Readme for VBSFC FormAnimator 13/4/2000 ======================================= Usage: ------ This utility takes two shaped forms generated by VB Shaped Form Creator and generates an animation to morph one into the other, which is then applied to one of the two input forms producing an animated shaped form. Both input forms must have the same number and type of shapes, in the same order, with the same addition mode and, in the case of polygons, have the same number of points. The easiest way to ensure these conditions are met is to draw a form, save it (or modify an existing form), then use the Edit mode to modify it to produce the second shape (without deleting or adding any shapes or polygon points - only moving is allowed!) then save that second shape as a separate form. The FormAnimator can then be used to animate the first form with the second form as the Final Position form. Code Produced: -------------- An extra parameter is added to the CreateFormRegion sub, called Anim. This is a Double value which should take values between 0 and 1. When it is 0 the region produced is the initial form shape, when it is 1 it is the final form shape, and for all fractional values between 0 and 1 an intermediate shape is produced. Because the intermediate is produced mathematically there is no limit (except for the display capabilities of the screen) to the size of the step that can be taken. If an existing form is being modified all CreateFormRegion calls are adjusted to pass a parameter of 0 for the Anim property, so existing code should continue to work as expected. If the ExampleAnimate checkbox has been selected then an additional sub will be produced giving an example of how the Anim parameter can be used to produce animation. Another example is provided in the form of the About box for this utility. The source for this is included in the program zip file, and shows how to use a timer to continuosly animate a form. The animation was produced from About1.frm to About2.frm, modifying About1.frm. About2.frm and the Images folder are provided for information only, they are not needed to run the demo project. Installation: ------------- If VBSFC is installed then all necessary runtimes will be already installed, and there is no need for any special installation of this utility. Comments/Bug Reports -------------------- This utility will become a part of VBSFC at version 6. Until then it is in Beta Test. Bug Reports and Comments are very welcome, and should be sent to AlexV@ComPorts.com ==END==