Embedded images viewed in MAC & PC?

[Jana]

Hello,

I have a db file referencing different pictures for each record that are stored on an IT server. My FM file is located on a desktop MAC and references the images stored in a folder on the server. Remote access to the file results in not being able to see images via a PC, but is OK via a MAC.

What do I need to do to get the image viewable on the PC?

[Fenton]

Go to one of the PCs, Insert an image [x] as reference only. Create a calculation, result text, GetAsText ( container field). Look at the last line. It will show the PC version of the path.

Create another calculation field, unstored, result container,* which can produce either the Mac path or the PC path (or both, return-separated, though I just use the "or" method, using Abs ( Get ( SystemPlatform)) = 1 to test for Mac).

This calculation field, when placed on the layout, will show the image, for either platform. If you make it non-enterable, and put it on top of the regular container field, then people can still click in to Insert; but they will always see the calculation, so both platforms can see it.

*You may want to duplicate this calculation, with result Text, to troubleshoot if it is not working.

[P.S. The term "embedded" is generally used to mean NOT inserted "as reference only", so this thread is somewhat misnamed. That's OK, but it will make people wonder, "How the heck can an 'embedded' image not show up?"]

Edited July 29, 2008 by Guest

[Jana]

Thank you. I've got the PC image and PC image text path sorted through but am stuck on the the field that combines the two. I kind of got lost with the surrounding text instructions. Is the calculation simply

Abs(get(SystemPlatform))

or

Abs(get(SystemPlatform)) = 1 or 2

I've attached a screen grab of my testing layout page (this shot is from the MAC).

Can you please clarify

[Fenton]

It returns a number, so the test if for a number.

Abs (Get(SystemPlatform)) = 1 // Mac

or

Abs (Get(SystemPlatform)) = 2 // Windows

Whichever one you want to test for; but there's only 2 possibilities (if you use Abs), so it's one or the other.

Also, you can see that the PC path has an extra slash "/", and includes the "share" name, so you need to add those if it's a PC client; the (unstored) calculation is always evaluated on the client machine, so you need either a Mac or a PC path; you don't really need both at once.

And the result is only ONE calculation field, with a Container result. So, you really only need 2 fields:*

Container

Calculation with container result

Put the calculation on top of the regular container (on a Form view). Make it non-enterable. Then the user can Insert as usual; they don't need to know about the calculation.

*You may want a copy of the calculation, with a Text result, just so you can see what you got if it doesn't work.

Edited July 29, 2008 by Guest