Dialog box with a graphics window

Question

Hi,

I am using VS2012 pro, and have created a native c++ app in Windows 8 pro Desktop. I have a dialog box and I would like to add a graphics window to the dialog such that I can use my mouse to change stuff in the graphics window data in the dialog box can be updated.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Answer 1

Ok.  Let's give you a technique that matches what you're already doing.

What API did you use to create and show the dialog?

Answer 2

CDialog

Answer 3

Put some edit control or static control on your dialog and handle WM_LBUTTONDOWN and and WM_LBUTTONUP message handle . Look on google or MSDN there are lots of sample to develop a paint app etc in MFC . You can start with those sample atleast you will get some idea how to proceed .              

                                                                                      
Thanks

---

Rupesh Shukla

Answer 4

There is nothing in the tool box which will allow me to add a graphics window. I should have said it is a mfc app.

Thanks

Answer 5

Seems you are using MFC, can you a bit more detailed what you want in your graphics window. Is it suppsed to display your data as bar or pie chart...?

Only as an idea, did you searched CodeProject.com for a control that maches your reequirements?

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/14075/High-speed-Charting-Control

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/317712/An-MFC-Chart-Control-with-Enhanced-User-Interface

http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/1993/Scientific-charting-control

---

Best regards

Bordon

Note: Posted code pieces may not have a good programming style and may not perfect. It is also possible that they do not work in all situations. Code pieces are only indended to explain something particualar.

Answer 6

Thanks Bordon,

It is a 2D drawing. I just want a part of the screen where I can do some moveto and Lineto's and have some mouse control.

Answer 7

So one half of the dialog will have text boxes etc and the other will have the graphics screen.

Answer 8

Do I add a picture control?

Answer 9

Create a Custom Control and add it to your dialog.

Create a custom class that handles all the interaction that you want to do, including paint and mouse.

See this example.  The example draws a bitmap, but if all you want is MoveTo, LineTo, then great...even easier.  Just do so in the Paint function.

Answer 10

Do I add a picture control?

That will work fine. Create a class derived from CStatic, and add a control member variable for it in the dialog. Change its class from CStatic to your derived class. Then your derived class can add message handlers for the mouse and paint messages.

Answer 11

Thanks,

I added the picture control and added a CStatic variable.

 I created a new CView Class - CDrawdesign. I changed the variable from a CStatic variable to a CDrawedesign variable but then got the following error:

'CDrawDesgin' : cannot instantiate abstract class

5>          due to following members:

5>          'void CView::OnDraw(CDC *)' : is abstract

I do not know how to fix this?

Answer 12

I have added

public
virtual void OnDraw(CDC* pDC);

to CDrawDesgin

and now I am getting new errors:

1>DrawDesgin.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol "public: virtual struct CRuntimeClass * __thiscall CDrawDesgin::GetRuntimeClass(void)const " (?GetRuntimeClass@CDrawDesgin@@UBEPAUCRuntimeClass@@XZ)

1>DrawDesgin.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol "public: virtual void __thiscall CDrawDesgin::OnDraw(class CDC *)" (?OnDraw@CDrawDesgin@@UAEXPAVCDC@@@Z)

Answer 13

I have added

public
virtual void OnDraw(CDC* pDC);

to CDrawDesgin

and now I am getting new errors:

1>DrawDesgin.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol "public: virtual struct CRuntimeClass * __thiscall CDrawDesgin::GetRuntimeClass(void)const " (?GetRuntimeClass@CDrawDesgin@@UBEPAUCRuntimeClass@@XZ)

1>DrawDesgin.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol "public: virtual void __thiscall CDrawDesgin::OnDraw(class CDC *)" (?OnDraw@CDrawDesgin@@UAEXPAVCDC@@@Z)

You have added the declaration of OnDraw() to the class definition in the .h file, but you have not added the implementation in the .cpp file.

This would not have happened if you had added this virtual function using the IDE.

---

David Wilkinson | Visual C++ MVP

Answer 14

Thanks Dave, got rid of one of the errors, left with:

DrawDesgin.obj : error LNK2001: unresolved external symbol "public: virtual struct CRuntimeClass * __thiscall CDrawDesgin::GetRuntimeClass(void)const " (?GetRuntimeClass@CDrawDesgin@@UBEPAUCRuntimeClass@@XZ)

Answer 15

You apparentlyy derived CDrawdesign from CView. It must be derived from CStatic if you are associating it with a static control.

You probably did that because you wanted the OnDraw function. CStatic does not have an OnDraw function. Instead, add a message handler for WM_PAINT. Start your OnPaint function like this and you're good to go:

 

void CDrawdesign::OnPaint()
{
	CPaintDC dc(this); // device context for painting
	... paint here
}

Answer 16

Thanks Scott, that is working for me now!