PictureBook
software:
General links:
Revision history
Website contents: copyright © 1993-2008, Harry Doldersum.
April 27th, '05 - Updated version 1.7.2.45 to 1.8.1.47: an important maintenance release.
- We were made aware of a serious problem with the reporting functions, that could prevent proper execution on Windows 2000 and Windows XP systems. On the systems in question, the length of the path name to the temporary storage directory (or folder) exceeds the length that QuSoft (the supplier of the library that has been used for the development of both the fixed reports and the User Report Designer, QRDesign) initially had anticipated.
This temporary storage directory is used to create the temporary metafile, that holds the report's actual information. On the systems where this error would occur, both the fixed reports and the reports in the User Report Designer would terminate after 2 or more pages with a message of "Access violation at ....", followed by a message "Metafile not valid".
With release V1.8.1.47, this problem has been corrected.
April 24th, '05 - Updated version 1.7.1.44 to 1.7.2.45: a maintenance release.
Following improvements were made:
- A checking routine, added in V1.5.2.41 (which is verifying if the computer system has a printer driver installed or not, see below at june 17th, '03 notes) appeared to cause an error (i.e. runtime error 217, occuring at startup). It was noticed on a Windows XP system (without a printer driver), that this routine caused the application to terminate when it tried to verify the presence of the missing driver. (If a printer driver is installed & selected as the default driver, the routine worked correctly). This routine is also implemented in PBToolkit and PBBatchImport, since these use a common initialisation.
Since this error hadn't been noticed during earlier testing and hasn't been reported before by the users, it's occurance might be limited to certain specific conditions.
The mentioned routine has been enhanced to cope with the situation. Also, the support applications PBToolkit (now in release V1.3.4.8) and PBBatchImport (now in release V1.1.3.5) have been updated with this functionality. The remaining other utilities were not affected.
November 14th, '04 - Updated version 1.6.2.42 to 1.7.1.44: a new release.
Following improvements were made:
- Introduced pop-up menu's, having all the valid commands enabled, on both the "Picture image" and "Picture information" tab-pages. These menu's are structured the same as the "Image" and "Information" sub-menu's from the main menu.
- Added an additional function to the "Picture image" tab-page: this is the "Freshen image" function, which refreshes the image as it is currently shown, by redrawing it within the boundaries of the "Picture image" container. This function can also be executed by double-clicking on the image.
- Minor improvement on the menu shortcuts (these shortcuts are the underscored letters in the menu structures). One shortcut character had been used twice, which would naturally cause the first function, coupled to this particular shortcut, to be called up.
- While viewing images without having "image stretching"-mode enabled, the hint- & status-lines (showing the dimensions of the image) would give incorrect readings. (Actually, the shown values belonged to the last image shown with "image stretching"-mode enabled). This has now been corrected.
- Added a "splash screen" to indicate that PictureBook is initializing itself. The splash screen includes a bar that shows the progress of this initialisation process.
- Other minor improvements to both PictureBook itself and it's User manual & online helpfile.
August 30th, '03 - Updated version 1.6.1.41 to 1.6.2.42: a maintenance release.
Following improvements were made:
- Improved export routines for WMF and EMF file types. Under circumstances, it could occur that these image formats were not written correctly during image export.
- Minor text changes to some errormessages.
June 17th, '03 - Updated version 1.5.1.40 to 1.6.1.41: a new release.
Following improvements were made:
- Added functionality to check for the presence of a default printer (driver) on the user's computer. Having a printer (driver) selected as the default on the computer system is required, since information is retrieved from the default driver for rendering the previews for all the printjobs. If your system did not have a default printer driver available, then this should generate one or more error messages. (This is added as a configurable option in the application's Preferences dialog).
- Added functionality to check for the maximum overall memory load (i.e.: system resource load). PictureBook will now monitor the overall memory load during initialisation and will issue a warning when a maximum limit is reached. (Since this limit is lightly to differ per machine, this has been implemented as a fully configurable option in the application's Preferences dialog. It's default setting is a value of 85% maximum overall memory load - if this load is reached, a user will be notified that his system is about to run out of resources. The user is then in control and can correct the issue, before their system runs into trouble).
A relatively large portion of our support emails are related to systems having insufficient resources available, causing problems for the application. Although most computers today tend to have sufficient physical ram memory installed, this issue can still occur if users install one or more large programs to remain running in the Windows taskbar at all times - even when they aren't used.
Please also see our free memory utility "RCheck - the Resource Checker", available from the "Knowledge Base" page at our site, at: http://www.doldersum.com/kbase/.
March 8th, 03 - Updated version 1.4.1.39 to 1.5.1.40: a maintenance release
Following improvements were made:
- Corrected a bug that caused the Slideshow function from not being reactivated after a cancelled record edit. Normally, when editing a record, the slideshow function is temporarily unavailable and is reactivated when the editing is completed. However, due to this bug, the slideshow function wasn't reactivated when the editing was cancelled. This has now been corrected.
- Updated PBToolkit to V1.3 (full: V1.3.2.6). This update consists out of the implementation of a new utility function to PBToolkit: "PbBatchImport". Using this utility function, users are now able to import a batch of images in one go. After import, these new entries will then use the image file's name and date as the PictureBook image description and date - you can alter these afterwards, if prefferred. The help file has also been extended with information on this update.
IMPORTANT: The above mentioned update to the PBToolkit utility collection has been previously released as a seperate update archive (PBToolkit V1.3.1.5), which contained PbBatchImport V1.0. This utility has now been updated to version V1.1 (V1.1, release 1, build 3), which corrects the following error: During batch import, multiple JPeg graphics, imported from various image files, appeared identical to a graphic imported previously in the sequence. (This may also have occurred while handling WMF or EMF graphic files). When using PbBatchImport, make sure you have release V1.1 or higher (i.e.: V1.1.1.3).
- The internet support page is now called in lowercase characters, since any seperate updates to this page would be retrieved from the website as such. Although most Windows operating systems will have no problem with this, Windows NT would issue an error. (Implemented in PBToolkit V1.3.2.6 also).
November 18th, 01 - Updated version 1.3.1.35 to 1.4.1.39: a new release
Following improvements were made:
- Added a function to set the currently displayed image as a centered desktop wallpaper (menu command: "Image" - "Set as wallpaper"). The function will save the currently displayed image to a file (i.e.: PBWall.BMP) in the PictureBook program directory and will set and activate this file as the new desktop wallpaper.
- Added a function to execute your system's imaging software (for scanners and the like) from PictureBook. By default, the standard Windows utility "Imaging" will be selected for this task, but you may alter this to any other preferred application, by selecting and activating the program of your choice on the "External functions" tabpage in the "Preferences" dialog.
(Please note, that the scanned or otherwise aquired images are not immediately stored in the database: it is merely ment as a quick start to access your imaging software. All scanned or otherwise aquired images can be fully processed, manipulated and saved to a file with the imaging software, as normal - you can then import the completed images into the PictureBook database when you're done with your session).
- The bitmap editor function, introduced in PictureBook version 1.2, has been altered, to allow you to select a preferred bitmap editor over the one currently selected as the default bitmap editor on your system. (This external bitmap editor facility uses a temporary bitmap (.BMP) file). By default, the standard Windows utility "Paint" will be selected for this task, but you may alter this to any other preferred application, by selecting and activating the program of your choice on the "External functions" tabpage in the "Preferences" dialog. You may switch between your system's default configured bitmap editor and your preferred editor at will, by using the radio buttons, included on the tabpage.
- Modified the database design and memo data handling slightly, in order to improve compatibility with other database applications, where preferred. Following changes were required:
- The "Information" memo field previously was a type "Formatted memo", but has now been changed to normal type "Memo".
- Also, we added an option "Use only plain text..." to the "Preferences" dialog (on the "Special functions" tabpage) to switch the memo editor to use only plain text, instead of "Rich Text Format" (RTF) style text. This too, is done in order to make the actual "Information" memo field contents compatible with those database applications, who do not support the use of "Rich Text Format" within memo fields.
Please also note following:- In order for any existing memo contents (in Rich Text Format) to be readable, for such an database application as described above, this RTF memo contents will need to be converted to "plain text": the PictureBook toolkit program PBToolkit.EXE V1.2.4.4 (or later) will be able to do this for you. (See menu command "Toolkit" - "Strip memo RTF codes").
- Without the RTF to plain text conversion, as described above and while the above mentioned option "Use only plain text..." is switched on, PictureBook may also give the *impression* of having problems reading any memo's containing text in Rich Text Format (RTF). A lot of "garbled" characters will appear in the editor window, with your normal memo text displayed scattered in between. Although this may look strange, please note that this is actually "normal" while the "Use only plain text..." option is active: the memo is now displaying the RTF formatting codes as part of the text, because it is now in a state where "it does not know any better".
Should you want to switch PictureBook's "Use only plain text..." option off again, later on, reenabling RTF support, it will not be neccessary to convert the plain text back, in order to actually re-enable RTF support in your memo text.
- The "Information" memo field previously was a type "Formatted memo", but has now been changed to normal type "Memo".
- Added "hotkeys" for all menu commands. Although all menu commands already allowed operation by keyboard (by using Alt-key commands), we decided to also add hotkeys in order to provide the user with more flexability in accessing the functions required.
- Added a slide show function, that will display your images in a full screen view, one at a time, each during a certain amount of time. The user can set the preferred default image display time on the "Special functions" tabpage of the "Preferences" dialog, expressed in milliseconds.
During a slide show session, the display time can also be dynamically adjusted. A user can use image browse buttons, to skip back or forward during a slide show session. A pause function is included, during which image stretch mode and zoom functions will be active. If a search filter is active, the slide show will display the images within the active selection only.
June 4th, 01 - Updated version 1.2.1.13 to 1.3.1.35: a new release
Following improvements were made:
- Corrected a bug that caused PictureBook V1.2, released in march 2001, to have startup problems on some computer systems. Since the problem did not occur on any of the local computers, the error could only be traced using a extensive "trail and error" approach. Thanks to the assistance and patience of Bruno, our Italian beta tester, we managed to trace this error and solve it. The error was caused by a date variable that was being preset in a format that appeared to be invalid on certain computer systems.
March 8th, 01 - Updated version 1.1.2.9 to 1.2.1.13: a new release.
Following improvements were made:
- We have added a filter (and/or search) function to the PictureBook toolbar, which will allow the user to make a pre-selection of the data available for browsing and editing in the PictureBook database. Data searching itself was already implemented by using a Search Report in the URD, but the data found by the report is available for browsing only, not for editing - a situation which some users would prefer. The user can now invoke a dialog from the top toolbar (or the menu) that will allow to search the images by their dates (by setting a "from - to" date range) and/or by using title keywords (to be used at will, requiring either "ANY" or "ALL" keywords to appear in an image title). This search function can also be regarded as making a pre-selection from the available images.
- During import and/or export of graphics, PictureBook was resetting it's "Open file" and "Save file" dialogs to focus on PictureBook's own directory/folder again, after use. This behaviour had been implemented since users have spoken out their preference for this behaviour during the beta test sessions. Since then, however, other users have spoken out their preference for these graphic import and export dialogs to remain focussed on the last directory/folder accessed. In order to satisfy all parties, we have now made this behaviour a user configurable item (located at in the Preference settings dialog).
- We have added a graphic editing function to PictureBook's "Picture Image tab" toolbar. Since there are already various excellent graphic editors available today (the Microsoft Windows operating systems even have a standard graphics editor on board) we decided against building our own graphic editor object, but to utilize an already installed graphics editor instead. (By default Windows installation, this should be Microsoft Paint, filename PBRUSH.EXE). When clicking on the graphic edit button (with the pencil icon), the image is exported to a temporary file, after wich your system's standard bitmap (.BMP) editor is called up to edit the graphic. When exiting the bitmap editor, the temporary file (with saved changes) is read back into the database field.
- We have added an additional option to PictureBook's "Picture Image tab" toolbar, to view an image at maximum screen size. When this function is executed, the image is loaded into a new window and presented at maximum screen size. The window will start out, by showing the image at it's true size. When the image is larger than the available space, PictureBook will reduce the image to fit into the available space. (This resizing function can be switched off, so that the image is shown at full size. Scrollbars will be activated when needed). This window's toolbar is also equipped with image zoom command buttons and will state the size (in bitmap pixels) of the original image as well as the size in which it is currently shown (when different from the original image).
- Corrected a bug in the Preference settings dialog. When switching between the tab pages of the Preference dialog, altered settings were being reset to the value as had been in use previously - overwriting any changes the user just made. Now, all changed values remain as they should.
- The menu structure has been expanded to also include the toolbar commands found on the "Picture Image" and "Picture Information" tab pages. The menu commands are accessible by shortcut key commands. Please note, that all image related commands are only enabled while the "Picture Image" tab page is active and that all information related commands are only enabled while the "Picture Information" tab page is active.
- The "Window float behaviour" function has been removed. It's function was to allow the user to keep the PictureBook program window floating on top of the desktop, above any other programs or windows. Under circumstances, this function has proved to be very useful in one of our other applications (able to use many windows simultaniously), but since PictureBook is using a single window at a time, it was totally obsolete.
- Added code to handle significantly modified settings for Windows Desktop appearance. Severe changes to these settings could cause elements, who's font and icon settings are controlled by these desktop appearance settings, to appear enlarged. Under circumstances, these settings could even cause some components to be shifted out of user's reach. (These modifications have also been implemented in the utility programs).
- When executing the database repair routine in the utility program PBToolkit.EXE, one of the message dialogs presented to the user would state that a new and empty database set would be generated. Although this is an accurate representation of the actual repair steps taken (a new database is generated in which the old database information is transferred - when found intact), the situation could raise the question with the user, wether or not the correct PBToolkit function had been choosen. In order to prevent this uncertainty, this particular message will be surpressed when executing the repair function. (This brings PBToolkit.EXE to V1.1.3.4).
- Other minor changes to various sections of the program, the order information file and the helpfile.
August 21st, 2000 - Updated version V1.0 (1.0.1.7) to V1.1 (1.1.2.9): a maintenance release.
This update is represented as two archive files, containing only patch files. The contents of this archive can only be used to update an existing PictureBook V1.0 (V1.0.1.7) installation. (The two downloadable archives contain only the updated PictureBook.EXE file and the updated PBToolkit.EXE file). Following improvements have been made:
- Eliminated a possibility of an "invalid floating point error" from occuring in PictureBook, when working with a completely empty database. The "invalid floating point error" could be generated by the image tab page, due to an error in the image sizing routine (which determines the best scale for the image in the available space).
- Eliminated two cosmetic errors: some of the dialogs displayed a typing error in the program's name.
- PictureBook's toolkit has been modified to include an informational messagebox upon executing the routine to create a new and empty database.
(PBToolkit.exe is now at V1.1 (1.1.2.3)).
June 30th, 2000 - MAJOR NEW RELEASE.
- Release of the new PictureBook V1.0:
PictureBook V1.0: Your Personal Graphics database. A flexible, easy to use tool for managing all your graphics, photo's and other images.
PictureBook stores your images into it's central database, after which you can access these by the image's title and/or date. You may also enter virtually unlimited additional descriptions into the images's memofield (Rich Text Format (a.k.a. RTF) support included). If preferred, the use of multiple database sets (for a separation of image categories, for example) is supported.
The PictureBook graphics database system can handle the common image file formats for both import and export functions. All other graphical formats are supported by using standard Windows cut & paste functionality.
A powerful User Report Designer (URD), with which you may construct your own reports and representations, is included. This URD supports an implementation of Structured Query Language (SQL) allowing you to query your graphics database on all available fields.
PictureBook V1.0 costs US$30,=. (equals EURO 25,=. or NLG 55,=.). Upgrades are free, when downloaded from the support website, located at http://www.Doldersum.com.
If this page is framed into another site, click here...