ThtmlViewer Component

Version 3.0

Copyright 1995-6 by L. David Baldwin
All Rights Reserved

Contents


What is the ThtmlViewer Component?

The ThtmlViewer component provides an easy way to display HyperText Markup Language (HTML) documents in a Borland Delphi program. Version 3 of the viewer supports most of the HTML 2.0 specs and several of the more popular HTML 3 enhancements:

While HTML documents are normally associated with the Internet World Wide Web, they are also very useful for displaying all kinds of textual material such as documentation, helpfiles, etc. Graphics are easily incorporated in these documents.

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Files Supplied

   README.1ST    To get started
   README.HTM    This file
   HTMLDEMO.EXE  The demo file
   SAMPLES.HTM   An HTML file showing the use of various HTML tags
   TABLETUT.HTM  A Tutorial showing the use of Tables
   GLASS.BMP     Bitmap files used by various .HTM files
   WMELON.BMP
   TABLE.BMP
   CONTENTS.BMP
   GRAY2BKG.GIF  Background image for SAMPLES.HTM
   CRHRN1.WAV    Sound for demo
   BLKGREEN.HTM  Other sample HTML files
   GUDCOLOR.HTM
   IMLIB221.DLL  ImageLib's Graphics DLL

   DEMOSRC.ZIP   Source code for the demo program
      HTMLDEMO.DPR  Source for the demo
      DEMOUNIT.PAS
      DEMOUNIT.DFM
      HTMLABT.PAS   Unit for demo
      HTMLABT.DFM
      FONTDLG.PAS   Unit for demo
      FONTDLG.DFM
      SUBMIT.PAS      Unit for demo
      SUBMIT.DFM

   INSTALL.ZIP   Files needed to install the ThtmlViewer component
      HTMLVIEW.DCU
      HTMLVIEW.DCR
      HTMLSUBS.DCU
      READHTML.DCU
      HTMLUN1.DCU
      HTML.RES
      HTMLVIEW.HLP  The help file
      HTMLVIEW.KWF  It's keyword file
      HTMLVIEW.INT  The interface for HTMLVIEW.PAS

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Installing The ThtmlViewer Component

Installing new components in the library is covered starting on page 68 of the Delphi User's manual. Here's some extra comments and suggestions.
  1. The Register procedure in HTMLVIEW.DCU is set to place ThtmlViewer on the palette page tab named "Samples". You can relocate it later from the IDE if desired.
  2. Important! Backup COMPLIB.DCL or start a new library file.
  3. If you have installed an earlier version of ThtmlViewer, be sure and delete the old files before installing.
  4. Pick a directory for the ThtmlViewer component. Put HTMLVIEW.DCU, HTMLVIEW.DCR, HTMLSUBS.DCU, READHTML.DCU, HTMLUN1.DCU, and HTML.RES in the chosen directory.
  5. From the Delphi IDE, choose Options | Install Components. In the dialog, choose the Add... button. In the Add Module dialog that then comes up, the simplest approach is to use the Browse button to find HTMLVIEW.DCU. Then hit OK and the Search Path edit box will have the correct path added and ThtmlViewer will have been added to the installed units listbox. (You may have to scroll down to see it.)
  6. Hit OK on the Install Components dialog and the necessary steps will be taken to do the installation. The ThtmlViewer button will appear on the SAMPLES component page tab.
  7. Copy the IMLIB221.DLL module to the WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory if you're planning to use Gif or Jpeg images.

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Installing the Help File

The file HTMLVIEW.HLP will supply context sensitive help for the ThtmlViewer component. Installation of component help files is discussed in the Delphi Component Writer's Guide on page 80.
  1. Place the HTMLVIEW.KWF file in the DELPHI\HELP directory along with the other .KWF files.
  2. Close the Delphi IDE.
  3. Run Delphi's HELPINST program. Choose File | Open to open DELPHI.HDX in the DELPHI\BIN directory.
  4. Choose Keywords | Add Keyword File to add the HTMLVIEW.KWF file to the list of .KWF files.
  5. Choose File | Save or hit the blue disk button to compile and save the revised .HDX file.
  6. Now it remains to set things up so that WINHELP can find the help file, HTMLVIEW.HLP. There are several choices:

The HTMLVIEW.HLP file contains documentation for how to use the ThtmlViewer component. To access the help, open the help file from Delphi, press the Search All button and search for "ThtmlViewer". Or place a ThtmlViewer component on your form and press F1.

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Inline Images

Inline image display (GIF, JPEG, and PCX) is provided using ImageLib's image library. The shareware version of the ThtmlViewer uses the shareware IMLIB221.DLL module. Since this is the unregistered shareware version, there will be occasional shareware "reminder" messages.

The "reminder" messages are, of course, removed in the professional version of ThtmlViewer. The professional version also supports ImageLib's version 3.0 DLL. This version allows the use of PNG images as well as GIF, JPEG, and PCX.

Note that the use of the ImageLib software is not manditory. If you don't need inline images or can get by with only bitmaps, the IMLIB221.DLL need not be used.

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Sales Information

There are two versions of the ThtmlViewer package -- the professional version and the shareware version.

The shareware version may be used without charge by hobbyists, students, occasional users, etc., for their own personal use.

If you are planning on using the ThtmlViewer in a product to be sold or distributed to others or for company use, you should purchase the Professional version. The Professional version includes:

If you're planning to use ThtmlViewer as part of another VCL component offered for sale, please contact us for additional information.

Pricing for the Professional version is:

To order, contact us at the sales address below.

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Contacts and Addresses

Sales
NetMasters, Inc.,
George Lambert
131 Daniel Webster Hwy #507
Nashua, NH 03060 USA
(603) 771-7314
gman@startups.com
World Wide Web: http://www.startups.com/

Technical
Dave Baldwin,
CompuServe ID: 76327,53
Internet: dbaldwin@empire.net
World Wide Web: http://www.empire.net/~dbaldwin/

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ImageLib Graphics Software

The full ImageLib shareware package may be downloaded from CompuServe's Delphi Forum, Library 5. The filename is IMAGELIB.ZIP.

For further technical information, contact:

Jan Dekkers
Skyline Tools
Compuserve: 72130,353
Internet: 72130.353@compuserve.com

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