Using CurrentProject.path

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ASKER

Where this database resides is on a network drive that is backed up every night (at least the files that changed during the day) and completely backed up once a week.

The users of the database will have a front end stored on their desktops and won't have the drive actually mapped to their computers - I know that doesn't solve issues with people messing with the pictures, but most people out here don't know how to map a drive to be able to mess with the pictures.

So I could store something like Photos\LenaWood.jpg in a field in my table, and when I tell the picture box on my form (OLE object?) where to look, I could say Currentproject.path & "\" & me.pictureplace, right? Of course my next question will be how to store just the Photos\LenaWood.jpg, but I will figure that out down the road (if this is doable).

Lena

Yes thats okay then

Use a image control to load your pictures. Very easy

just do

imgCtrl.Picture = currentproject.path & sImageFilePath

Nothing wrong with what u do, but if I did this, I would still store a path in a table and make use of that.

ASKER

If I store the path in the table and the database gets moved to a different sever then all my paths are wrong...no? How would I automatically fix the path names? I need to do something that won't need to be fixed by ME if IT chooses to switch the servers....I plan on winning the lottery and going on a very very long vacation :-)

Lena

yes, thats true. Thats why its a config table, u simply change the path in that table

Your approach is easier in terms of maintenance.

I guess photo's can be considered data and therefore being placed with a backend database is fine.

I would recommend you make the photo's directory read only for all users, except admin

I see u still remember good old Harry the Hampster!

ASKER

So the path (the first part of it anyway) is stored in a single field in a table...yes? So how do I link a single photo to each person. OK...maybe today isn't a good day for questions...I am catching my daughters "blonde" attitude.

Lena

Is this a FE split application?
Or does the "FE" actually sit on the server - shared by all?

I'm just wondering of how much use currentproject.path will be - you don't want images stored on local pc's surely. :-S

ASKER

It is split and each person has their own personal front end. The BE is stored on the network drive.

As it should be - cool.
And you'll want to store these images with the data files on the server yeah.

But that means currentproject.path won't be of much help in that respect.
You'll have to examine the table link yeah?

ASKER

Yes, the photos will be stored in a subfolder in the folder with the mdb files.
Yes...I didn't even think about the table link...well phoey!

SOLUTION

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SOLUTION

stevbe

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stevbe

ok ... so how do you get the name of the picture file into your database ...

getb the common file dialog api code if you do not already have it ... (http://www.mvps.org/access/api/api0001.htm)

and add a builder button on your employee administration form to navigate to your picture folder and select the appropriate picture.

Steve

ASKER

Leigh,

The code you gave does show the path to the backend and just the path to the folder itself. I am sure this will be useful when I figure out what I am going to do with this.

Steve,

I have something similar to the link that you gave me - I was going to use it for making my mom a database for her Tole Books. She wanted to be able to show the cover of the book in the database (easier to show the insurance what books she had that way). Anyway, the code that I am using shows me the complete path to the picture.

CODE:

Private Sub GetPic_Click()

Dim strFilter As String
Dim strInputFileName As String

'create the filter that displays in the "File Type" drop down at the bottom of the File Dialog box
'I made it jpg based on earlier discussions ... you can make it whatever you want.

strFilter = ahtAddFilterItem(strFilter, "Picture Files (*.JPG)", "*.JPG")
strFilter = ahtAddFilterItem(strFilter, "All Files (*.*)", "*.*")
strFilter = ahtAddFilterItem(strFilter, "Picture Files (*.BMP)", "*.BMP")
strFilter = ahtAddFilterItem(strFilter, "Picture Files (*.gif)", "*.GIF")

'open the file dialog box and return path to the selected file
strInputFileName = ahtCommonFileOpenSave( _
Filter:=strFilter, OpenFile:=True, _
DialogTitle:="Please select a picture file...", _
Flags:=ahtOFN_HIDEREADONLY)

'make sure a file was selected
If Len(strInputFileName) > 0 Then
'write the value to the textbox that is bound to your PicPath field
Me.PicPath.Value = strInputFileName

'display the selected picture
Me.imgPic.Picture = Me.PicPath.Value
End If

End Sub

Gives me: N:\ToleBook\ToleBooks\Gourd Fun.gif

My question I guess is how would I get it to just show me Gourd Fun.gif?

I am not sure how much I will understand today...spent all day out in the heat yesterday (at an estate auction) and didn't get home until 1am this morning....I am functioning on luck this morning.

Lena

ASKER

I just realized that no matter how much I am trying to make it so that if something gets moved it won't help alot. I have a Auto-Updater in use (I update the front end of the database and when each person starts their own database front end it checks to see if they have the newest version) and you have to point it to the front end (Master copy) on the server...if it gets moved the database just won't startup.

Oh well....I still want to make this other part work. The more I have set up to fix itself, the less someone else will have to figure out how to do :-)

Lena

SOLUTION

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ASKER

Thank you, I will try this out and let you know how it goes.

Lena

ASKER

OK...silly question. Should the config table actually be in the backend? Using my tired logic, I would say no...but then again I am tired.

Lena

No is right :-)

(Although - that could depend on the config tables you have - I usually have a local one and a systemwide one).

Hey Lena, I see your going for the config table approach

Good choice

I guess Leigh is better at explaining that approach than I was!

ASKER

No Rocki - you and Harry the Hamster are quite the team :-) I understood what you thought I should do, just wasn't 100% sure I understood how to go about it is all. My head just hasn't been in the game lately - but don't give up on me.

Rocki uses the gentle approach....Leigh just smacks me over the head...each approach works depending on the day!

Honestly, I couldn't and wouldn't be here at my job doing what I do today without the 3 of you (Rocki, Leigh and Harry) among many others.

THANKS!
Lena

Thanks!

I thought my kids were bad, damn, Im watching this program called Driving Mum and Dad

3 yr olds swearing and hitting their parents, damn

ASKER

Makes you wonder why the parents didn't put a stop to it the first time it happened. My kids would NEVER do anything like that...they may want too, but don't. (I am glad they don't, as they are both able to kick my butt now - getting old sucks!).

Thanks again Rocki....you will be awarded as you derserve, not only with EE points, but also with the gratitude of many.

Lena

stevbe

For your picture path I would put that in a BE config table so you can cghnage it on the fly without distributing a new version of the FE. That is why my "PicPath" function stores the results in a var, you only have to make a hit to the BE one time per session.

Steve

ASKER

Thank you Steve for the information. My goal for today is to make this work. I shall return with more questions if I have them.

Lena