Introduction to Vector Automation

Adding Automation to an application enables the user to add all the vector toolkit capabilities and the associated user interfaces, to that application. The Automation toolkit coordinates the low-level Vector toolkit functions, the LEAD container functions and the LEAD toolbar functions. This facilitates the building of a vector application and removes the need to understand all the low level functionality.

The Automation toolkit can do the following:

handle multiple windows simultaneously, with each window having its own transformations, selection, Undo/Redo information…etc.

set the Undo/Redo level to virtually any value, as well as Undo or Redo the operations in every window in an MDI environment.

select All or None of the objects in the current active window. In addition, the current selection can be cut, copied, pasted or deleted.

print the vector drawing in any of the application's opened windows.

The automation toolbar lets the user select the needed tool and draw, while the automation handles the visual feedback needed to communicate between the drawing process and the user. Mouse cursors and the basic drawing algorithms for selected objects (Line, Ellipse, Polygon…etc.) are handled by automation. The Vector objects currently available in the toolkit are:

• Vertex.

• Line.

• Rectangle.

• Polyline.

• Polybezier.

• Polygon.

• Ellipse.

• Circle.

• Arc.

• Text.

• Pie.

• Chord.

• Polydraw.

• Raster.

The user should have a good grasp of the following LEAD toolkits before effectively using the automated Vector Toolkit:

Low-level Vector toolkit.

LEAD Toolbar.

LEAD Container.

Therefore, we strongly recommend that the user of the Automation Toolkit carefully read the documentation of the modules mentioned above.

The automation toolkit gives the user the flexibility to create and add LEAD Containers and the LEAD Toolbar using automated functions. This offers the maximum possible creativity to the user. Please be advised that using the low-level functionality of the LEADTOOLS Container and LEADTOOLS Toolbar may occasionally create internal automation conflicts. Consequently, we recommend using the given automation interface functions with the LEADTOOLS Container and the LEADTOOLS Toolbar.