Display an image using a file path?

[Mark Reed]

I need to find a way to take a field and add to it to form a filepath to an image.

For example,

My field is SKU123

I need to take that field and use it to display the image at:

c:photossku123.jpg

How would I create this filepath using that field, then then how would I display the image on the layout using it?

[Lee Smith]

Take a look at the Templates that came with your FileMaker Application. There is an example of Inventory file that has this feature, study how the insert photo works.

Look at the script that is labeled Insert Picture. I would amend the script to "Show only as a reference", that way you can also show the file path by using the GetAsText Function. There has been a few posts in the past about how to trim this to fit the different needs. Start with this Link

Lee

Edited March 30, 2009 by Guest

[Mark Reed]

that looks like it is just inserting the image that is browsed to via the insert button.

I need to CREATE the file path to an image based on the one field and display it... and not actually store it in the db since the jpeg exists on a drive somewhere else.

[mr_vodka]

Options

1. You can use the webviewer.

2. You can also create a calcuation with container result with the path to the file.

imagewin:/C:/photos/sku123.jpg

or if you have a field with the name and they are all jpgs.

"imagewin:/C:/" & field & ".jpg"

Edited March 30, 2009 by Guest
added option 2

[Lee Smith]

I was amending my post when you posted your reply.

Lee

[Mark Reed]

Coming from the Crystal Reports world, I am trying to break free of how things were done there...

I am trying to create a calulated container filed that would show the image using a concatendated path to the jpeg file.

"v:JPEGS" & SKU & ".jpg" but I get an error.

Basically I need to take the field named SKU and use that field to display an image named the same as each SKU record.jpg.

The image is located in the V:JPEGS directory.

I cannot figure out how to do this.

The goal is to have the filemaker data do out and get the jpeg and show it on a layout without the image being in the FMP db, or it being linked in any way manually. Since it is named the same as the SKU field plus .jpg, it should be able to go out get it and display it. (we do that in Crystal Reports now by simply using a formula to create a filepath to the jpeg and then setting the image property on the report to display that jpeg for that record.)

any ideas? Im stumped.

[mr_vodka]

Did my suggestion not work for you?

[Mark Reed]

Actually it did - Im so used to Crystal and not the FMP approach, I was trying to use a filepath not formatted correctly.

"imagewin:/V:/JPEGS/" & SKU & ".jpg" set as the container calculation works. It displayes images! Thank you!

Are there any caveats or dangers in using this as long as every user on our network has the V drive mapped?

I am thinking that this could create a large network traffic spike when users would print a report of lets say 300 SKUs.

Your thoughts? Do you think this would be a big issue on a typical business network?

[mr_vodka]

I am not too sure regarding the network speed since I have never had a report showing 300 referenced images at a time.