Graphics Support in Visual FoxPro

Microsoft® Visual FoxPro® supports several graphic file formats widely used throughout the Internet and in many applications.

In general, any areas that supported .bmp (bitmap) format in previous versions of Visual FoxPro now also support the following graphic file formats.

Graphic format File extension
Bitmap .bmp
Device Independent Bitmap .dib
Graphics Interchange Format .gif
Joint Photographic Electronic Group .jpg
Cursor .cur
Animated Cursor .ani
Icon .ico

Note   In Visual FoxPro, cursor, animated cursor, and icon files can be used as graphics files. For example, you can specify an animated cursor file for the Picture property for the Image control (however, the Image control displays the static representation of the cursor).

Graphics support is provided in Visual FoxPro in three areas:

  • Language
  • Controls and Objects
  • User Interface

Language

You can use the GETPICT( ) function function to access the Visual FoxPro dialog that provides access to valid file formats. You also can access graphics through properties in the controls and objects described here.

Controls and Objects

The following table lists Visual FoxPro controls and objects with properties for which you can specify graphics files. You can now specify .gif, .jpg, cursor, animated cursor, and icon graphic files for these properties, in addition to the .bmp and .dib graphic files supported in previous versions of Visual FoxPro.

Control or Object Properties
CheckBox Control DisabledPicture
DownPicture
Picture
Command Button Container DisabledPicture
DownPicture
Picture
Container Object Picture
Control Object Picture
Custom Object Picture
Form Object Picture
Image Control Picture
OptionButton Control DisabledPicture
DownPicture
Picture
Page Object Picture
_Screen Object Picture

User Interface

Several Visual FoxPro designers make it possible for you to specify graphics files in the Open dialog. The Open dialog for the following designers includes all valid graphic file formats.

Form Designer and Class Designer

In the Properties window, double-clicking the Picture property or choose the Picture property dialog button to display the Open dialog for a property in those controls that support graphics files.

Project Manager

Select Other Files in the All or Other tab of the Project Manager, then select Add. Visual FoxPro displays the Open dialog so you can add a graphics file to the project.

Report Designer

On the Report Controls toolbar, click the Picture/ActiveX Bound Control button, and then drag the cursor in a band of the Report Designer. In the Report Picture dialog box, click the File radio button and then click the dialog button to display the Open dialog.

See Also

Creating Access and Assign Methods | Year 2000 Date Support | GETPICT( ) function | Access and Assign Methods