Chapter 7
Working With Graphics and Objects
askSam Concepts in this Chapter:
• Working with Graphics
• What is Object Linking & Embedding
• Working with Linked Objects
• Working with Embedded Objects
Using Graphics in askSam
askSam cannot create graphics, but it does allow you to insert graphics into askSam documents. There are three ways to insert a graphic:
· Pasting it from the Clipboard
· Inserting it with the Insert Picture command
· Using OLE (Object Linking and Embedding 2.0)
The first part of this chapter deals with pasting graphics from the Clipboard and the Insert Picture command. OLE is described in the second part of the chapter.
Since askSam does not create graphics, you must copy your graphics from another program to the Windows Clipboard and then paste them into askSam. You can paste these graphics directly into Documents or Entry Forms.
To Paste a Graphic into askSam:
1. Go to the application containing the graphic you want to copy into askSam.
2. Select the graphic.
3. Choose EDIT -> COPY in the application.
4. Go to askSam.
NOTE: Provided you have enough memory, Windows allows you to have multiple applications open in separate windows. You can then switch through open applications by pressing ALT+TAB.
5. Position the cursor in the askSam Document or Entry Form where you want the graphic inserted.
6. Choose EDIT -> PASTE (or press CTRL+V) and the graphic will be inserted at the cursor position.
NOTES:
1. By default, graphics pasted via the Clipboard are inserted in askSam as OLE objects. To insert a graphic in another format, choose EDIT -> PASTE SPECIAL and select the format you want
for the graphic.
2. You can paste graphics from the clipboard into askSam. Most popular graphics formats are supported except for GIF format.
The EDIT -> INSERT -> PICTURE command inserts a graphic in an askSam Document or Entry Form. The
INSERT PICTURE command imports graphics from a variety of formats.
To Insert a Graphic:
1. Place the cursor where you want to insert the graphic.
2. Choose EDIT -> INSERT -> PICTURE.
The Insert Picture dialog box will appear.
3. Select the graphic file you want to insert and choose OPEN.
The graphic is inserted in your document.
After you insert a graphic, there are several ways to modify the image.
To Edit a Graphic:
1. Click on the graphic you wish to edit.
The graphic will be selected. Handles appear around the graphic.
2. Choose FORMAT -> PICTURE.
A menu will appear with the following commands:
COMMAND FUNCTION
Flip Horizontal Flips the graphic horizontally.
Flip Vertical Flips the graphic vertically.
Rotate Rotates the graphic 90, 180, or 270 degrees.
Invert Inverts the colors in the graphic (normally used with black and white images).
Adjust Adjusts the brightness, contrast, and sharpness of the graphic.
3. Choose the desired command and your graphic is modified.
NOTE: The FORMAT -> PICTURE command will not work on OLE objects.
You can change the size of a graphic inserted in askSam.
To resize a Graphic:
1. Go to the Document or Entry Form containing the graphic.
2. Click on the graphic with the mouse.
Handles will appear around the graphic.
3. Click and Drag any of the handles to resize the graphic.
NOTE: To remove the handles from your graphics, click the mouse in the Work Space.
To delete a Graphic:
1. Go to the Document or Entry Form containing the graphic.
2. Use the cursor keys or the mouse to select the graphic.
3. Choose EDIT -> DELETE (or press DEL).
The graphic will be deleted.
NOTES:
1. Graphics can also be deleted by using the DEL or BSP Keys.
2. Graphics and OLE objects are automatically stored in a compressed format.
Object Linking And Embedding
Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) allows you to insert objects from other applications into your database. Graphics, pictures, sounds, video clips, or worksheets can be inserted into your information and retain their connection to the application in which they were created.
OLE is made up of two components: Object Linking and Object Embedding. Both allow you to insert objects into an askSam Document, but they do it in different ways.
When you LINK an object, the object is stored in the application where it was created. askSam creates a link to this object. Any change made to the object in the source file is reflected in the object displayed in askSam. This is an excellent way to link data from a spreadsheet. It ensures that you always retrieve up-to-date figures in your askSam Document.
When an object is EMBEDDED, the object is actually stored in your askSam Document. To edit this object, you can double click on it in askSam and start the associated application.
Various applications handle OLE in different ways. Some applications act as "OLE Servers", providing objects to other applications. Other applications act as "OLE Clients" storing the objects from the Servers. Some applications are both OLE Servers and Clients. askSam is an OLE Client allowing you to include objects from other applications in your Documents.
askSam and OLE are an exciting combination. OLE allows askSam to "borrow" capabilities from other Windows programs, these include such things as: playing video and sound or displaying spreadsheet information and graphics. askSam's full text search and flexible database functions make it an ideal program for managing various types of information. Imagine askSam databases, providing pricing information, up-to-date sales figures, graphic images of the products, virtually anything.
The various types of Objects display differently. Sound and Text Objects are often displayed as icons in your askSam Documents. Once you have inserted Objects into an askSam Document or into an Entry Form, double clicking on the icon plays back the message or displays the text that it represents.
Working With Linked Objects
When you LINK an object to an askSam Document or Entry Form, askSam stores a link to the Serving Application and its data. The following procedures will explain how you can establish and maintain these links between askSam and other Windows Applications.
To link an object to an askSam Document:
1. Start the Server Application and create or open the Object you wish to insert into askSam.
2. Use the mouse or the cursor keys to select the object in the Server Application.
3. Choose EDIT -> COPY in the Server Application.
The selected Object will be copied to the Windows Clipboard.
4. Switch from the Server Application to askSam (by pressing ALT+TAB).
5. Display the askSam Document or Entry Form into which you want to link the object. Click on the position where the Object is to be inserted.
6. Choose EDIT -> PASTE SPECIAL.
The Paste Special Dialog Box appears.
7. Choose the Paste Link option and choose OK.
The Object will be inserted.
NOTE: If the Paste Link option is not available, the information you copied is not available in a format that can be linked. Information can only be linked if the application from which you copied the information is an OLE server.
To edit a Linked Object:
1. Go to the askSam Document or Entry Form containing the object.
2. Select the Object you want to edit and choose EDIT -> LINKED xxxx OBJECT -> EDIT. (xxxx
represents the name of the Server Application.)
NOTE: This menu item will only appear if you select a linked object.
With a mouse, you can double click on the Object.
3. Modify the object using the features of the Server Application.
4. Choose FILE -> SAVE in the Server Application.
5. Choose FILE -> EXIT in the Server Application.
You will be returned to your askSam Document.
Through OLE you can define whether a Link should be updated manually or automatically.
1. Go to the askSam Document or Entry Form containing the linked Object.
2. Choose EDIT -> LINKS.
The LINKS Dialog Box will appear.
3. If you have multiple links in a Document, they are all listed in the Links Dialog Box. Select the link you wish to modify.
4. Choose Automatic or Manual.
AUTOMATIC automatically updates the Object to display any changes made in the Server Application.
MANUAL requires you to manually request that your Object be updated.
5. Choose CLOSE.
1. Go to the askSam Document or Entry Form containing the linked Object.
2. Choose EDIT -> LINKS.
The LINKS Dialog Box will appear.
3. Choose the link you wish to update.
NOTE: You can modify several links at once by using SHIFT+Click to select multiple links.
4. Choose the Update Now Button.
5. Choose CLOSE.
The Object in your Document or Entry Form will be updated.
To break the link between an Object in the Server Application and an Object in askSam:
1. Go to the askSam Document or Entry Form containing the Object.
2. Choose EDIT -> LINKS.
The LINKS Dialog Box will appear.
3. Choose the Link you wish to break.
4. Choose the Break Link button.
5. Choose CLOSE.
The Object will remain in your Document, but the link to the Server Application is canceled.
A link can be broken if the source file in the Server Application is moved to another location or renamed. If this occurs, askSam will not be able to update the object. To reconnect the link:
1. Go to the askSam Document or Entry Form containing the Object.
2. Choose EDIT -> LINKS.
The LINKS Dialog Box will appear.
3. Choose the link you wish to reconnect.
4. Choose the Change Source button.
The Change Source Dialog Box will appear.
5. Select the file name to which the object should link.
6. Choose OK.
You will return to the Links Dialog Box.
7. Choose UPDATE NOW.
The Link will be reestablished with the Server Application.
8. Choose CLOSE.
When you delete a link, both the Object and its link are deleted from the askSam Document or Entry Form. This differs from breaking a link because with delete the Object is removed along with the link.
To delete a link and its Object:
1. Go to the askSam Document or Entry Form containing the Object.
2. Use the mouse or cursor keys to select the Object you wish to delete.
3. Press the DEL key.
The Object and Link will be deleted from the Document or Entry Form.
Working With Embedded Objects
An Embedded Object can be inserted in a Document without being linked to a source file in another application. You can, however, still double click on an Embedded Object and edit it.
To Embed an Object that already exists:
1. Start the Server Application and open the Object you wish to insert into askSam.
2. Use the mouse or the cursor keys to select the Object in the Server Application.
3. Choose EDIT -> COPY in the Server Application.
The selected Object will be copied to the Windows Clipboard.
4. Switch from the Server Application to askSam.
5. Display the askSam Document or Entry Form in which you want to embed the Object. Click on the position where you want the Object to be embedded.
6. Choose EDIT -> PASTE SPECIAL and the Paste Special Dialog Box will appear.
7. In the “As” box, select the option that allows you to edit the pasted object in its source application
8. Choose OK.
The Object will be embedded into the Document or Entry Form.
NOTE: You can choose PASTE instead of PASTE SPECIAL to embedded an Object
You can also embed Objects in askSam Documents or Entry Forms that you plan to create in the Server Application.
To embed a new Object:
1. Go to the askSam Document or Entry Form in which you want to Embed the Object.
2. Click on the position where you want to insert the Object.
3. Choose EDIT -> INSERT NEW OBJECT.
The Insert Object Dialog Box will appear with a list of the OLE Servers installed on your computer.
4. Select the type of Object you want to create and choose OK.
The Server Application will open. Create the Object using the features of the Server Application. Press the ESC key to return to askSam. The new Object will be inserted in your askSam Document or Entry Form.
To edit an Object that has been Embedded in your askSam Document or Entry Form:
1. Go to the askSam Document or Entry Form containing the Object you wish to edit.
2. Select the Object you want to edit and choose EDIT -> xxxx OBJECT -> EDIT. (xxxx represents
the name of the Server Application.)
With a mouse, you can double click on the Object.
3. Use the features of the Server Application to edit your Object.
4. Press the ESC key to return to askSam.
You will return to the askSam Document, and the Object will be updated.
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