>George
>
>Thanks.
>
>Since asking the original question, I have devised a non VFP solution.
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>The VFP application in question has a file search engine which generates .dbfs containing file lists from a recursive search.
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>The main cursor is "split" into differing file types, thus there is a table for ".doc", ".bmp", etc.
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>A grid with multi-select functionality allows the user to manipulate the filenames, Windows Explorer style. To complete the explorer simulation, an icon is converted into a 16 x 16 x 16 bmp and displayed in an image control on the grid.
>
>The main file types and relevant bmps, are developer installed, but the user can add other file types to the recursive search list.
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>By using freeware batch icon extractors and freeware batch converters, it has been possible to build a library of bmps. The user can choose a bmp which is appropriate to the file type.
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>I explain this in case anyone else is coincidentally travelling the same route.
>
Dennis,

Mind if I make a suggestion? One of the least used, but in my mind most helpful ActiveX controls is the Picture Clip. It can be used for the source of the images used by the ImageList control. Its utility comes from the fact that you store multiple images in a single bitmap. The images have to be of equal size, but you've already indicated that that's the case. This can greatly reduce the amount of disk I/O that has to be done when loading images.