Getting Started with Flipper Graph ASP

Flipper Graph ASP works with Active Server Pages on an IIS platform. All the Methods and Properties of FlpGrfASP should work the same as the Flipper Graph Control. However, there are some additional methods and processes to setup FlpGrfASP and to provide addition functionality that you should be aware of. These are listed below.
 

• Create the FlpGrfASP object
  Example:
  Dim FlpAsp
  Set FlpAsp = CreateObject("FlpGrfASP.FlpGrfASP.1")

• Call the StartGraph Method
  Example:
  FlpAsp.StartGraph

• Setup the chart
  Example:
  FlpAsp.DataInit = 3
  ...

• Save the chart to an image (gif or png), and display the image
  Example:
  FlpAsp.ImageToTransGif Server.MapPath(".") & "\test.gif", 600, 600, 22

• Display the image on your page.
  Example:
  Response.Write "<img src='spider.gif'>"

• And finally, release the control
  Example:
  FlpAsp.StopGraph
  Set FlpAsp = Nothing

StartGraph Method

This initializes the control - REQUIRED as the first function after creation of the object.
Example:

Set FlpAsp = CreateObject("FlpGrfASP.FlpGrfASP.1")
FlpAsp.StartGraph
...

StopGraph Method

This method releases the control, to free up resources on the server. It is strongly recommended that you issue this method at the end of control usage, otherwise the server may degrade in performance due to memory requirements.
Example:

...
FlpAsp.StopGraph
Set FlpAsp = Nothing

UniqueFilename Method

Creates a unique name for a file to save as an image. It doesn't include the extension. The unique name is based on the process id and the time of day. No disk checking is done so the name isn't guaranteed to be unique but it should be unique if multiple browsers are accessing the page at the same time.
Example:

...
Dim fName
fName = FlpAsp.UniqueFilename
FlpAsp.ImageToTransGif "c:InetPubwwwrootest" & fName & ".gif", 600, 600, 22
Response.Write "<img src='" & fName & ".gif'>"

FlpGrf.inc Enum/Constants File

This file declares all the constants used by Flipper Graph Control detailed in the help file. Simply include the file at the top of your active server page.
Example:

<!--#include File="FlpGrf.inc"-->
<% ...

ImageToPNG Method

This function saves the content of the control to a PNG image file format. This is a superior and is preferable over GIF. It generally provides better compression then GIF and is capable of storing up-to 48bit color images (as opposed to 8bit in GIF). All new browsers (generally versions 3 and higher) support PNG format. The only feature which is not yet supported is Alpha transparency, which is why transparency was not implemented in this method - if you need a transparent color use a GIF.
The method takes these parameters:

FileName As String - name of the output file.
Width As Integer - width of picture in pixels.
Height As Integer - height of picture in pixels.
Interlaced As Boolean - Interlaced flag (TRUE - interlaced, FALSE - NON-Interlaced)

Example:

FlpGrf.ImageToPNG "mypng.png", 640, 480, FALSE

While most properties and methods of Flipper Graph Control were included in FlpGrfASP there are some omissions. ImageToFile, StoreDataObject, and the Events are not available at this time.

Installation and Exmples

To install the Flipper Graph ASP run the Flpgrf_x_x_ASP.EXE install and enter your password and serial number in the appropriate dialog. If you don't own a licensed copy of the Flipper Graph ASP then simply install as a trial.

The examples are included in the installation and should provide you with a head start in using the Flipper Graph ASP.By default the example are installed into C:\InetPub\wwwroot\ASPExamples\, but you are free to modify that during installation

Last modified on: Friday, October 19, 2001