xyChartDemo - GDIPLUS XY graphing demonstration

[Harrison Pratt]

I decided it was time to learn to use GDIPLUS by writing a useful demonstration application.

This demo application (xyChartDemo) uses GDIPLUS to draw an XY graph with multiple data series and dynamically modifiable display properties in a resizeable window. Once I worked through translating MSDN C# code and hints to VIP, and evolved a workable code model, it became relatively smooth going.

The working code is in the Chart_PACK package and should be able to be added to a new or existing package without complication. I plan to add more capability beyond simple XY graphing.

I expect I'll get suggestions for improvement on this from the VIP community -- they are welcome!

Feel free to use and modify Chart_PACK as you wish.

You can download the full ZIPped project here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9B9r ... zU2bkdveHM

PDF Documentation: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9B9r ... HFzU01NNTQ

[Paul Cerkez]

Harrison,
Great job. I've been wanting to do more work in GDIPlus inside of VIP since I presented my paper at the VIP ALC back in 2006. I've done some minor tinkering but too many issues/demands in my day job to devote much time to it unfortunately. Glad to see this.

[Harrison Pratt]

UPGRADE FOR Vip8:
The original version of xyChartDemo was developed with Vip7 and is not plug-and-play compatible with Vip8 due to some minor changes in the version 8 PFC Graphics class. I have made the necessary changes (mostly in Chart.pro), added a few trivial features (e.g., save and recall named graph display properties) and improved the documentation. The Chart_PACK package can be used directly in your applications.

The download link to the new Zip file for xyChartDemo_Vip8 is here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tFBFH ... 6MOjJlkHO6

Right-click the link and Save As ... to download the project Zip file.

[choibakk]

This is great! I have the demo working on V9. However, I needed to change the following:

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    %fNameLABEL = "Lucida Sans". % used for axis labels
    %fNameVALUE = "Lucida Sans". % used for axis values at tics & grids
    fNameLABEL = "Arial". % used for axis labels
    fNameVALUE = "Arial". % used for axis values at tics & grids

Because in chartDecoration.pro at line #243 crashes if you do not have the named font installed at the following call.

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    fontValues() = FONT :-
        FF = fontFamily::createFromName(fNameVALUE), % THIS CALL CRASHES IF THE FONT IS NOT INSTALLED
        FS = 0,
        FONT = font::createFromFontFamily(FF, 8, FS, unitPixel).

The exception is thrown in "fontfamily.pro" #20.

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clauses
    createFromName(Name, Collection) :-
        checkStatus(gdiplus_native::gdipCreateFontFamilyFromName(Name, Collection:nativeFontCollection, NativeFontFamily)),
        newNative(NativeFontFamily).

In the "gdiplus_native::gdipCreateFontFamilyFromName" call. I'm not sure why I don't have "Lucida Sans" on my system, but it is a clean Windows 8 virtual machine.

Anyways, It works when I make sure the font is valid.

Thanks again, and Cheers!

[Harrison Pratt]

Hi Choibakk!

I'm glad you found the demo helpful.

Lucida Sans is installed with Win10 -- I didn't think of setting up the demo for older versions of windows. I'm glad you could fix the problem.

My code could be cleaned up and some day I may get around to that ... feel free to 'tune it up' and re-post it if you want. It won't hurt my feelings.

Harrison