clearing a container field

[brucepensyl]

I have three small thumbnail size container fields on one layout. There is a larger one that will display any of the thumbnail pictures that I choose. I did this since the load time for each record was getting long.

I want to have the large container field to be initally empty when I go to any record. So I need somehow to clear the contence upon entering or exiting a record.

Also - is there (as there is in Access) a script step such as "on enter" or "on exit"

Thanks again

[The Shadow]

You can set the container to be the empty string, "", and it will clear it.

There is no "on enter" method, but you can use the auto-enter calculation with "do not replace..." turned off to get an "on exit" calculation. If you need to run a script at that point, there is a free plug-in available on the Dev 7 CD (and as a download from databasepros.com) that can run a script from a calculation.

[Fenton]

I'm wondering what you're doing with the 3 thumbnails? Are these actually sized images? Or are you using "Reduce" to just make it look like they're smaller? Reducing large images is not a good idea, 'cause it still has to load the whole thing. It's much better to really resize them; there are AppleScript routines (or graphics apps) to do that.

I wonder because you say, "a larger one that will display any of thumbnails I choose."

Or do you have larger images in the database, not on the layout, but want to load the one you choose from the thumbnails to show in a larger frame (like JavaScript on a web page, which is a good idea); and you want that larger frame to be blank when you enter the record?

Is this a List view, or a Form view (1 record)? If Form view you might just use a global field for the large one, as it's unstored, easy to clear, and the same for all records. Also, it's not actual record data, so it's quite safe.

[brucepensyl]

Fenton...Good idea. Yes the "thumbnails" are just reduced versions of the original. I have three views of the same object in a form view--front, side and back. I could have two images of the same orientation and use the smaller containers for the smaller image (less resolution), and then call up the larger one when needed. Excellent point.

However.....could you expand on the global field suggestion on how to make it work. Yes I want the larger (higher resolution) container to be blank when entering the next record. I can then work on the situation discussed above.

Thanks again

[Fenton]

If you have 3 "thumbnail" images (which are not really thumbnails, just reduced full-size images), and you resize them to say 1/4 of their size, your layout should redraw about 12 times faster. Usually though one resizes to a fixed size, like 128 or 256.

I have a new idea for the full-size image. It is more relationally correct, and I think will work better. If the images are in their own table, the 3 images will have 3 records. The fields would be: Thumb, Full-size image, SerialID (auto-entered), and MainTableID.

The Main table would have its own serial ID, and a global Image_ID. The 3 thumbs would appear in a portal, based on a relationship to the Images table, on the MainID, with 3 rows, 3 thumbs show.

Clicking on a thumb row would set its SerialID into a global field in the Main file. The full-size image would be in a 1-row portal, with its relationship to Images based on MainID AND the global ImageID.

So, if you click on a thumb, the MainID matches AND the global ID matches one Image record, the full-size image shows. If you move to another record in Main, the Main ID no longer matches, and the full-size image disappears. No scripting is needed to produce the disappearance. It is pretty fast, I think faster than setting a global to the image.

BTW, resizing your existing images can be done in place, using AppleScript. Importing them into their own table would also not be hard; 3 imports. Let use know if you want to go this route; 'cause you will need some help.

ThumbsImages.zip

[brucepensyl]

Fenton..thanks for the advise. Will have to look at it a little longer. Sorry it took so long to reply, my job keeps me away for days at a time. Anyway I will study the example. I have only done a few pictures, so changing the resolution will not be a problem.

Thanks again

[brucepensyl]

Fenton, I think I understand, in theory, the example that you posted. I do not understand how the table Images_RecID_glmgID was created. Looking in the tables section it is not there. Would you kindly explain how thistable is created.

Thanks

[Fenton]

The table is there, Images. And if you look to the right, in the definitions, you'll see that the Images_RecID_glmgID table occurrence is tied to it.

I think you're confusing "base tables," which are the ones you define as having Fields, with "table occurrences" on the Relationship Graph, which each use one of the base tables; but there can be (usually will be) many table occurrences for one base table.

[chlowden]

I too am a novice and have an FM DB of 8000 pix. I am looking to able to load thumb nail size pix into a bigger frame to view (sort of basic html action). I wrote a copy & paste into a container script but but when I click elsewhere it asks if you want to save. As I do not, I tried to find a script that automatically says no. Could not find it.

Confess that the very kind Fenton ( who seems to single handly reply to every request on this forum) has described something sits inbetween Touareg & martian to me. Is it possible to do an idiots version of it. do I need to restart my DB?

[chlowden]

I too am a novice and have an FM DB of 8000 pix. I am looking to able to load thumb nail size pix into a bigger frame to view (sort of basic html action). I wrote a copy & paste into a container script but but when I click elsewhere it asks if you want to save. As I do not, I tried to find a script that automatically says no. Could not find it.

Confess that the very kind Fenton ( who seems to single handly reply to every request on this forum) has described something sits inbetween Touareg & martian to me. Is it possible to do an idiots version of it. do I need to restart my DB?

[chlowden]

I too am a novice and have an FM DB of 8000 pix. I am looking to able to load thumb nail size pix into a bigger frame to view (sort of basic html action). I wrote a copy & paste into a container script but but when I click elsewhere it asks if you want to save. As I do not, I tried to find a script that automatically says no. Could not find it.

Confess that the very kind Fenton ( who seems to single handly reply to every request on this forum) has described something sits inbetween Touareg & martian to me. Is it possible to do an idiots version of it. do I need to restart my DB?