Craig,

No, the Report Object ActiveX control isn't VFP Specific. After knowing there was no way to do what I was needing to do for REPORT PREVIEW in pure VFP code I decided on the ActiveX Container because it gets WM_PAINT refresh messages to know when to repaint itself even in VFP Forms. So I knew that was the way to go. What I'm doing for the VFP community is writing a VFP Report Engine Class that actually runs nearly any VFP FRX Report and processes it and loads it into my control for PREVIEWING or PRINTING. Someday I might rewrite that part in C++ so it will go faster. I think I have optimized it as much as possible. But still it takes almost 2 minutes to load a 700 page report into my control. A single page happens in a flash even with a lot of lines and shapes and text and labels. I have thought of more ways to optimize that using overlays in my Report Object so I only have to process those items that change such as data fields and objects without PRINT WHEN expressions. However, I do parse the FRX table and actually execute code from the INIT method in case you are like me and put a lot of code in the DE INIT to open tables and run the queries into cursors etc. Thanks to the COMPILE command.


As far as looking at the other tools and their pricing up on Hallogram's website of Report Writers which there are a lot of them. It looks like the average price is around $500 to $600 for a single user. I do know Crystal DOES A LOT now. I just don't have time to write such thick manuals! <bg> But seriously, I don't have their market share yet but I also don't have their overhead either. So in the future maybe I can lower the price, or like I said before send out Rebate Checks! <g> I did look at Crystal Reports latest prices and features and I know they now export to PDF as well and I am still shopping features and comparing. This is still version 1.0 for me. I've got 8 more releases to catch up to Crystal. I haven't seen R&R for a long time. I did see their booth at DEVCON 2000 in Miami though. Back then it was still pretty Windows 3.1 looking.


I'll have to finish up my VFP Report Designer tool and then supply that along with the VFP Report Engine class too so all the VFP Community can have a better Report Layout Tool. I really hated having to edit Labels by clicking on the Text Tool then clicking back on the label and then editing. At least in VFP 7 you can now hit CTRL+E. That's much better than the old way of doing it. Hmmm, I wonder where that came from. My design tool is just double click to edit the Label. Close enough! <bg>


> That's somewhat different. From the discussion, it sounded like it was VFP specific. However, you should look at pricing
> for things like Crystal Reports, R&R, and others. Then compare product features, etc.