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                               ReadMe.txt
                   for the DesktopImage.zip package
                              Version 2.0
                         for Visual dBase 7.01
                           10 September 1999
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1/ Introduction
   ------------

MDI interfaces provide end users a good and ergonomic presentation for 
today's business applications.
Many database applications are build with an MDI interface, Visual dBase 
itself being designed as an MDI application.

Such an MDI application involves the presence of a parent window, which 
itself contains several children windows.

In most MDI application, the parent window contains a desktop where 
the children windows are standing, opened or closed. This desktop generally
consists in a monochrome area, often grey, with basically no possibility to 
enhance it with any kind of decoration.

The purpose of the DesktopImage component is to give the ability to
add images to this desktop area, changing this background appearance,
in VdB's IDE environment or in any deployed MDI application built
with VdB 7.01.


2/ Distribution
   ------------

This package contains the following files:

	ReadMe.txt                           : this file
	DesktopImage.cc                      : the custom component file
	DemoSetImage.wfm                     : sets a desktop centered image
	DemoImageControl.wfm                 : shows how to control the image display
	DemoFlyingImages.wfm                 : really not serious demo, but fun!

If you deliver copies of these files, please include all these files together.

If you include part or entire code from these files, please keep the header
comments in these files as they are.

This package is freeware, so you can use it with no charge. There are
*no restriction* on using this source code package, no restrictions for its
distribution, provided that you don't ask for distribution fees.

The code has been developped with VdB 7.01, and tested under Win 95. 
Testing has been performed with MDI applications only: VdB's IDE environment 
and in a .exe deployed application.

3/ Instruction for use
   -------------------

This package is supplied as a ZIP file.
Simply unzip the package in a directory.
Each file is self documented, detailed instructions for use should 
be checked directly in their header comment.

One custom component is part of the package, it is contained in the 
file DesktopImage.cc. I recommend (but this is not compulsory) that you 
include this component in you component palette, at least the time to get 
used to it and to the demo programs.

Three demo programs are included in the package. I recommend that you 
run and examine these demo programs in the following order :

	- First, try DemoSetImage.wfm, it is the simplest one
	- Second, take a look at DemoControlImage.wfm
	- Third, run DemoFlyingImages.wfm.

Here is a brief description of each file, and what it is intented for.

	- DesktopImage.cc
		This file contains the component that is used to display its datasourced
		image on the desktop. Several properties and methods let you control 
		the image's position on the desktop, while the standard image class 
		properties let you control the appearance.

	- DemoSetImage.wfm
		This demo sets up a background image on VdB's (or your MDI deployed app) 
		grey background desktop. The image will be automatically centered.
		Any image type, that is supported by VdB's image class, can be used.

	- DemoImageControl.wfm
		This demo shows how you keep control of the background image once placed 
		on VdB's desktop (or any MDI deployed app).
		Like DemoSetImage.wfm, it will set up a centered background image, but 
		let you control the image's display with 2 buttons. 

	- DemoFlyingImages.wfm
		This will pick up all the images contained in the  \Artwork\Splash
		directory and display them in the desktop area. Each image will then be 
		animated (moved) in some direction, bouncing on the desktop edges.
		Not really useful but try it just for fun.


4/ Warranty
   --------

This Software is provided `as is', without express or implied warranty.

As this software is delivered as freeware, the author will not be responsible 
for the correction of any bugs or other deficiencies . In no event the author
shall be liable for any damage of any kind, including special, indirect or 
consequent damages, arising in connection with the use of this Software.

