I am using Windows 2000 and FMP6 to store GIS projects data. I export print layouts from ArcView GIS and save them as *.wmf (placeable Windows Meta File) image format. A portal in my master file (Projects.fp5) shows container fields from an external file (Maps.fp5). I right click in portal field and insert the above picture ('Store only a reference to the file' box checked). Although it stores the picture, the screen starts getting full of bugs. It is also very slow.

Gupangam:

A few questions...

1. How large are the image files?

2. What kinds of bugs appear on the screen?

3. How much does it slow down?

4. How many images are you showing at once?

5. How many records?

-Stanley

IMHO -- WMF can give problems to FM.

Couldn't you use some simpler format like GIF, JPG or PNG?

Thanks guys

1.The windows metafile images vary in size from 100k to 600k. Average is 200k. I am storing them as references only.

2. 'Bugs' means in Browse mode part of images 'breaks through' its layout and leaves a colorful mess on screen outside their field area even though the container fields are fully enclosed within the portal. (See sample attached) Going to a different layout cleans up the mess.

3&4. Portal has 8 containers, each 135x120 pixels. Six images take a couple of seconds each to show up.

5. Each project has up to 8 maps. Actual map print size varies from A3 to A0.

I want others to be able to print the high resolution to-the-scale maps directly from the FMP database rather than from ArcView layouts. I have successfully printed up to A3 size from FMP.

Could the problem be in FMP's ability to handle large (A3-A0) print formats?