>I would assume this is a "feature" of VFP that will not change in the forseeable future.

I wouldn't assume anything, but I would like that changed! :)

>Does anybody have experience with any automated testing tools that can specifically target VFP apps at the UI object level (eg: get the current text value) rather than just doing bitmap comparisons?

Did you talked with the producer of your software? Maybe they have also a version for VFP.

>Can the (formerly) Microsoft Visual Test (?now Rational Test) interrogate VFP UI objects in this fashion?

AFAIK, no.

Vlad