do a "best fit" of the area given?

Well you could just set stretch to false and the image box will resize itself accordingly!
And maybe have it check to see if it's too big for the form or set a maximum size!

2)
Perhaps do the following:

Make another form and set it's Border Style property to 4!

Then wack on a drive list box and a dir list box and then a command button called cmdOK.

Then add this code to that form:

VB Code:

Private Sub cmdOk_Click()
Form1.File1.Path = Form2.Dir1.Path
Form1.File1.Refresh
Unload Me
End Sub
 
Private Sub Drive1_Change()
Dir1.Path = Drive1.Drive
End Sub

Add this to your cmdDirectory button:

VB Code:

Private Sub cmdDirectory_Click()
Load Form2
Form2.Visible = True
File1.Path = Form2.Dir1.Path
File1.Refresh
End Sub

I am currently using a picture1 instead of an image1 because with the skin thing that JasonLPZ introduced me to, it won't view images. But it will show pictures

*edit* I took a closer look at how JasonLPZ achieved his, I am currently using Image1 now :)

What I have yet to do is if I double-click an image in the filelistbox, it needs to come up to image1 directly. Can anyone help?

Almasy:
Both tygur and me posted code on how to do this!:confused:

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Beacon
Almasy:
Both tygur and me posted code on how to do this!:confused:

---

I'm so sorry :( I'm so dumb. I'll check again

2 questions for now.

if I go into form2 to change directories, then pressing cancel = it will show my filelistbox in frmMain as blank and get the same error as above. I think the problem here is that even if I cancel, it still erases the current path that I have.

As for the "cancel" command for form2, I have

Private Sub cmdCancel_Click()
Unload Me
End Sub

-

Finally, last question for today before I go to sleep, is how do I make the folder un-defined because when I finish this program, I will be putting it on a CD, as a standalone with all the images in e:\data so I can't be relying on c:\my documents\my pictures

So what I'm trying to say is how do I make it so that the directory that is defined is ALWAYS below the path where the main .exe is located at. (i.e. if program.exe was in c:\ it would always look for c:\data and if it were in c:\program files it would always look for c:\program files\data

1)
Private Sub cmdDirectory_Click()
Load Form2
Form2.Visible = True
End Sub

2)
Use app.path for example:

If i had all my picture stored in the same folder as my application i'd do this:

File1.path = app.path & "\"

OR
if they were in a folder in the same directory as my app i'd do this:

file1.path = app.path & "\TEST\"

Hows that?

It works beautifully, thank you :) Well I'm off to sleep now, thank you all. I'll be back tomorow with more questions :D