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Creating charts without a Window


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Has anyone tried and/or succeeded in using ChartFX for Delphi to

create a chart without having a window handle to draw to? (i.e. a

batch process to make multiple charts?)

I'm using Delphi 6 with Intraweb. (http://www.atozed.com) My product

runs as a server creating reports that are consumed by web browsers.

(that is, I am not using Cold Fusion / Asp / JSP / etc. to create my

pages) My product is *the* web server.

I'm currently using TeeChart which frankly has lousy output compared

with ChartFX. I've used chartFX in a desktop app for many years.

What I now need to do is create a chart, render it to a gif or jpg.

(or even better, as an .svg) My app will handle serving it up,

cleaning up the files, etc.

I've been told that ChartFX doesn't provide the functionality to

specify the width and height when requesting a chart... That it

requires an HWND to draw to. Is this correct?

Can ChartFX / Delphi work for me?

Thanks,

-pete

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> I've been told that ChartFX doesn't provide the functionality to

> specify the width and height when requesting a chart... That it

> requires an HWND to draw to. Is this correct?

This is correct if you talk about Chart FX ActiveX control (Chart FX Client

server or Chart FX For Delphi). The chart DOES need a window to draw,

however, this window may be hidden. The Paint method allows you to paint the

chart into any Device Context (Canvas) at any size. This allows you to

create a bitmap Canvas and draw the chart in it.

I will have to say, however, the Chart FX Client Server is designed as an

interactive control. We have a Server Component included in Chart FX

Internet Edition

designed to work without a windows in a server environment, capabilities to

export to different raster image format as well as SVG are supported in this

component. Chart FX Internet Server Component is a COM object and can be

used from any language/dev. tool that supports COM. Because Delphi has some

issues importing COM objects and creating wrappers from them, we manually

have created a wrapper for Delphi. We have done this only for the

Client-Server version. However, it won't be hard for you to convert this

wrapper to the Chart FX IE Server (source code for the wrapper is provided

with the Delhi Add-on).

--

FP

Software FX

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SoftwareFX Support wrote:

> > I've been told that ChartFX doesn't provide the functionality to

> > specify the width and height when requesting a chart... That it

> > requires an HWND to draw to. Is this correct?

>

> This is correct if you talk about Chart FX ActiveX control (Chart

> FX Client server or Chart FX For Delphi). The chart DOES need a

> window to draw, however, this window may be hidden.

I am preparing to test my system to see if it is possible for a

Windows Service to have a hidden window without allowing it to

interact with the desktop... Not sure about that yet.

> The Paint

> method allows you to paint the chart into any Device Context

> (Canvas) at any size. This allows you to create a bitmap Canvas and

> draw the chart in it.

This sounds like a contradiction of the first statement. If I create

a chart and paint to a bitmap Canvas (not a hidden window) that is

just what I'm looking for. No Window, raster image output. Am I

understanding this correctly?

> I will have to say, however, the Chart FX Client Server is designed

> as an interactive control.

This I understand completely. However the cost is prohibitive. It

appears that SoftwareFX doesn't have a license option that will work

in my situation. My software sells for $3,000 - $10,000 and is

purchased by city governments to be run on a private intranet.

Typically it is used by only a few people. Since it is technically a

"web-server", SoftwareFX wants $1500 per install, but actually the

software is really more like a client/server application that

delivers its content into a browser. (in fact I license the software

in blocks of 5 users)

> We have a Server Component included in

> Chart FX Internet Edition

> designed to work without a windows in a server environment,

> capabilities to export to different raster image format as well as

> SVG are supported in this component.

Indeed. That is what I "should be" using. In fact, I'd REALLY like

the SVG solution, as the rest of my app outputs SVG graphic diagrams.

Alas, I haven't found an ear at SoftwareFX to talk price on this

version.

-pete

p.s. I've got a proposition for you, if you'd care to email me

directly.

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> This sounds like a contradiction of the first statement.  If I create

> a chart and paint to a bitmap Canvas (not a hidden window) that is

> just what I'm looking for. No Window, raster image output. Am I

> understanding this correctly?

No contradiction. You need to create a chart and a Window will be created.

No way to avoid this. However the window can be invisible and the Paint

method can be used to draw the chart into an image.

> p.s. I've got a proposition for you, if you'd care to email me

> directly.

I have nothing to do with sales. You can contact sales at

sales@softwarefx.com.

Since the Chart FX Internet Server Component is not royalty-free for

re-distribution you need to make an OEM agreement. Agreements such as this

are not that uncommon, the guys at sales should be able to help you.

--

FP

Software FX

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SoftwareFX Support wrote:

> > This sounds like a contradiction of the first statement. If I

> > create a chart and paint to a bitmap Canvas (not a hidden window)

> > that is just what I'm looking for. No Window, raster image

> > output. Am I understanding this correctly?

>

> No contradiction. You need to create a chart and a Window will be

> created. No way to avoid this. However the window can be invisible

> and the Paint method can be used to draw the chart into an image.

>

Thanks for clarification.

-pete

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