Copyright: Copyright © 1999 CQuick Technologies
Citation: Copyright © 1999 CQuick Technologies


View Options Dialog Box

Description

The View Options dialog box allows you to change to the settings associated with the Gallery view, slide show viewer, and the background wallpaper image.

How To Open

To open, click on the View menu and then select Options.

Dialog Box Options

Wallpaper Tab

Filename - Provides a space for you to enter the name of a wallpaper image file.

Browse - Click here to search for wallpaper on other drives or in other folders.

Available Files - Displays the available wallpaper.

Preview - Displays a preview of your wallpaper.

Gallery Tab

Photo Key - Select an object as the data source for the Gallery View thumbnail. Only objects of type Photo and BinPhoto are valid entries.

Caption Key - Select an object as the data source for the Gallery View caption. Only objects of type Boolean, Currency, Date, Memo, Number, Percentage, Text, and Time are valid entries.

Font - Click here to change the font properties for the Gallery View caption text.

Thumbnail Size - Specifies the width and height of the Gallery View thumbnail image.

Slide Show Tab

Records - Determines the range of records displayed by the slide show.

Transition - Set various options that control when and how the next slide will appear.

Wipes - Specifies the special effect used to display the next slide.

Related Topics

 Changing Wallpaper

 Changing Gallery View Settings

 Changing Slide Show Settings


Changing Wallpaper

Add visual impact by tiling a wallpaper image in the background. To add or change the wallpaper:

1.	Click on the View menu and then select Options.

2.	Switch to the Wallpaper dialog page.

3.	Select an image file from the Available Files list or click Browse and search for a image file not already listed.

4.	Click on the OK button.

Notes

 You can use Windows bitmap (.bmp), enhanced metafiles (.emf), JPEG (.jpg), and Windows metafiles (.wmf) image files as wallpaper.


Provides a space for you to enter the name of a wallpaper image file.


Click here to search for wallpaper on other drives or in other folders. You can use Windows bitmap (.bmp), enhanced metafiles (.emf), JPEG (.jpg), and Windows metafiles (.wmf) image files as wallpaper.


Displays the available wallpaper. To preview a wallpaper, click on its name.


Displays a preview of your wallpaper. To preview a wallpaper, click on its name.


Changing Gallery View
Changing Gallery View Settings

Change the way Gallery View displays your thumbnails. To change Gallery View:

1.	Click on the View menu and then select Options.

2.	Switch to the Gallery dialog page.

3.	Select the object in the Photo Key combo box to use as the Gallery View thumbnail source.

4.	Select the object in the Caption Key combo box to use as the Gallery View caption source.

5.	Click on the Font button to change the font properties for the Gallery View caption text.

6.	Select the thumbnail size in the Thumbnail Size combo box to set the width and height of the Gallery View thumbnail

7.	Click on the OK button.


Select an object as the data source for the Gallery View thumbnail. Only objects of type Photo and BinPhoto are valid entries.


Select an object as the data source for the Gallery View caption. Only objects of type Boolean, Currency, Date, Memo, Number, Percentage, Text, and Time are valid entries.


Click here to change the font properties for the Gallery View caption text.


Specifies the width and height of the Gallery View thumbnail image.


Changing Slide Show Settings

Set your slide show just the way you want it. To set the slide show:

1.	Click on the View menu and then select Options.

2.	Switch to the Slide Show dialog page.

3.	Select All to include all the records in the slide show.

4.	Select From to include a subset of records in the slide show.

5.	To advance the slide show on a mouse click check Advance On Mouse Click.

6.	To advance the slide show automatically after a delay check Advance Every.

7.	To loop through the slide show continuously check Loop Continuously.

8.	Select the special effect in the Wipes combo box to use in a slide show .

9.	Click on the OK button.


Select All to include the entire database in a slide show.


Select From to include part the database in a slide show.


Specifies the records in the database to include in a slide show.


Check to allow the slide show to advance on a mouse click.


Check to allow the slide show to advance automatically after a given time delay.


Specifies number of seconds that a slide show waits before advancing to the next record.


Check to repeat the slide show over and over again.


Specifies the special effect used to display the next slide.


Shows how a special effect will look in a slide show.


Sort Dialog Box

Description

The Sort dialog box allows you to reorder the position of records in an ascending or descending order based on the contents of up to three objects.

How To Open

To open, click on the Record menu and then select Sort.

Dialog Box Options

Sort By - Identifies the primary key you want to sort records by.

Then By - Identifies a secondary key to sort records by.

Ascending - Select this to order the records from lowest to highest value.

Descending - Select this to order the records from highest to lowest value.

Related Topics

 Sorting the Database


Sorting the Database

Sort your database using one, two, or three sort keys. To sort:

1.	Click on the Records menu and then select Sort.

2.	Select the object in the Sort By combo box to use as the primary sort key.

3.	Select the object in the Then By combo box to use as the secondary sort key. This step is optional.

4.	Select the object in the second Then By combo box to use as the tertiary sort key. This step is optional.

5.	To sort in ascending order check Ascending for each sort key. To sort in descending order check Descending for each sort key.

6.	Click on the OK button.

Notes

 You can precisely control record order by adding a Number Object and entering a number in each record with the lowest number being the record you want to view first. You can hide this object using the Object Status Dialog Box. If you run a sort with this object as the primary sort key, Showcase will display the records in the order you specified.


Identifies the primary key you want to sort records by.


Identifies a secondary key to sort records by.


Select Ascending to order the records from lowest to highest value.


Select Descending to order the records from highest to lowest value.


Run Simple Query Dialog Box

Description

The Run Simple Query dialog box allows you to generate a multi-part query that returns records containing matching content.  This utility will search all database fields as its search area.

How To Open

To open, click on the Query menu and then select Run Simple Query.

Dialog Box Options

Keyword - Enter the characters to search for.

Include - Determines whether the returned records should include the keyword.

Exclude - Determines whether the returned records should exclude the keyword.

Related Topics

 Running a Simple Query


Indicates the characters to search for.


Indicates a second set of characters to search for.


Indicates a third set of characters to search for.


Determines whether the returned records should include or exclude the keyword.


Run the query.


Run Query Dialog Box

Description

The Run Query dialog box allows you to generate a new query or add a new parameter to the current query. Showcase will search the specified object as its search area and enable you to utilize a wide range of evaluation methods.

How To Open

To open, click on the Query menu and then select Run Query.

Dialog Box Options

Find What - Enter the characters to search for.

In - Determine the object to search against.

Match If - Select the method of comparison used during the search.

Find Whole Word Only - Direct Showcase to ignore records where the text in the Find What option is partially or completely embedded in a larger word.

Append To Current Query - Connect this query to the current query.

Combine Using ‘AND’ - Connect this query to the current query using the AND conjunction.

Combine Using ‘OR’ - Connect this query to the current query using the OR conjunction.

Run - Execute the query.

Related Topics

Querying for Records


Enter the characters to search for.


Determine the object to search against.


Select the method of comparison used during the search.


Direct Showcase to ignore records where the text in the Find What option is partially or completely embedded in a larger word.


Connect this query to the current query.


Connect this query to the current query using the AND conjunction.


Connect this query to the current query using the OR conjunction.


Execute the query.


 Organize Query List Dialog Box

Description

The Organize Query List dialog box allows you to add to, delete, rename, or edit the list of saved queries.

How To Open

To open, click on the Query menu and then select Organize List.

Dialog Box Options

Current Query - Identifies the name of the current query.

Add To List - Adds the query identified in the Current Query field to the Query List.

Saved Queries List - Displays a list of the saved queries.

Delete - Removes the selected query from the Saved Queries List.

Rename - Renames the selected query from the Saved Queries List.

Expression - Shows the expression of the selected query in the Saved Queries List.

Edit - Allows you to edit the contents of the Expression field.

Related Topics

 Organizing the Query List


Identifies the name of the current query.


Adds the query identified in the Current Query field to the Query List.


Displays a list of the saved queries.


Removes the selected query from the Saved Queries List.


Renames the selected query from the Saved Queries List.


Shows the expression of the selected query in the Saved Queries List.


Allows you to edit the contents of the Expression field.


 Queries Dialog Box

Description

The Queries dialog box lets you run any saved queries.

How To Open

To open, click on the Query menu and then select More Queries.

Dialog Box Options

Query List - Enter the characters to search for.

Run - Determine the object to search against.

Related Topics

 Running Saved Queries


Displays a list of saved queries which you can run.


Runs the selected query.


Properties Dialog Box

Description

The Properties dialog box allows you to change the various properties associated with each object.

How To Open

To open, click on the Object menu and then select Properties.

Dialog Box Options

Object List - Displays the name and type of the objects used in your current document.

Visible Property - Determines if an object is hidden or displayed.

Read Only Property - Determines if an object can accept edit changes.

Selected Property - Determines if an object is selected.

Moveable Property - Determines if an object can be moved or resized.

Rename - Click to change the name of an object.

Related Topics

 Changing an Object’s Size and Position


Changing Object Properties

Change the properties of any object. To do this:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Properties.

2.	From the list of objects, click on the object whose properties you wish to change.

3.	View or change the object properties of interest.

4.	Click on the OK button.

Notes

 The object properties include Visible, Moveable, Selected, and Read Only.


Displays the name and type of the objects used in your current document.


Determines if the selected object is hidden or displayed.


Determines if the selected object can be moved or resized.


Determines if the selected object is selected.


Determines if the selected object can accept edit changes.


Click here to change the name of the selected object.


Print Dialog Box

Description

The Print dialog box allows you to print all or a range of records from the database.  Additionally, you can control collating and copy settings.  When printing in either Normal or Split view, Showcase will print the page with images, text, and wallpaper as it appears in Normal view.  When printing in Gallery view, Showcase will print each specified record as a thumbnail image.

How To Open

To open, click on the File menu and then select Print.  You can also open this dialog box by pressing the Print toolbar button or pressing the Ctrl-P keyboard shortcut.

Dialog Box Options

Printer Name - Identifies the active printer.

Print Range - Specifies which records to print.

Copies - Specifies the number of copies to print.

Collated - Check to organize pages when you print multiple copies.

Related Topics

 Print Preview

 Printing


Printing Records

You can print every record, or a range of records from the database.  If you are printing while in Gallery View, Showcase will print thumbnail images for each record you specify in the print range. To print:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select Print.

2.	Select the printer device to print to in the Printer Name combo box.

3.	Select All, Records, or Current to print all, a certain range of records, or just the current record, respectively.

4.	If you want to print more than one copy, then enter the number of copies in the Number Of Copies edit box.

5.	If you want your printout collated, then check the Collated check box.

6.	Click on the OK button.


Identifies the active printer.


Select All to print your entire database.


Select Records to print part of your database.


Select Current to print the current record of your database.


Specifies the records in your database to print.


Specifies the number of copies to print.


Check to organize pages when you print multiple copies.


Page Setup Dialog Box

Description

The Page Setup dialog box allows you to control the appearance of the printed document.

How To Open

Click on the File menu and then select Page Setup.

Dialog Box Options

General Tab

Orientation - Select Portrait to orient your document with the short edge at the top, or select Landscape to orient your document with the long edge at the top.

Scaling - Specifies the zoom factor for your printed document. Zoom factors less than 100 shrink your document; zoom factors greater than 100 enlarge your document. If you select Fit To Page, Showcase will set the zoom factor to automatically fit the document to the printer paper.

Size - Specifies the width and height of the Normal View page.

Margins Tab

Left - Specifies the distance you want between the left side of the page and the left edge of your document.

Top - Specifies the distance you want between the top of the page and the top of your document.

Right - Specifies the distance you want between the right side of the page and the right edge of your document.

Bottom - Specifies the distance you want between the bottom of the page and the bottom of your document.

Header - Specifies the distance you want between the top of the page and the header.

Footer - Specifies the distance you want between the bottom of the page and the footer.

Header/Footer Tab

Header Region - Selects the region of the header (left, center, right) where your header entries should appear.

Header Content - Specifies the comment to add to the specified Header Region.

Footer Region - Selects the region of the footer (left, center, right) where your footer entries should appear.

Footer Content - Specifies the comment to add to the specified Footer Region.

Font - Click here to change the font properties for the header and footer.

Related Topics

 Setting the Page Layout For Printing

 Setting Margins For Printing

 Adding a Header/Footer to the Printout


Select Portrait to orient your document with the short edge at the top.


Select Landscape to orient your document with the long edge at the top.


Select Adjust To to zoom your document out or in to a given amount. This applies only to printing.


Specifies the zoom factor for your document. Zoom factors less than 100 shrink your document; zoom factors greater than 100 enlarge your document. This applies only to printing.


Select Fit To Page to fit the document to the printer paper. This applies only to printing.


Specifies the width of the Normal View page.


Specifies the height of the Normal View page.


Select Inches to change the unit of measurement to inches.


Select Centimeters to change the unit of measurement to centimeters.


File Page Setup Margins


Specifies the distance you want between the left side of the page and the left edge of your document.


Specifies the distance you want between the top of the page and the top of your document.


Specifies the distance you want between the right side of the page and the right edge of your document.


Specifies the distance you want between the bottom of the page and the bottom of your document.


Specifies the distance you want between the top of the page and the header.


Specifies the distance you want between the bottom of the page and the footer.


File Page Setup Header/Footer


Selects the region of the header (left, center, right) where your header entries should appear.


Specifies the comment to add to the specified Header Region. You can add a comment to the left, center, and right sections of the header at the same time.


Selects the region of the footer (left, center, right) where your footer entries should appear.


Specifies the comment to add to the specified Footer Region. You can add a comment to the left, center, and right sections of the footer at the same time.


Click here to change the font properties for the header and footer.


Metrics Dialog Box

Description

The Metrics dialog box allows you to change the size and position of selected objects.

How To Open

To open, click on the Object menu and then select Metrics.

Dialog Box Options

Position - Specifies the distance from the left and top side of the page for the selected objects.

Size - Specifies the horizontal and vertical dimensions of selected objects.

Units of Measurement - View the information in different units of measurement.

Related Topics

 Changing an Object’s Size and Position


Changing the Object's Size and Position
Changing the Object’s Size and Position

To change the position of selected objects:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Metrics.

2.	Select Inches, Centimeters, or Pixels to change to the preferred unit of measurement.  This step is optional.

3.	Edit the Left and Top edit boxes.

4.	Click on the OK button.

To change the size of selected objects:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Metrics.

2.	Select Inches, Centimeters, or Pixels to change to the preferred unit of measurement.  This step is optional.

3.	Edit the Width and Height edit boxes.

4.	Click on the OK button.

Notes

 If you are attempting to change the size or position of the selected object or set of objects, make sure that the objects are Moveable. Otherwise changes do not take effect.


Specifies the distance from the left side of the page to the selected objects.


Specifies the distance from the top of the page to the selected objects.


Specifies the horizontal dimension of selected objects.


Specifies the vertical dimension of selected objects.


Select Inches to change the unit of measurement to inches.


Select Centimeters to change the unit of measurement to centimeters.


Select Pixels to change the unit of measurement to pixels.


 Find Record Dialog Box

Description

The Find Record dialog box allows you to jump to the next or previous record holding data that meet your specifications.

How To Open

To open, click on the Record menu and then select Find.

Dialog Box Options

Find What - Enter the characters to search for.

In - Determine the object to search against.

Match If - Select the method of comparison used during the search.

Find Whole Word Only - Direct Showcase to ignore records where the text in the Find What option is partially or completely embedded in a larger word.

Next - Search subsequent records for a possible match.

Previous - Search previous records for a possible match.

Related Topics

 Searching for Records


Searching for Records

To search for specific records from the database:

1.	Click on the Records menu and then select Find.

2.	Enter the characters to search for in the Find What field.

3.	Determine the object to search against with the In field. This entry can include wildcard characters, character lists, and character ranges in any combination.

4.	Select the method of comparison used during the search with the Match If field.

5.	If you wish to direct Showcase to ignore records where the text in the Find What option is partially or completely embedded in a larger word, check the Find Whole Word Only box.

6.	Click on the Next button if you wish to search the region of the database subsequent to the current record.

7.	Click on the Previous button if you wish to search the region of the database previous to the current record.

Notes

 The Find What field supports the use of wildcard characters.


Enter the characters to search for.


Determine the object to search against.


Select the method of comparison used during the search.


Direct Showcase to ignore records where the text in the Find What option is partially or completely embedded in a larger word.


Search subsequent records for a possible match.


Search previous records for a possible match.


 Edit Queries Dialog Box

Description

The Edit Queries dialog box lets you run any saved queries.

How To Open

To open, click on the Query menu and then select Edit.

Dialog Box Options

Expression - Lets you view and edit the query expression.

Try - Lets you test the expression for validity.

Related Topics

 Editing a Query


Lets you view and edit the query expression.


Lets you test the expression for validity.


 Delete Record Dialog Box

Description

The Delete Record dialog box allows you to delete the current record, a range of records, or all records from the current set.

How To Open

To open, click on the Record menu and then select Delete.

Dialog Box Options

Delete All - Removes all of the records in the current set.  If you are running a query, Showcase will only delete the records within the scope of the query.

Delete Records From X To X - Removes all of the records within the specified range.

Delete Current - Removes the current record.

Related Topics

 Changing an Object’s Size and Position


Specifies that you want to delete all of the records.


Specifies that you want to delete a range of records.


Specifies that you want to delete the current record.


Specifies the first record of a delete range.


Specifies the last record of a delete range.


Data Format Dialog Box

Description

The Data Format dialog box allows you to apply a formatting mask for any available number or text-based object.

How To Open

To open, click on the Object menu and then select Data Format.

Dialog Box Options

Object List - Displays the objects that are available for formatting.

Available Formats - Displays the possible formats that can be applied to the selected object.

Related Topics

 Formatting Data


Displays the objects that are available for formatting.


Displays the possible formats that can be applied to the selected object.


Formatting Data

Showcase gives you the opportunity to format the contents of any text-based object. For instance, if you have a Number object intended to show centimeter values, you can format the object to add a “cm” extension to all numbers displayed by this object. While the formatted extension adds visual meaning, it does not affect the value contained within the database.

To format an object:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Format.

2.	Select an object from the list of objects.

3.	Select the format setting in the Available Formats combo box.

4.	Click on the OK button.

Notes

 You can apply formatting to text-based objects using the Data Format dialog box.


Autoscan Dialog Box

Description

The Autoscan dialog box is an automated tool for adding images to your database.  The dialog box lets you designate multiple folders or drives as the search region, and then initiate an automated scan of each location, including any of its subfolders, for image files.  When it finds an image file, Showcase appends a new record to the database and fills the record with information specific to the image file.

How To Open

When creating a new database, click on the File menu and then select New.  To add images to a database that is already open, click the Record menu and then select Autoscan.

Dialog Box Options

System Folders - Displays the hierarchy of storage devices and folders on your computer.

Folder Contents - Displays the subfolders found in the current selected folder. Placing a check next to a folder indicates that you want to search for image files in that folder.

Settings - Click here to change the search and data mapping options.

Scan - Click here to start searching for image files.

Related Topics

 Creating the Database

 Updating the Database

 Autoscan Settings Dialog Box


Creating the Database

Creating the database is easy. To create a new database:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select New.

2.	Navigate to a folder of interest using the My Computer tree control. The My Computer tree control operates much like the tree control in Windows Explorer.

3.	Check the subfolders of interest in the Contents list box. A check tells Showcase to look for image files in that subfolder.

4.	Click on the Scan button.

Notes

 Upon completion of the scan, Showcase positions the database at record one and displays the contents of that record in Normal view. The right-most portion of the status bar tells you how many records you have in the new database.

 In Normal view, you will see several text objects arranged on the left side of the page and a Photo object on the right side of the page. These text objects will show descriptive information about the current image. If you click on any object, the status bar will identify the object by name.

 Except for the Photo object, a complementary label object identifies each database object.

 Click here for information on creating a portable document.

 For a detailed description of the objects Showcase generates during the database creation process, see Default Database Objects.


Updating the Database

To add new images to the current database:

1.	Click on the Record menu and then select Autoscan.

2.	Navigate to a folder of interest using the My Computer tree control. The My Computer tree control operates much like the tree control in Windows Explorer.

3.	Check the subfolders of interest in the Contents list box. A check tells Showcase to look for image files in that subfolder.

4.	Click on the Scan button.

Notes

 Showcase will add images that are not currently referenced by the database.


Autoscan Dialog Controls


Displays the hierarchy of storage devices and folders on your computer.


Displays the subfolders found in the current selected folder. Placing a check next to a folder indicates that you want to search for image files in that folder.


Click here to start searching for image files.


Click here to change the search and data mapping options.


Default Database Objects

When you create a new database using the Autoscan dialog box, Showcase adds the following objects to your database:

Main Photo	Displays the referenced image.

File Name Label	Label for the File Name object.

File Name	File name of the image in the Main Photo object.

File Type Label	Label for the File Type object.

File Type	Photo type such as “JPEG File”.

File Size Label	Label for the File Size object.

File Size	Size of file in kilobyte units.

Width Label	Label for the Width object.

Width	Width of photo in centimeters.

Height Label	Label for the Height object.

Height	Height of photo in centimeters.

Bits Label	Label for the Bits object.

Bits	The bits per pixel attribute of the photo.

Time Modified Label	Label for the Time Modified object.

Time Modified	The image file’s last modified time.

Date Modified Label	Label for the Date Modified object.

Date Modified	The image file’s last modified date.


Autoscan Settings Dialog Box

Description

With the Autoscan Settings dialog box, you can edit the settings utilized by the Autoscan dialog box.  These settings allow you to:

•	Choose what type of image is scanned.  For instance, you can tell Showcase to scan for all BMP and JPG image formats but ignore all other formats.

•	Change the destination object where Showcase saves specific data about each image file.

How To Open

From the Autoscan dialog box, click on the Settings button.

Dialog Box Options

Image Filters Tab

Image Filters List - Displays the image file extensions you want to include in a scan.

Select All - Selects all filters.

Clear All - Clears all selected filters.

Data Mapping Tab

Image Key - Select the object where Showcase sends the image data.

File Name Key - Select the object where Showcase sends the image file name data.

Image Type Key - Select the object where Showcase sends the image type data.

File Size Key - Select the object where Showcase sends the image file size data.

Image Width Key - Select the object  where you want the image width data.

Image Height Key - Select the object where Showcase sends the image height data.

Bits Per Pixel Key - Select the object where Showcase sends the image bits per pixel data.

Date Modified Key - Select the object where Showcase sends the image date modified data.

Time Modified Key - Select the object where Showcase sends the image time modified data.

Related Topics

 Autoscan Data Mappings

 Autoscan Image Filters

 Autoscan Dialog Box


Autoscan Image Filters

You can modify Showcase’s list of image format filters. As an example, you can tell Showcase to scan for all BMP and JPG image formats but ignore all image files with other formats.

To modify the image filter list:

1.	Click on the Settings button in the Autoscan dialog box.

2.	Edit the list of image file types you want to include in your document.

3.	Click on the OK button.


Displays the image file extensions you want to include in a scan.


Check to set the current selection of image file extensions as the default set of extensions.


Clears all selected filters.


Selects all filters.


Autoscan Data Mappings

You can modify where information gathered during an Autoscan is placed. To do this:

1.	Click on the Settings button in the Autoscan dialog box.

2.	Switch to the Data Mapping dialog page.

3.	For each data item, select the object where you want that item stored.

4.	Click on OK.


Select the object where Showcase sends the image data.


Select the object where Showcase sends the image file name data.


Select the object where Showcase sends the image type data.


Select the object where Showcase sends the image file size data.


Select the object  where you want the image width data.


Select the object where Showcase sends the image height data.


Select the object where Showcase sends the image bits per pixel data.


Select the object where Showcase sends the image date modified data.


Select the object where Showcase sends the image time modified data.


Alignment Dialog Box

Description

The Object Alignment dialog box allows you to control the content alignment of each selected object.

How To Open

To open, click on the Object menu and then select Alignment.

Dialog Box Options

Click In Region - Sets the horizontal and vertical position of an object’s data.

Horizontal - Positions an object’s data on the left, center, or right part of an object.

Vertical - Positions an object’s data on the top, center, or bottom part of an object. This setting applies only to objects holding images.

Related Topics

 Changing Object Alignment


Changing Data Alignment

Change the horizontal or vertical alignment of the selected object’s image or text. To change the object’s alignment:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Alignment.

2.	Select the horizontal alignment setting in the Horizontal combo box. An object can be horizontally aligned to the left, center, or right.

3.	Select the vertical alignment setting in the Vertical combo box. An object can be vertically aligned to the top, center, or bottom.

4.	Click on the OK button.

Notes

 The vertical alignment setting has no effect on text-based objects.


Sets the horizontal and vertical positions of an object’s data.


Positions an object’s data on the left, center, or right part of an object.


Positions an object’s data on the top, center, or bottom part of an object. This setting applies only to objects holding images.


Add Object Dialog Box

Description

The Add Object dialog box allows you to add a variety of objects to each record in the database.  Additionally, the dialog lets you rename each object before Showcase creates the object.

How To Open

To open, click on the Edit menu and then select Add Object.

Dialog Box Options

Available Objects - Displays the object types that you can add to your database.

Add - Click to add the selected object type to the Insert List.

Delete - Click to remove the selected object from the Insert List.

Rename - Click to change the name of the selected object in the Insert List

Insert List - Displays the objects that Showcase will add to your database.

Related Topics

 Adding an Object

 Showcase Objects


Adding an Object

To add objects of various types:

1.	Click on the Edit menu and then select Add Object.

2.	Select an object from the Available Types list box.

3.	Click on the Add button.

4.	Click on the Rename button and change the name. Click here for the rules on naming an object.  This step is optional.

5. 	Click on the OK button.

Notes

What are objects?  Why do you need them?  See Showcase Objects to find your answers.


Displays the object types that you can add to your database.


Click here to add the selected object type to the Insert List. Objects in the Insert list are added to your database when you click OK.


Displays the objects that Showcase will add to your database.


Click here to change the name of the selected object in the Insert List.


Click here to remove the selected object from the Insert List.


Product Overview

Showcase is an application that manages digital photographs by grouping each image with information that supports, describes, or relates to it.  To help you manage such groups of diverse data, Showcase integrates a combination of relational database, desktop publishing, and image viewing technologies.  This unique blending of capabilities results in a product that makes it easy to turn ordinary image files into significant business assets.

Key Benefits:

•	Finds and displays image files located in folders, directories, CD-ROMS, and other storage devices.

•	Associates descriptive data with each photograph and indexes the combined information as a record in a database file.

•	Retrieves photographs through queries describing multiple conditions.

•	Creates original layouts for viewing photographs and associated information.

To find out more about Showcase, click on more Information.  For an expanded listing of Showcase’s capabilities, take a look at the summary of features.  This version of Showcase includes extensive improvements.  Find out what’s new.  To get started right away, learn how to create your first database.

Showcase runs on Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, and Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 operating systems.  See the complete listing of system requirements.


Description of Showcase

Showcase integrates a variety of features to facilitate working with digital images.  At the heart of Showcase is a relational database engine that makes it possible to document, query, and sort thousands of images.  Added to this are desktop publishing features that offer a great deal of control over the visual arrangement of pictures and their associated information.  Additionally, Showcase integrates an image viewer capable of displaying most of today’s popular image formats.  In blending these complementary technologies, Showcase makes it easy to archive, display, and work with large numbers of digital images.

Cataloging Photographs

To create a database, Showcase will perform a detailed search for image files in the areas (directories, folders, or storage devices) that you designate as a scanning region.  You can tell Showcase what type of image formats to search for and what image formats to avoid.  Showcase generates a database record that indexes each image file and documents it with information Showcase is able to gather on its own (such as image file size and image width).

Example: If there are 200,000 image files in the designated search areas, Showcase will generate a database containing 200,000 records.

Associating Information to Photographs

Showcase displays information through containers (hereafter referred to as objects) that are associated to database fields.  Some objects display pictures while some display text information.  Altogether, Showcase has various types of objects designed to accept specific information such as numbers, dates, times, text, currency values, pictures, etc.  You can directly edit the information in these objects.  Furthermore, Showcase supports on-the-fly addition or deletion of objects (and their corresponding database fields).

Example: A Showcase database tracking real estate property can store information such as number of bedrooms, construction date, listed price, number of bathrooms, etc.

Retrieving Photographs

To retrieve groups of related pictures, Showcase uses queries that are built through an interactive process.  If you provide a search parameter, Showcase will retrieve all the records that meet its conditions.  Afterwards, you can modify the query by adding more parameters.  Adding additional parameters can augment or reduce the resulting set of records.  Once you have the perfect query, you can save it with a descriptive name, so that you can re-run the same query without having to rebuild it each time.  Showcase can maintain up to 100 queries per database, each capable of holding up to forty connected expressions.

Example:  A Showcase database of animals can hold dozens of queries.  One such query might retrieve all pictures of cats and dogs, but no mice.  Another query might retrieve pictures of cows that are two years in age and born in Texas.

Customizing the Interface

Showcase makes it easy to customize the appearance of the database.  Moving or sizing pictures and text require a simple click, drag, and release of your mouse.  Other customization capabilities include hiding select objects, changing its font, and setting its alignment properties, so that information appears left justified, centered, or right justified.  Furthermore, Showcase can display text and images that are not connected to a database.  This can be useful for adding labels to database information or displaying your company’s logo.

To view pictures as thumbnails, Showcase can display images in any size from 20x20 pixels to 400x400 pixels.  Thumbnails can also include captions under each image showing information from another database field.

Printing

After customizing the appearance of the database, you can preview and print each record exactly as it appears on screen.  Changes made to any object’s data, position, or appearance will be reflected in the printed document.  Showcase also prints thumbnail proof sheets with small images rendered in nearly any size.  With standard page setup controls such as margins, orientation, scaling, and header footer settings, you can quickly convert Showcase records into printed documents.

Collaboration and Sharing

Would you like to exchange the database with friends and associates?  Showcase has the flexibility to store a duplicate of all referenced image files within the database.  This results in a portable database that you can copy to a Zip disk or CD-ROM and send it to other Showcase users.  Furthermore, placing the Showcase database on a shared drive within a local area network enables simultaneous, multi-user access to database information.  The portable database and multi-user access capabilities can simplify the collaboration and sharing of photographic assets within working teams.

Summary

Showcase emphasizes the benefits of working with pictures in context with information that can be added, modified, and searched.  Associating keywords and other related information to photographs makes it possible to retrieve, view, print, and share digital information with unprecedented ease.  If you create or work with digital photographs, Showcase represents a photo management tool that can save you time and improve your productivity.

For more information, see Summary of Features.


Summary of Features

General

•	Generates databases that can hold up to one million records (one gigabyte file size limit).

•	Concurrently access a Showcase database in networked environments.

•	Edit the Showcase database using Microsoft Access.

•	Understands international formats for numbers, currencies, and dates.

•	Supports date values that are year 2000 (Y2K) compliant.

•	Accepts a variety of keyboard shortcuts.

Cataloging

•	Scans for image files in designated folders, drives, CD-ROMS, or other storage devices.

•	Reads and displays the following image formats: BMP, CAL, CMP, EPS, FAX, FPX, ICA, ICO, IMG, JPG, MAC, MSP, PCD, PCT, PCX, PNG, PSD, RAS, TGA, TIF, WMF, WPG.

•	Searches for image files using filters that selectively target specified image formats.

•	Tracks images by recording the file’s location, or by importing the image into the database.

Editing

•	Capable of adding or deleting database fields on the fly.

•	Supports database fields capable of storing words, large descriptions, numbers, dates, times, currency values, true or false values, and pictures.

•	Provides access to image and text settings such as font, size, position, alignment, etc.

•	Lets you create objects that can hold labels, logos, and titles.

•	Offers delete and rename file management functions.

•	Safeguards information with write protection settings for each database field.

•	Supports multiple undo actions.

Retrieving

•	Queries for records based on string matches or numeric evaluations.

•	Supports running successive queries that refine or expand the results of previous queries.

•	Makes query expressions available for viewing and editing.

•	Stores up to 100 queries per database.

•	Sorts records using existing database fields as the sort key.

Viewing

•	Shows the database in Normal View (integrates pictures and text), Gallery View (thumbnail images with caption), or Split View (Gallery View and Normal View together).

•	Hides selected database fields.

•	Includes wallpaper images that can tile across the background.

•	Supports full screen slide shows with transitions, delays, and other settings.

Printing

•	Prints images and text as displayed (WYSIWYG).

•	Prints thumbnail sheets with pictures sized between 20x20 to 400x400 pixels.

•	Exposes settings for margins, headers, footers, page orientation, scaling, and page dimensions.

•	Previews the printout with print preview.


What's New?
What’s New?

•	The previous maximum database size of 32,000 records has been extended to over one million records.

•	Query expressions can contain multiple conditions.

•	Each database can store up to 100 queries saved under descriptive names.  These queries can be edited, deleted, and renamed.

•	The new Query menu displays a history list providing quick access to the most recently executed queries.

•	The new Record Find feature finds the next or previous record that matches your criteria.

•	The improved Record Delete function lets you delete the current record, a range of records, or all of the records.

•	During database creation, the Autoscan wizard populates the database with two additional objects that hold the image file’s last modified time and last modified date.

•	The Undo menu command describes the next undo action.

•	The Slide Show Viewer displays a close button and supports keyboard navigation commands.

•	Database files that are read-only or stored on read-only media such as CD-ROMs will load significantly faster.

•	The updated Help documentation includes guidelines for running Showcase in a networked environment, or editing a Showcase database using Microsoft Access.

•	This version includes better support for international number, currency, date, and time formats.

•	Showcase supports date values and date formatting for the year 2000 and beyond.


End User License Agreement
End-User License Agreement for CQuick Technologies' "Showcase"

This CQuick Technologies End-User License Agreement is a legal contract governing the use of the software product titled "Showcase". By installing, copying, or using Showcase, you agree to abide by the terms of this contract. If you do not agree to the terms of this contract, do not install or use Showcase.

Copyright laws, international copyright treaties, and other intellectual property laws and treaties protect the use of Showcase. While CQuick Technologies will license the use of Showcase, it does not sell Showcase.

1. Installation and Usage

This contract provides you, a single individual, with the right to use Showcase on any computer where Showcase is installed. You may install Showcase on an unlimited number of computers if you are the only individual using Showcase on those computers. If you install Showcase on a networked computer or any system utilized by multiple users, each individual who uses Showcase must purchase a separate license and agree to the terms of this contract.

2. Other Rights and Limitations.

You may not reverse engineer, de-compile, or disassemble Showcase or any of its components. The structure, organization, code, and conceptual implementation are the trade secrets of CQuick Technologies and its component suppliers.

CQuick Technologies licenses Showcase as a single product. You may not separate its components for use on more than one computer.

All graphics, photographs, animations, documentation, custom controls, dynamic link libraries, and any other Showcase components are the intellectual property of CQuick Technologies or its suppliers. You may not incorporate or use these components for any purpose outside of its intended functionality within Showcase.

You may not sell, redistribute, reassign, sublicense, rent, lease, or lend Showcase or any of its components. However, you may permanently transfer all of your rights under this contract to another individual. When doing so, you must discontinue using Showcase, retain no copies, and transfer all components of Showcase. In addition, the recipient must agree to the terms of this contract.

You may create a single duplicate of Showcase for the sole purpose of maintaining a backup copy.

Without prejudice to any other rights, CQuick Technologies may nullify this contract if you fail to comply with its terms and conditions. In such an event, you abdicate the right to use Showcase on any computer for any purpose.

3. Miscellaneous

If you acquired this product in the United States, the laws of the State of Washington will govern this contract. If you acquired this product outside the United States, then local law may apply.

4. No Warranties

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, CQuick Technologies and its suppliers disclaim all other warranties and conditions, either express or implied. This disclaimer may include, but is not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title and non-infringement with regard to Showcase, and the provision of or failure to provide support services. Furthermore, CQuick Technologies and its suppliers do not and cannot warrant the performance or results you may obtain by using Showcase.

5. Limitation of Liability

In no event shall CQuick Technologies or its suppliers be liable for any special, incidental, indirect, or consequential damages of any type (including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use Showcase or the provision of or failure to provide support services, even if CQuick Technologies has been advised of the possibility of such damages. In any case, CQuick Technologies' entire liability under any provision of this agreement shall be limited to the amount you paid to use Showcase. Some states or jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties or limitations on how long an implied warranty may last, so the above limitations may not apply to you. To the extent permissible, any implied warranties are limited to ninety (90) days. This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have other rights which vary from state to state or jurisdiction to jurisdiction.


Closes this dialog box and saves all the changes you have made.


Closes this dialog box without saving any of the changes you have made.


Click here to print your document.


Topic is Not Available

Please refer to the table of contents.


Installed Files

The Showcase installation program installs files in four locations on your machine.  The following files are copied to your application directory:

Showcase.Exe

Showcase.Fts

Showcase.Gid

Showcase.Hlp

Showcase.Cnt

Scwrap.Ocx

Sctools.Dll

Sclist.Ocx

Scscrll.Ocx

The following files are copied to your application Wallpaper directory:

Picture Delivery.Bmp

Color Brown.Bmp

Color Dark Blue.Bmp

Color Fluorescent Green.Bmp

Color Green.Bmp

Color Light Peach.Bmp

Color Maroon.Bmp

Color Night.Bmp

Color Peach.Bmp

Color Purple.Bmp

Color Sky Blue.Bmp

Color Yellow.Bmp

Pattern Blue.Bmp

Pattern Gold.Bmp

Pattern Gray.Bmp

Pattern Light Purple.Bmp

Pattern Light Blue.Bmp

Pattern Light Gray.Bmp

Color Blue Green.Bmp

Picture Showcase.Bmp

Speckled Gray.Bmp

Speckled White.Bmp

The following files are copied to your Windows system directory:

Stdole2.Tlb

Msvbvm50.Dll

Oleaut32.Dll

Olepro32.Dll

Comctl32.Ocx

Comcat.Dll

Asycfilt.Dll

Msjet35.Dll

Msjint35.Dll

Msjter35.Dll

Msrd2x35.Dll

Vbajet32.Dll

Vbar332.Dll

Msvcrt40.Dll

Mfc42.Dll

Msvcrt.Dll

Npplg80n.Dll

Awdcxc32.Dll

Awdenc32.Dll

Awview32.Dll

Lfavi80n.Dll

Lfawd80n.Dll

Lfbmp80n.Dll

Lfcal80n.Dll

Lfcmp80n.Dll

Lfeps80n.Dll

Lffax80n.Dll

Lffpx7.Dll

Lffpx80n.Dll

Lfgif80n.Dll

Lfica80n.Dll

Lfimg80n.Dll

Lfkodak.Dll

Lflma80n.Dll

Lflmb80n.Dll

Lfmac80n.Dll

Lfmsp80n.Dll

Lfpcd80n.Dll

Lfpct80n.Dll

Lfpcx80n.Dll

Lfpng80n.Dll

Lfpsd80n.Dll

Lfras80n.Dll

Lftga80n.Dll

Lftif80n.Dll

Lfwfx80n.Dll

Lfwmf80n.Dll

Lfwpg80n.Dll

Ltann80n.Dll

Ltefx80n.Dll

Ltfil80n.Dll

Ltimg80n.Dll

Ltkrn80n.Dll

Ltocx80n.Ocx

Lttwn80n.Dll

Awcodc32.Dll

Pcdlib32.Dll

The following file is copied to your Common Files\Microsoft Shared\DAO directory:

Dao350.Dll


Printing Overview

Using a combination of menu commands, you can customize, preview, and submit a print job to any printer installed on your system.

Printing In Normal View

When printing in Normal View, Showcase will submit the contents of the entire page for printing. This will include all image and text objects as currently displayed including the background wallpaper if any.

Should the current page dimensions exceed the printer’s paper size, Showcase will print as much of the page as possible and clip the remainder.

Printing In Gallery View

When printing in Gallery View, Showcase will print one thumbnail image for each record in the specified print range as determined by the Print dialog box.

The size of the printed thumbnail is determined by the thumbnail size setting in Gallery View. In addition to the thumbnail image, Showcase will also print a caption below the image if the Gallery View’s caption property is set to any text-based object. You can control the printed thumbnail size, image key, caption key, and caption font using the Gallery tab of the Options dialog box.

Showcase will attempt to fit as many thumbnails as possible on a single sheet of paper. The best way to identify how many thumbnails will print on a single sheet is to preview the printout using the File | Print Preview menu command.

Printing Options

You can control orientation, scaling, page size, margins, headers, and footers using the Page Setup dialog box. See Setting the Page Layout For Printing , Setting Margins For Printing, and Adding a Header/Footer to the Printout for more information.

With the Print Preview feature, you can see exactly what the output will look like when printed to the current printer.

Using the Print dialog box, you can: determine the range of records to output; tell Showcase how many copies to print; set the output to collate; select a printer from the list of available printers; and initiate printing.


Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts provide easy access to some of the most commonly used functions in Showcase. Although most of the access keys comply with standard Windows® shortcut keys, some are specific to Showcase.

General

Ctrl + N	Shortcut for the File I New menu command.

Ctrl + O	Shortcut for the File I Open menu command.

Ctrl + P	Shortcut for the File I Print menu command.

Ctrl + S	Shortcut for the File I Save menu command.

Ctrl + X	Shortcut for the Edit I Cut menu command.

Ctrl + C	Shortcut for the Edit I Copy menu command.

Ctrl + V	Shortcut for the Edit I Paste menu command.

Ctrl + F1	Shortcut for the View I Normal menu command.

Ctrl + F2	Shortcut for the View I Split menu command.

Ctrl + F3	Shortcut for the View I Gallery menu command.

Ctrl + Q	Shortcut for the Record I Run Simple Query menu command.

Normal View

Ctrl + A	Shortcut for the Edit I Select All menu command.

Ctrl + Home	Shortcut for the Record I First menu command.

Ctrl + End	Shortcut for the Record I Last menu command.

Alt + Right Arrow	Shortcut for the Record I Next menu command.

Alt + Left Arrow	Shortcut for the Record I Back menu command.

Right Arrow	Scrolls the page to the right. Same as pressing the right arrow button of the horizontal scroll bar.

Left Arrow	Scrolls the page to the left. Same as pressing the left arrow button of the horizontal scroll bar.

Shift + Right Arrow	Shifts the page to the right. Same as pressing the region of the horizontal scroll bar that is on the right side of the scroll button.

Shift + Left Arrow	Shifts the page to the left. Same as pressing the region of the horizontal scroll bar that is on the left side of the scroll button.

Down Arrow	Scrolls the page down. Same as pressing the down arrow button of the vertical scroll bar.

Up Arrow	Scrolls the page up. Same as pressing the up arrow button of the vertical scroll bar.

Page Up	Shifts the page up. Same as pressing the region of the vertical scroll bar that is above the scroll button.

Page Down	Shifts the page down. Same as pressing the region of the vertical scroll bar that is below the scroll button.

Tab	Moves the selection between objects starting with the object positioned at the top left of the page.

Gallery View

Left Arrow	Shortcut for the Record I Back menu command.

Right Arrow	Shortcut for the Record I Next menu command.

Up Arrow	Moves the current record to the record number represented by the thumbnail above the current thumbnail.

Down Arrow	Moves the current record to the record number represented by the thumbnail below the current thumbnail.

Page Up	Display to the previous page of thumbnails.

Page Down	Display to the next page of thumbnails.


Wallpaper for Effect

You can add wallpaper by tiling a picture across the entire surface of the background in Normal, Split, and Gallery views. Applying wallpaper to a Showcase page can enhance the visual presentation of your images.

Notes

 See Changing Wallpaper to apply a different wallpaper image.

 You can use Windows bitmap (.bmp), enhanced metafiles (.emf), JPEG (.jpg), and Windows metafiles (.wmf) image files as wallpaper.


File Reference

A file reference is an address to a file’s location.  A file reference typically looks like c:\windows\myfile.jpg.


Selection Band

An elastic, dotted, rectangular box used for selecting objects. You can create this by clicking and dragging on any portion of the page in Normal view. The band will resize in accordance with the position of the mouse pointer. If the mouse pointer moves beyond the viewable portions of the page, Showcase will attempt to scroll the page in the direction of the mouse pointer.


Selection Box

A group of eight small, square shapes, which surround an object.  The selection box indicates that the object is selected.  If the object’s Moveable property is enabled, you can click and drag any of the square shapes to resize the object.  Clicking on the top left square allows you to drag the object to another position.


Read Only (Object Property)

When this property is set to true, Showcase prevents you from editing the contents of this object. You can change this property using the Properties dialog box.


Moveable (Object property)

When this property is set to true, Showcase locks an object’s size and position so that you cannot move or resize it. You can change this property using the Properties dialog box.


Valid Object Names

When renaming an object using the Properties dialog box or the Add Object dialog box, the new name must conform to the following guidelines:

•	Can be up to 44 characters long.

•	Can include any combination of letters, numbers, spaces, and special characters except a period (.), an exclamation point (!), an accent grave (`), and brackets ([ ]).

•	Cannot begin with leading spaces.

•	Cannot include control characters (ASCII values 0 through 31).

•	The name must not be in use by another object.

•	In addition to these guidelines, Showcase reserves the words “XP38ID”, “XP38Order”, and “(None)”.


Record Selection Window
Record Position Window

The Record Position window, positioned between the Back and Next buttons on both the toolbar and Navigation Toolbox, shows the current record position. To jump to a new record, you can enter a new record number directly or choose from the list of available record positions in the drop-down window.


Photo Key

The Photo Key identifies the Photo or BinPhoto object which Showcase uses as the image source when displaying thumbnails in Gallery view.


Edit Window

The edit window allows you to change the contents of any text-based object. Whenever you click on a selected text-based object, Showcase will display a blinking caret allowing you to edit the contents of the object.

If the object’s Read Only property is set to true, you will not be able to edit the contents of this window. Showcase will only allow you to highlight the text, or portions of it, in order perform a copy operation.


Thumbnail Caching

Caching thumbnail images displayed in Gallery view speeds up Showcase.

Showcase will attempt to save each thumbnail image it creates as a compressed image file in the application’s Cache directory. Since small compressed files are faster to load than large image files that require loading, resizing, and resampling, Showcase is able to display thumbnails that exist in cache very quickly.

When you create a new file, Showcase will automatically build a thumbnail cache for each image found by the Autoscan process. The thumbnails it creates will utilize the current size setting for the thumbnails. You can edit this property using the Gallery tab of the Options dialog box.

At any time, you can force Showcase to generate cached files of thumbnail images using the File | Build Thumbnail Cache menu command. Showcase will traverse the entire database and create cache files for each image found under the object assigned as the Photo Key for the gallery view.

Showcase will not re-create a thumbnail file for an image if a corresponding cache file already exists. Showcase checks the file name, the last modified date of the file, and the thumbnail size to determine if a new cache file is needed.

Showcase caching applies to images that are both referenced and imported.

To erase all cached files, use Windows® Explorer to delete all files from the application’s “…\Cache” directory.


Pop-Up Menus

Pop-up menus are windows that hold a set of context-specific menu commands and appear whenever you click the right (or secondary) mouse button over any object, thumbnail, or page.

While most of the menu commands on the pop-up menu duplicate the commands found on the application menu, the Delete File and Rename File menu commands for Photo and Graphic objects are unique to the pop-up menu.


Undo Actions

Showcase maintains a history of your editing and formatting actions so that you can perform multiple undoes. You can undo object formatting, sizing, positioning, or editing actions.

To undo your last action, use the Edit | Undo menu command.


Menu Commands

File Menu Commands

Edit Menu Commands

View Menu Commands

Object Menu Commands

Record Menu Commands

Query Menu Commands

Window Menu Commands

Help Menu Commands


File Menu Commands

New

Creates a new database file and opens the Autoscan dialog box which automates the process of building the database.

Open

Opens the File Open dialog box, which allows you to open an existing Showcase database.

Close

Closes the current database.

Close All

Closes all open databases.

Save

Saves the current database.

Save As

Opens the Save As dialog box, which allows you to save the database under another name.

Page Setup

Opens the Page Setup dialog box, which allows you to control how the printed page should look.

Print Preview

Opens the Preview window, which displays the page as it would look when printed.

Print

Opens the Print dialog box, which allows you to print the records in the database.

Build Thumbnail Cache

Creates thumbnails of all images contained within the object designated as the Photo Key. See Thumbnail Caching for more details.

History

Lists the names of up to four of the most recently opened files.

Exit

Quits the application.


Edit Menu Commands

Undo

Cancels the last editing or formatting action.

Cut

Removes the selected text or picture and copies it to the Windows Clipboard.

Copy

Sends a copy of the selected text or image to the Windows Clipboard.

Paste

Pastes the contents of the Windows Clipboard to the selected text or image.

Clear

Deletes the selected text or picture.

Select All

Selects all objects in Normal view.

Add Object

Opens the Insert Object dialog box, which allows you to add multiple objects to the database.

Remove Object

Removes the currently selected object or objects.


View Menu Commands

Normal

Displays image and text as objects integrated within a sizable page.

Split

Displays both Normal and Gallery view simultaneously.

Gallery

Displays thumbnail images of multiple records from any single Photo or BinPhoto object.

Slide Show

Displays the images from the objects designated as the Photo Key in a full screen, slide show format.

Toolbar

Opens a list of toolbar-specific sub menus.

Toolbar Visible

Displays the toolbar.

Toolbar Text Labels

Identifies each toolbar button with a text label in addition to the icon on the button.

Toolbar Dock Top

Positions the toolbar at the top side of the application window.

Toolbar Dock Left

Positions the toolbar at the left side of the application window.

Toolbar Dock Right

Positions the toolbar at the right side of the application window.

Status Bar

Displays the status bar.

Alignment Toolbox

Opens the Alignment Toolbox, which provides a simply way to align, center, or space multiple objects.

Object Toolbox

Opens the Object Toolbox, which provides a simple way to insert new objects.

Navigation Toolbox

Opens the Navigation Toolbox, which provides record navigational control.

Refresh

Repaints the application window.

Options

Opens the Options dialog box, which allows you to manipulate Wallpaper , Gallery View, and Slideshow settings.


Object Menu Commands

Data Format

Opens the Data Format dialog box, which allows you to apply formatting to any text-based object.

Alignment

Opens the Alignment dialog box, which allows you to change text justification or image alignment in the horizontal and vertical directions for selected objects.

Font

Opens the Font dialog box, which allows you to change the font for selected text-based objects.

Metrics

Opens the Metrics dialog box, which allows you to change the position and dimension of selected objects in Normal view.

Bring To Front

Moves the selected object in front of all other objects.

Send To Back

Moves the selected object behind all other objects.

Reference

Opens the Change File Reference dialog box, which allows you to change the image file reference for any selected Photo or Graphic object.

Import

Opens the Import Image File dialog box, which allows you to change the image file reference for any selected Photo or Graphic object.

Properties

Opens the Object Properties dialog box, which displays a summary of all objects and their current settings.


Record Menu Commands

Add

Creates a new record, appends it to the end of the database, and sets it as the current record.

Autoscan

Opens the Autoscan dialog box which allows you to search directories and folders for image files not referenced by the database. Use this option to re-scan a folder for new image files.

Delete

Opens the Delete Record dialog box, which allows you to delete the current record, a range of records, or all of the records.

Find

Opens the Find Record dialog box, which allows you to jump to the next or previous record containing data which match a specified criteria.

Sort

Opens the Sort dialog box, which allows you to sort the database records in ascending or descending order.

Go To First

Moves to the first record in the database.

Go To Previous

Moves to the previous record in the database.

Go To Next

Moves to the next record in the database.

Go To Last

Moves to the last record in the database.


Query Menu Commands

Edit

Opens the Edit Query dialog box, which allows you to edit the syntax of the current query.

Run

Opens the Query dialog box, which allows you to retrieve records, based on precise search criteria. If the database contains records that meet your search criteria, Showcase will limit the set of visible records to show only those records. The other records in the database are not lost as you can make them visible again by selecting the Show All menu command.

Run Simple

Opens the Simple Query dialog box, which allows you to retrieve records matching up to three keywords. If the database contains records that meet your search criteria, Showcase will limit the set of visible records to show only those records. The other records in the database are not lost as you can make them visible again by selecting the Show All menu command.

Add To List

Allows you to save the current query by adding it to the Query List.

Organize List

Opens the Organize Query List dialog box, which lets you edit, delete, or rename the queries in the Query List.

Show All

Makes all the records in the database accessible.

Show Query Results

Executes the current query.

Query History

Lists up to four of the most recently used queries.

More Queries

Opens the Query List dialog box, which allows you to run any query in the Query List.


Window Menu Commands

Tile Horizontally

Horizontally tiles all open windows.

Tile Vertically

Vertically tiles all open windows.

Cascade

Cascades all open windows.

Arrange Icons

Arranges all minimized windows along the bottom of the application window.

Window List

Displays a listing of all open.


Help Menu Commands

Showcase Help

Displays the Help table of contents.

Search

Opens the Help Search dialog box, which allows you to search the Help documentation by key words.

Customer Support

Displays information on where to send questions, comments, or inquiries about Showcase.

About Showcase

Opens the About dialog box, listing copyright and version information.


Showcase Objects

Showcase objects are containers that hold a specific type of image or text information.  Showcase supports ten types of database and three types of non-database objects.

The contents of database objects change as you move from record to record. The contents of non-database objects remain unchanged across all records.

Database objects display information stored in the current database record at the object’s corresponding database field.  Non-database objects display information stored outside the database.

You can use non-database objects to create page titles, add labels for database objects, or display decorative graphics such as your corporate logo.

Additionally, each object maintains a set of properties that you can manipulate to customize its appearance and behavior.

See the following topics to learn more about Showcase objects:

Description of Object Types

Object Properties

Creating and Deleting Objects

Selecting Objects

Renaming the Object

Hiding Objects

Changing an Object’s Size and Position

Locking the Object’s Position

Managing Overlapping Objects

The following subjects describe the data editing options associated with Showcase objects:

Editing the Object’s Contents

Changing Data Alignment

Changing the Font

Protecting the Object’s Data

Formatting Data


Description of Object Types

Showcase supports thirteen types of objects. Four of these objects support images and nine objects support text or numbers of various types. Since the Label, BinGraphic, and Graphic are non-database objects, the contents of these objects are unaffected by record movement.

The following segment describes each Showcase object. Using each object to hold the appropriate type of information will enhance the accuracy of data management activities such as sorting and querying.

BinGraphic

This non-database object displays an image. The database field for this object stores the actual image data. Use the Object | Import menu command to update the image data. This value will not change from record to record.

BinPhoto

This database object displays an image. The database field for this object stores the actual image data. Use the Object | Import menu command to update the image data.

Boolean

This database object displays true or false values. A 0 equals false while anything besides 0 translates to true.

Currency

This database object displays monetary values ranging from -922,337,203,685,477.5807 to 922,337,203,685,477.5807.

Date

This database object displays dates and supports any date from January 1, 100 to December 31, 9999.

Graphic

This non-database object displays an image. The database field for this object stores a reference to the image, the image file name. Use the Object | Reference menu command to update this image file reference. This value will not change from record to record.

Label

This non-database object displays text and supports any combination of characters. This value will not change from record to record.

Memo

This database object displays up to 32,000 characters of text.

Number

This database object displays a number ranging from -3.40E38 to -1.40E-45 for negative values, and from 1.40E-45 to 3.40E38 for positive values.

Percentage

This database object displays percentage values ranging from -3.402823e38 to -1.401298e-45 for negative values, and from 3.402823e38 to 1.401298e-45 for positive values.

Photo

This database object displays an image. The database field for this object stores a reference to the image, the image file name. Use the Object | Reference menu command to update the image file reference.

Text

This database object displays text in any combination of 0 to 255 characters.

Time

This database object displays time and supports any time from 00:00:01 AM to 12:00:00 PM.


Photo Object

This database object displays an image based on the file name contained in its corresponding database field in the current record. Use the Object | Reference menu command to update this image file reference.


Text Object

This database object displays text in any combination of 0 to 255 characters.


BinPhoto Object

This database object displays the binary image contained in its corresponding database field in the current record. Use the Object | Import menu command to update this image.


BinGraphic Object

This database object displays the binary image contained in its corresponding database field in the current record. Use the Object | Import menu command to update this image.


Number Object

This database object displays a number ranging from -3.40E38 to -1.40E-45 for negative values, and from 1.40E-45 to 3.40E38 for positive values.


Currency Object

This database object displays monetary values ranging from -922,337,203,685,477.5808 to 922,337,203,685,477.5807.


Date Object

This database object displays dates and supports any date from January 1, 100 to December 31, 9999.


Time Object

This database object displays time and supports any time from 00:00:01 AM to 12:00:00 PM.


Percentage Object

This database object displays percentage values ranging from -3.40E38 to -1.40E-45 for negative values, and from 1.40E-45 to 3.40E38 for positive values. Entries will be multiplied by 100.


Boolean Object

This database object displays true or false values. Entering 0 equals false while -1 translates to true.


Label Object

This non-database object displays text and supports any combination of characters. This value will not change from record to record.


Memo Object

This database object displays up to 32,000 characters of text.


Graphic Object

This non-database object displays the image from a filename it maintains as a property. Use the Object | Reference menu command to update this image file reference. This value will not change from record to record.


Text-Based Objects

In Showcase, text-based objects are objects that do not hold binary (picture) data.  These objects hold alphanumeric data.  The text-based objects in Showcase are Text, Number, Currency, Date, Time, Percentage, Boolean, Label, and Memo.


Creating & Deleting Objects

You can add objects of any available type by using either the Add Object dialog box or the Object Toolbox. You can insert objects, which support numbers, such as the Number Object, or those that support text such as the Text Object. See Description of Object Types for more information. Showcase will automatically create a corresponding database field for objects that require a database field for information storage.

Adding Multiple Objects

The Add Object dialog box provides a convenient way to insert multiple objects of various types. The dialog box also allows you to edit the name of each new object. Showcase will automatically arrange these objects on the left side of the page in Normal View. You should subsequently position and size these objects as you see fit.  See Formatting Objects for details.

To add multiple objects:

1.	Click on the Edit menu and then select Add Object.

2.	Select an object from the Available Types list box.

3.	Click on the Add button.

4.	Click on the Rename button and change the name. Click here for the rules on naming an object.  This step is optional.

5. 	Click on the OK button.

Adding Single Objects

The Object Toolbox allows you to select a specific object type that you can drop onto the page.

To add a single object:

1.	Click on the View menu and then select Object Toolbox.

2.	Press the button corresponding to the type of object you wish to add.

3.	Create the object on the page with a mouse click, drag and release.

You can subsequently rename the object by selecting it and opening the Object Properties dialog box.

Deleting Objects

To delete an object, select it and choose the Edit | Remove Object menu command. Showcase will automatically remove the corresponding database field if the object required a database field for information storage.


Object Properties

You can change the behavior of each object by modifying the object properties using the Object Properties dialog box. The four properties you can set are:

Visible	When set, Showcase will show the object in Normal view.

Moveable	When set, you can size and move the object to any location on the page in Normal view.

Selected	When set, Showcase wraps the object with a selection box. Once selected, that object becomes the subject of any subsequent actions such as sizing, changing font, cut, copy, and paste, etc.

Read Only	When set, you cannot edit the data contained within the object.


Selecting Objects

To designate an object for changes, you must select the object. Showcase will identify selected objects by wrapping the object within a selection box.

•	There are three ways to select an object

•	Click on that object using the mouse.

•	Create a selection band that covers or touches the object or objects you wish to select.

•	Press the TAB key to move the selection from object to object.

For greater control in selecting multiple objects, hold down the Shift or Ctrl key while mouse clicking on individual objects.  Clicking on a selected object will deselect that object.

To create a selection band extending beyond the visible portion of the page, click an area of the page and drag the mouse towards the desired hidden region of the page. Showcase will automatically scroll the page towards the desired region. To stop the automatic scrolling, release the mouse button.

To clear the selection of an object or group of objects, click anywhere on the page.


Editing the Object's Contents
Editing the Object’s Contents

Editing Text Based Objects

You can edit the contents of a selected text-based object by clicking on an unselected object twice, or clicking once on a selected object. This action will open the object’s Edit Window.  The Edit Window accepts keyboard and mouse inputs and displays a blinking caret giving you the opportunity to edit the object’s content. You can edit data within an object whose Read Only property is disabled. The Edit Window supports Cut, Copy, Paste, and Delete operations and can support multiple line entries.

Showcase will verify the data type of your entry before saving it to the database.  If the entry does not match the object’s data type, Showcase will not accept the entry and prompt you with a warning message.  For instance, you cannot enter a-z characters inside a Number object.  See Description of Object Types to learn more about the data types of various Showcase objects.

Tips For Working With the Edit Window

•	The Edit Window will accept standard cut, copy, and paste commands.  To document multiple records with a certain keyword or numeric value, copy the data to the clipboard so that you can repeatedly paste it to the appropriate record.

•	After editing the contents of an object, you can shift the Edit Window to the next object by pressing the TAB key.

•	After editing the contents of an object, you can move to the next record using keyboard commands in order to edit the data for the next record.  To jump to the next record, hold down the Alt key and press the Right Arrow key. To jump to the previous record, hold down the Alt key and press the Left Arrow key.  See the topic Keyboard Shortcuts for a complete listing of all keyboard commands.

•	If you need to increase the size of the Edit Window, you must increase the size of the corresponding object.  Find out how to resize objects in the subject: Changing the Object’s Size and Position.

Editing Image Objects

In order to edit the Photo or Graphic objects, you must first select the object, then use the Object | Reference menu command that allows you to change the current reference to another image file. This menu command also appears on the pop-up menu for this object.

In order to edit the BinPhoto, or BinGraphic, you must first select the object, then use the Object | Import menu command. This allows you to import to another image overwriting the existing image. This menu command also appears on the pop-up menu for this object.


Formatting Objects

You can format an object in the following ways:

•	Apply data masking to the object’s content.

•	Change the alignment of the object’s content.

•	Hide the object.

•	Change the object’s font.


Changing the Object's Font
Changing the Font

To change the font properties of selected objects:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Font.

2.	Change the font typeface using the Font list box.

3.	Change the font style using the Font Style list box.

4.	Change the font size using the Size list box.

5.	For a strikeout effect check Strikeout.

6.	For an underline effect check Underline.

7.	Change the font color using the Color combo box.

8.	Click the OK button.

Notes

 Currently, the script font property is not supported.


Hiding Objects

You can hide any object from view.  To hide objects:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Properties.

2.	Highlight the objects you wish to hide.  To select multiple objects, keep the Ctrl key pressed as you click on each object.

3.	Uncheck the Visible box under the Properties group.

4.	Click on the OK button.


Locking the Object's Size and Position
Locking the Object’s Size and Position

You can lock an object’s size and position so that it cannot be altered.  To lock an object’s size or position:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Properties.

2.	Highlight the objects you wish to affect.  To select multiple objects, keep the Ctrl key pressed as you click on each object.

3.	Uncheck the Moveable box under the Properties group.

4.	Click on the OK button.


Protecting the Object's Data
Protecting the Object’s Data

You can prevent the user from editing the contents of an object:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Properties.

2.	Highlight the objects you wish to affect.  To select multiple objects, keep the Ctrl key pressed as you click on each object.

3.	Check the Read Only box under the Properties group.

4.	Click on the OK button.


Renaming Objects
Renaming the Object

You can rename any object to something more meaningful.  To rename the object:

1.	Click on the Object menu and the select Properties.

2.	Select the object you wish to rename.

3.	Press the Rename button.

4.	Edit the object name.

5.	Press the OK button.

Notes

 Valid Object Names


Welcome to Showcase

This version of Showcase is a full featured 30 day evaluation version of Showcase. To start Showcase, click on the OK button.

  For sales inquiries on Showcase contact CQuick Technologies at sales@cquick.com.

  For questions or comments on Showcase contact CQuick Technologies at support@cquick.com.

  For news and product information visit our web site at www.cquick.com.

Thank you for you interest in Showcase.

Copyright © 1999 CQuick Technologies. All rights reserved.


Opening a Database

Retrieve your work at a moments notice. To open a database:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select Open.

2.	Navigate to the folder where the database is located.

3.	Select the database or enter the file name in the File Name edit box.

4.	To safeguard the database from editing changes, check the box labeled Open as read-only.

5.	Click on the Open button.

Notes

 When you open a read-only database or load the database with a read-only setting, you cannot save changes you make to that particular database.  However, you may save changes under a new database name using the File | Save As menu command.

 The file must exist for this operation to succeed.


Saving the Database

Save your work when you are done. To save a new database:

1.	Click on the File menu and select Save.

2.	Enter the name for your database in the File Name edit box.

3.	Click on the Save button.

To save your database under another file name:

1.	Click on the File menu and select Save As.

2.	Enter the name for your database in the File Name edit box.

3.	Click on the Save button.

 To create a database that is independent of the image file’s location within the host system, see the topic Creating the Portable Database.


Creating the Portable Database

Do you want create a database that you can send to or share with other Showcase users?

To create a portable database:

1.	Click on the File menu and select Save As.

2.	Enter the name for your database in the File Name edit box.

3.	Select Showcase Portable File in the Save as type combo box.

4.	Click on the Save button.

When saving the database with the Showcase Portable File setting, Showcase performs an additional step before saving the database.  Before saving the database, Showcase will search for and eliminate the database’s dependencies on file references.

To remove dependencies, Showcase will:

•	Replace any Photo objects with a BinPhoto object and import all image files referenced by the Photo object.

•	Replace any Graphic objects with a BinGraphic object and import the image file referenced by the Graphic object.

•	Import the wallpaper image if any.

Notes

 To successfully create a portable database, you must have adequate free space on your storage device since the database size will increase while importing the referenced images.


Setting the Page Layout For Printing

Change the layout of your printed document to fit your needs.

To change the orientation:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select Page Setup.

2.	Select Portrait to orient your document vertically.

3.	Select Landscape to orient your document horizontally.

4.	Click on the OK button.

To change the size of the page as seen in Normal View:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select Page Setup.

2.	Enter the new width of your document in the Width edit box.

3.	Enter the new height of your document in the Height edit box.

4.	Click on the OK button.

To scale your printout:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select Page Setup.

2.	Select Fit To Page to scale your document to your printer page size.

3.	Select Adjust To to scale your document.  A value of greater than 100 enlarges, while a value less than 100 shrinks.

4.	Click on the OK button.


Setting Margins For Printing

Change the margins of your printed document. To do this:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select Page Setup.

2.	Switch to the Margins dialog page.

3.	Change the left, top, right, or bottom margins by editing the value in the Left, Top, Right or Bottom edit boxes, respectively.

4.	Change the header or footer margins by editing the value in the Header or Footer edit boxes, respectively.

5.	Click on the OK button.


Adding a Header/Footer to the Printout

Add a header or footer comment to your printed document. To do this:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select Page Setup.

2.	Switch to the Header/Footer dialog page.

3.	Select the header region (left, center, or right) in the Header Region combo box.

4.	Enter a comment in the Header Content edit box. Your document can have a left, center, and right header comment at the same time.

5.	Select the footer region (left, center, or right) in the Footer Region combo box.

6.	Enter a comment in the Footer Content edit box. Your document can have a left, center, and right footer comment at the same time.

7.	Click on the OK button.


File Preview


Previewing Your Printout

Preview the printout to ensure it will appear exactly as you want it. To preview:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select Print Preview.

2.	Click on the First, Previous, Next, and Last buttons to navigate through your database.

3.	Click on the Print button to initiate printing.

4.	Click on the Close button to close the window.


Query Summary

Overview

Queries allow you to view the database records that meet a certain criterion.  Showcase lets you create, edit, save, and run queries.  Additionally, you can build complex queries that contain multiple conditions.

Building and Running Queries

Showcase provides three options that allow you to generate and run a query.

Use the Query | Run Query menu command to run precise queries where you specify a search text, determine the search location, and choose an evaluation method.  Additionally, this option allows you to create complex queries with multiple expressions.

Querying for Records

The second method is the Query | Run Simple Query menu command that executes a broad search across all database objects for records that contain matching key words or values.

Running a SimpleQuery

You can also use the Query | Edit menu command to modify the current query and re-execute the query.

Editing a Query

Managing Queries

Showcase lets you create and manage a list of up to 200 queries per database. The following topics describe how you can perform actions that support this feature.

Saving A Query

Running Saved Queries

Editing Saved Queries

Deleting Saved Queries

Renaming Saved Queries


Querying for Records

You can generate queries using the Run Query dialog box.

Query for records in your database that satisfy a particular condition. To do this:

1.	Click on the Query menu and then select Run Query.

2.	Enter the characters to search for in the Find What field.

3.	Determine the object to search against with the In field. This entry can include any combination of wildcard characters, character lists, and character ranges. Click here see examples.

4.	Select the method of comparison used during the search with the Match If field.

5.	If you wish to direct Showcase to ignore records where the text in the Find What option is partially or completely embedded in a larger word, check the Find Whole Word Only box.

6.	If you would like to add this criteria to the current query, check the Append To Current Query box.

7.	If you checked the Append To Current Query box, select Combine Using ‘AND’ if you wish to add another constraint to the current query parameters.  This will reduce the number of records the query might return.  Select Combine Using ‘OR’ if you wish to expand the query parameters in an attempt to gather more records.

8.	Click on the Run button to execute the query.

Notes

 Run Query Examples.

 Showcase queries are not case sensitive.

 You can look at the record count indicator on the lower right portion of the status bar to see how many records the query has returned.

 To exit the query and view all records in the database, select the Record | Show All menu command.


Query Examples
Run Query Examples

The following are sample entries for the Run Query dialog box.  The listed entries are for the Find What, In, and Match If fields in that order. These examples assume that you have the Find Whole Word Only checkbox set.

To retrieve records that contain the word “John” within a custom object called “Text1”:

*John*

Text1

=

To retrieve records that have a file path starting with the string “c:\”:

c:\*

Main Photo

=

To retrieve records that have a file name ending with the string “jpg”:

*jpg

File Name

=

To retrieve records that have a file name starting with the letters “A”, “B”, or “C”:

[A-C]*

File Name

=

To retrieve records that have a file name not starting with the letters “A”, “B”, or “C”:

[!A-C]*

File Name

=

To retrieve records that have a file name not ending with the letters “A” or “C”:

*[!A,C]

File Name

=

To retrieve records that have a file name containing the letters “A”, “B”, or “C”:

*[A-C]*

File Name

=

To retrieve records that have a file name beginning with the letters “A” or “C” and ending with the letter “G”:

[A,C]*G

File Name

=

To retrieve records that have a file name beginning with the character sequence “A”, followed by any character, followed by “C”:

A?C*

File Name

=

To retrieve records that have a file name ending with the character sequence “A”, followed by any three characters, followed by “G”:

*A???G

File Name

=

To retrieve records that have a file name beginning with a numeric character:

#*

File Name

=

To retrieve records that have a file size equal to 100:

100

File Size

=

To retrieve records that have a file size less than 100:

100

File Size

<

To retrieve records that have bits per pixel greater than 1:

1

Bits

>

To retrieve records that have bits per pixel less than or equal to  8:

8

Bits

<=

To retrieve records that have bits per pixel not equal to 8:

8

Bits

<>

Notes

 Showcase recognizes wildcard characters, character lists, and character ranges in any combination, if In is set to an object of type text and Match If is set to = or <>.

 Showcase queries are not case sensitive.

 When entering values inside the search brackets, adding extraneous spaces will produce a search error.  For instance, the following Find What value, “[A, C]*G” is erroneous because of the space between the comma and the letter C, and should be rewritten as “[A,C]*G”.


Query String Wildcards
Search String Wildcards

A search string can include the wildcard characters “*”, “?”, and “#”. The meaning of each character is as follows:

*	match zero or more characters

#	match any single digit, 0 through 9

?	match any single character

Example 1

Use the * wildcard symbol to retrieve records where the object “File Name” holds entries that begin with the letters “pic”.

[File Name] Like "pic*"

Example 2

Use the # wildcard symbol to retrieve records where the object “File Name” holds entries that begin with the letters “pic” followed by any four digits.

[File Name] Like "pic####"

Example 3

Use the ? wildcard symbol to retrieve records where the object “File Name” holds entries that begin with the letters “pi”, followed by any single character, followed by “0001”.

[File Name] Like "pi?0001"


Query String Character Lists
Search String Character Lists

A search string can include a character list.  A character list is a series of comma separated letters. The character list is of the form: [charlist] or [!charlist].  The meaning of the character list is as follows:

[charlist]	match any single character in the list

[!charlist]	match any single character not in the list

Example 1

Use the character list to retrieve records where the object “File Name” holds entries pic0002, pic0004, and pic0006:

[File Name] Like "pic000[2,4,6]"

Example 2

Use the character list to retrieve records where the object “File Name” does not hold entries pic0002, pic0004, and pic0006:

[File Name] Like "pic000[!2,4,6]"

Notes

 The set of comma separated letters should not include spaces.


Query String Character Ranges
Search String Character Ranges

A search string can include a character range. The character range is of the form: [char1-char2] or [!char1-char2]. The meaning of the character range is a follows:

[char1-char2]	match any single character within the range of characters, char1 through char2

[!char1-char2]	match any single character not within the range of characters, char1 through char2

Example 1

Use the character ranges to retrieve records where the object “File Name” holds entries pic0002 through pic0004:

[File Name] Like "pic000[2-4]"

Example 2

Use the character ranges to retrieve records where the object “File Name” does not hold entries pic0002 through pic0004:

[File Name] Like "pic000[!2-4]"

Notes

 The set of comma separated letters should not include spaces.


What is Querying?
What are Queries?

A query is an expression used to retrieve a record.  It may look like this:

[File Name] = “Hero.bmp”

By running a query, you can view the database records that comply with the specifications defined by the query’s expression.

A more complex query might look like this:

([File Size] > 100 AND [File Size] < 200) OR Bits = 24

While the above expression contains two operators (one AND and one OR), Showcase queries can support up to 40 operators for extremely complex queries.


Running a Simple Query

You can generate queries using the Simple Query dialog box if you want to search every available database object for matching values.

Run a simple query to retrieve records in your document that satisfy a particular condition. To do this:

1.	Click on the Records menu and then select Run Simple Query.

2.	Enter the characters to search for in the three Keyword edit boxes. This entry can include characters that may indicate text, numbers, dates, or times. In addition to standard characters, you can include character lists, and character ranges in any combination.

3.	Select the adjacent Include option to indicate that returned records should include the keyword. Select the adjacent Exclude option to indicate that returned records should not include the keyword.

4.	Click on the Run button to execute the query.

Notes

 If you enter a text, number, or date value, Showcase will attempt to coerce the entry to fit the unique data type of each database object in order to make a comparison. This means that the returned records may contain your search parameter in any one of its objects. If you query for the characters “123”, Showcase will return all records that contain this value as either a text, number, or date value. This means that Showcase will return all records whose objects have “123” as in “123 kilobytes”, or “123” as in “123 Maple Drive.”

 Keywords are not case sensitive.

 Showcase will compare your keywords against all available database objects.

 When you have more that one keyword entry, Showcase will connect the keywords using an OR operation that will increase the scope of the record search.

 To run precise queries with complete control over what records are returned, use the Run Query dialog box. This allows you to designate search locations, determine comparison methods, and use wildcard characters in your search text.

 You can look at the record count indicator on the lower right portion of the status bar to see how many records the query has returned.

 To exit the query and view all records in the database, select the Record | Show All menu command.


Editing a Query

Editing a query allows you to change the expression of the current query.  This option is available for advanced users.

To edit the current query:

1.	Click on the Query menu and then select Edit.

2.	Edit the listed expression.

3.	Press the Try button to ensure that the expression is acceptable.

4.	Press the Run button to execute the query.

Editing Rules

•	A query can hold a combination of expressions that maintain the form: [object name] [blank space] [operator] [blank space] [numeric or text value]

Example:

Text1 = “ben.bmp”

•	Encapsulate text expression values with double quotes.

Example:

Text1 = “ben.bmp”

Number1 > 25

•	The value part of the expression can contain wildcard characters, character lists , and character ranges in any combination.

Example:

Text1 = ‘*photo[a-z].???’

•	You can combine up to 40 expressions using the AND or OR conjunction.

Example:

Text1 = “ben.bmp” and [File Size] > 25

•	You can preface any expression with NOT to express the inverse.

Example:

NOT Text1 = “ben.bmp”

•	If an object name contains spaces, you must surround the name with brackets.

Example:

[File Name] = “Ben.bmp”

•	If entering a date or time value, use the DateValue or TimeValue function which is aware of international settings.  In lieu of using the DateValue or TimeValue functions, you can surround the value with the ‘# ‘symbol to achieve the same effect. You must enter date values in the form: 12/15/2001

Example:

[Date Modified] <= DateValue(‘12/15/2001’)

Acceptable Syntax

[	Left bracket to encapsulate object names containing spaces

]	Right bracket to encapsulate object names containing spaces

(	Left parenthesis

)	Right parenthesis

and	Joins two expressions with the AND conjunction

or	Joins two expressions with the OR conjunction

not	preface any expression to inverse the condition

between	Lets you specify a range

datevalue	Internationally aware date conversion function

timevalue 	Internationally aware time conversion function

*	Match zero or more characters

?	Match any single character

#	Match any single digit, 0 through 9

Acceptable Operators

=	Equal to

>	Greater than

>=	Greater than or equal to

<	Less than

<=	Less than or equal to

<>	Less than or greater than

Examples

Text1 = ‘*Jenny*’

Text1 = ‘Harry’

[Date Modified] = #5/10/96#

[Date Modified] > DateValue(‘5/10/96’)

[Time Modified] > #5:00:00 PM#

[Time Modified] > TimeValue('5:00:00 PM')

[File Name] = ‘*swimming*’

[Main Photo] = ‘*c:\*’

[File Size] > 200

Bits < 24

[File Size] Between 300 And 1000

[Main Photo] = ‘*camping*’ and [Date Modified] > #5/3/95#

Text1 = ‘*Lisa*’ and not Text1 = ‘*Michael*’

Memo1 = ‘*carrots*’ and (Text1 = ‘Lunch’ or Text1 = ‘Dinner’)


Organizing The Query List

Showcase lets you manage a list of saved queries for each database.  The Organize Query dialog box will allow you to add, edit, delete, and rename saved queries.

Related Topics

Editing Saved Queries

Deleting Saved Queries

Renaming Saved Queries


Saving A Query

To save the current query:

1.	Click on the Query menu and then select Add To List.

2.	Enter a descriptive name for the query.

3.	Press the OK button.

Notes

 See Running Saved Queries to run any saved query.


Running Saved Queries

To run a saved query:

1.	Click on the Query menu and then select More Queries.

2.	Select the query you wish to run.

3.	Press the Run button.

Notes

 See Saving a Queries for instructions on how to save a query.


Editing Saved Queries

To edit a saved query:

1.	Click on the Query menu and then select Organize List.

2.	Select the query in the Save Queries List.

3.	Press the Edit button.

4.	Edit the query expression and press the OK button.

5.	To edit other saved queries, repeat steps 2-4.

6.	Press the OK button to commit the changes.

Related Topics

 Editing a Query

 Deleting Saved Queries

 Renaming Saved Queries


Deleting Saved Queries

1.	Click on the Query menu and then select Organize List.

2.	Select the query in the Save Queries List.

3.	Press the Delete button.

4.	Press the OK button.

Related Topics

 Editing Saved Queries

 Renaming Saved Queries


Renaming Saved Queries

1.	Click on the Query menu and then select Organize List.

2.	Select the query in the Save Queries List.

3.	Press the Rename button.

4.	Edit the name.

5.	Press the OK button.

Note:

 No two queries can have the same name.

Related Topics

 Editing Saved Queries

 Deleting Saved Queries


Navigating Records

To traverse records in the database, use the toolbar navigation buttons or their equivalent commands located under the Record menu. The four possible navigation functions are:

First	Moves to the first record in the database.

Back	Moves to the previous record.

Next	Moves to the next record.

Last	Moves to the last record in the database.

In addition to using the toolbar, the Navigation toolbox mimics the same functionality as the navigation buttons on the toolbar. You can open this toolbox by selecting the View | Navigation Toolbox menu command.

Finally, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts to achieve the same effect:

First	Alt + Home

Back	Alt + Left Arrow

Next	Alt + Right Arrow

Last	Alt + End


Adding Records

To add a new record to the database, press the New button on the toolbar or select the Record | Add menu command. Showcase positions the new record at the end of the database and makes it the current record.

You can also use the File | Autoscan menu item to automatically search for picture files not referenced by the current database. If Showcase finds a new file, Showcase will add a record to the database for that file.


Deleting Records

To delete records from the database:

1.	Click on the Records menu and then select Delete.

2.	Choose a Delete Range option.

3.	Click on the OK button

Notes

 If you are running a query, you can only delete records that are currently within the scope of the query.

 To delete a record from the database, use the Record | Delete menu item. Showcase will position you in the next record unless the deleted record was the last record.

 Showcase requires that you maintain at least one record in your database.


Changing the Referenced Image

You can change the reference in a Photo or Graphic object from one image file to another image file. To do this:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Reference.

2.	Navigate to the folder where the new image file is located.

3.	Select the image file or enter the file name in the File Name edit box. Click here for information on what image file types are supported.

4.	Click on the Open button.

Notes

 The file must exist for this operation to succeed.


Changing the Imported Image

You can change the image in a BinPhoto or BinGraphic object from one image to another. To do this:

1.	Click on the Object menu and then select Import.

2.	Navigate to the folder where the new image file is located.

3.	Select the image file or enter the file name in the File Name edit box. Click here for information on what image file types are supported.

4.	Click on the Open button.

Notes

 The file must exist for this operation to succeed.


Customer Support

For general questions relating to Showcase, please write to: sales@cquick.com.

If you have a question or problem relating to the installation or usage of Showcase, please complete the support questionnaire located on the following web site:

http://www.cquick.com/support.htm

If you are not able to visit our web site, you can write directly to: support@cquick.com. To expedite the processing of your support questions please describe the nature of your problem and include responses to the following questions:

•	Which operating system are you using?

•	Is your computer part of a networked?

•	Which Showcase version are you using (look in the About command of the Help menu)?

•	What is the error number or error message if any?

•	What is your return email address?

Please direct any postal mail correspondences to:

CQuick Technologies

5254 16th Ave SW

Seattle, WA 98106

USA


System Requirements

•	Personal computer with 486/100 MHz or higher processor running Windows® 95, Windows® 98, or Windows NT® 4.0 with Service Pack 3 or higher.

•	16 MB RAM if running Windows® 95 or Windows® 98. 24 MB RAM if running Windows NT®.

•	20 MB available hard disk space.

•	Video hardware capable of displaying greater than 256 colors.


Copyright notice
Copyright

Showcase Copyright © 1998-1999 CQuick Technologies. All rights reserved.

Portions of this product were created using LEADTOOLS ©1991-1997 LEAD Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

Windows® 95, Windows® 98, Windows NT®, and Microsoft® Access 95 are trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation. LEADTOOLS® is a registered trademark of LEAD Technologies.

All other brand or product names used in this online help are trademarks of their respective holders.


Supported Image Files
Supported Image Formats

Showcase supports the following image file formats:

•	Adobe Photoshop 3.0.

•	CALS Raster file.

•	Encapsulated PostScript with an embedded TIFF file.

•	Encapsulated PostScript.

•	Exif file containing a JPEG compressed image.

•	Exif file containing a TIFF image, with no compression and with RGB color space.

•	Exif file containing a TIFF image, with no compression and with YCbCr color space.

•	FlashPix, compressed with JPEG, using a specified Q factor.

•	FlashPix, compressed with JPEG, using the default Q factor.

•	FlashPix, compressed with the single color method.

•	FlashPix, with no compression.

•	GEM Image.

•	IOCA, compressed using CCITT  group 3, 1 dimension, without MO:DCA wrapper.

•	IOCA, compressed using CCITT  group 3, 2 dimensions, without MO:DCA wrapper.

•	IOCA, compressed using CCITT group 3, 1 dimension.

•	IOCA, compressed using CCITT group 3, 2 dimensions.

•	IOCA, compressed using CCITT group 4, without the MO:DCA wrapper.

•	IOCA, compressed using CCITT group 4.

•	JPEG File Interchange Format with YUV 4:1:1 color space.

•	JPEG File Interchange Format with YUV 4:2:2 color space.

•	JPEG File Interchange Format with YUV 4:4:4 color space.

•	Kodak PhotoCD.

•	LEAD lossless compression format.

•	LEAD Proprietary 1-bit Compression Format.

•	LEAD Proprietary Compression Format.

•	MacPaint.

•	MacPict.

•	Microsoft Paint.

•	OS/2 BMP version 1.x.

•	OS/2 BMP version 2.x.

•	Portable Network Graphics.

•	Raw FAX, compressed using CCITT group 3, 1 dimension.

•	Raw FAX, compressed using CCITT group 3, 2 dimensions.

•	Raw FAX, compressed using CCITT group 4.

•	Sun Raster.

•	Tagged Image File Format, with no compression and with RGB color space.

•	Tagged Image File with JPEG compression and YUV 4:1:1 color space.

•	Tagged Image File with JPEG compression and YUV 4:2:2 color space.

•	Tagged Image File with JPEG compression and YUV 4:4:4 color space.

•	Tagged Image File with PackBits Compression and CMYK color space.

•	Tagged Image File with PackBits Compression and RGB color space.

•	Tagged Image File with PackBits Compression and YCbCr color space.

•	Tagged Image File, with no compression and with CMYK color space.

•	Tagged Image File, with no compression and with YCbCr color space.

•	TARGA.

•	TIFF, compressed using CCITT, group 3, 1 dimension.

•	TIFF, compressed using CCITT, group 3, 2 dimensions.

•	TIFF, compressed using CCITT, group 4.

•	TIFF, compressed using CCITT.

•	Windows BMP, with no compression.

•	Windows BMP, with RLE compression.

•	Windows cursor file.

•	Windows icon file.

•	Windows Meta File.

•	Winfax, compressed using CCITT group 3, 1 dimension.

•	Winfax, compressed using CCITT group 4.

•	Word Perfect.

•	ZSoft PCX.


Specifications Summary

Database Size	The maximum file size for a Showcase database is one gigabyte.

Object Count	A Showcase database will support up to 200 objects.

Object Size	The maximum physical dimensions of an object are twenty-two inches in both height and width.

Page Size	The maximum physical dimensions of the page in Normal view are twenty-two inches in both height and width.

Record Count	A Showcase database can hold more than 1,000,000 records.

Query Count	A Showcase database can store up to one hundred queries.

Boolean Query	Showcase queries can contain multiple expressions connected by up to 40 logical operators.


Toolbar

The toolbar is a group of buttons and one selection window found docked against the top, left, or right side of the application window. These buttons represent shortcuts to many of the most commonly used menu commands.

New

Shortcut to the File | New menu command.

Open

Shortcut to the File | Open menu command.

Save

Shortcut to the File | Save menu command.

Print

Shortcut to the File | Print menu command.

Cut

Shortcut to the Edit | Cut menu command.

Copy

Shortcut to the Edit | Copy menu command.

Paste

Shortcut to the Edit | Paste menu command.

First Record

Shortcut to the Record | Go To | First menu command.

Previous Record

Shortcut to the Record | Go To | Back menu command.

Next Record

Shortcut to the Record | Go To | Next menu command.

Last Record

Shortcut to the Record | Go To | Last menu command.

Add Record

Shortcut to the Record | Add menu command.

Normal

Shortcut to the View | Normal menu command.

Gallery

Shortcut to the View | Gallery menu command.

Notes

The Record Position Window allows you to jump to a new record by entering a record number, or selecting a record number from its drop-down list. Showcase will display this box if the toolbar is positioned against the top edge of the application window.

If you have trouble remembering what a button symbol represents, you can move the mouse pointer over that button and a tool tip window will appear with a message identifying the button.


Alignment Toolbox

The Alignment Toolbox is a floating window with a group of buttons designed to assist you in positioning objects on the page. You can resize this window and position it anywhere on the desktop.

Align Top Edges

Vertically positions the selected group of objects so that their top positions are lined-up with the top edge of the selected object farthest to the top.

Align Right Edges

Horizontally positions the selected group of objects so that their right positions are lined-up with the right edge of the selected object farthest to the right.

Align Left Edges

Horizontally positions the selected group of objects so that their left positions are lined-up with the left edge of the selected object farthest to the left.

Align Bottom Edges

Vertically positions the selected group of objects so that their bottom positions are lined-up with the bottom edge of the selected object farthest to the bottom.

Align Vertical Centers

Vertically adjusts the positions of selected objects so that their center points are lined-up. The center position is the midpoint of the region as determined by the top edge of the object farthest to the top and the bottom edge of the object farthest to the bottom.

Align Horizontal Centers

Horizontally adjusts the positions the selected objects so that their center points are lined-up. The center position is the midpoint of the region as determined by the left edge of the object farthest to the left and the right edge of the object farthest to the right.

Center Vertically in Page

Vertically positions the selected group of objects so that their center positions are lined-up to the vertical center of the page.

Center Horizontally in Page

Horizontally positions the selected group of objects so that their center positions are lined-up to the horizontal center of the page.

Even Space Vertically

Attempts to horizontally move the selected group of objects so that their vertical spacing is equal.

Even Space Horizontally

Attempts to vertically move the selected group of objects so that their horizontal spacing is equal.


Object Toolbox

The Object Toolbox is a floating window with a group of buttons identifying object types that you can select and insert directly to the page.

When you select an object type, the cursor will turn to a crosshair as you hover over the page. When you select and drag anywhere on the page, a selection band appears indicating the position where Showcase inserts the new object of the type selected. To cancel an insertion, raise the selected toolbox button by pressing on the button a second time.

Showcase provides a default name for all objects inserted using the toolbox. You can rename the new object using the Object Properties dialog box.

The topic, Showcase Objects, provides a detailed explanation of all Showcase objects.

You can resize this window and position it anywhere on the desktop.


Navigation Toolbox

The Navigation Toolbox is a floating window with a group of buttons that represents shortcuts to record navigation and is identical to the navigational buttons found on the main toolbar.

First

Shortcut to the Record | Go To | First menu command.

Previous

Shortcut to the Record | Go To | Back menu command.

Next

Shortcut to the Record | Go To | Next menu command.

Last

Shortcut to the Record | Go To | Last menu command.

The Record Position Window allows you to jump to a new record by entering a record number, or selecting a record number from its drop-down list.


Status Bar

The status bar provides comments on the current state of the active database. You can show or hide this by selecting the View | Status Bar menu command.


Working in Normal View

Normal view displays image and text as objects integrated within a sizable page. In this view, you have the flexibility to design custom layouts and the freedom to view and edit the database’s information in multiple ways.

Because understanding objects is a pivotal part of working in Normal view, see Showcase Objects for information about creating, deleting, selecting, editing, and formatting objects.

See the following topics to learn more about working in Normal view:

Sizing the Page

Cut, Copy, & Paste

Opening Your Graphics Program

Deleting the Referenced Image File

Renaming the Referenced Image File

Managing Overlapping Objects

Changing the Object’s Font

When working in Normal view, Showcase will place a check mark next to the Normal command from the View menu.

For a list of available keyboard shortcuts, see Keyboard Shortcuts


Sizing the Page

The page is the container for all objects in Normal view. You can size this area using the Page Setup dialog box. The maximum width or height of the page is 22 inches or 55 centimeters.

To resize the page:

1.	Click on the File menu and then select Page Setup.

2.	Edit the Width and Height fields inside the Size frame.

3.	Click the OK button.


Cut, Copy, & Paste

Showcase supports cut, copy, and paste operations so that you can exchange text or images with other applications.

If you copy an image from within Normal view, Showcase will send a Bitmap (BMP) and a Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) image to the clipboard.

If you copy an image from Gallery view, Showcase will send the thumbnail image, in its current size, to the clipboard as a Bitmap (BMP) and a Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) image.

If you paste an image from the Clipboard to a Photo or Graphic object, Showcase will create a new image file and display the image in the selected object. To see the location of the referenced file, use the Object | Reference menu command.

If you paste an image from the Clipboard to a BinPhoto or BinGraphic object, Showcase will import the image and display the image in the selected object.


Opening Your Graphics Editor
Opening Your Graphics Program

To send an image from any image object to an image editing application, double-click on the image while in Normal view.

The Windows registry must have an application associated with the image format for this action to be successful.


Deleting the Referenced Image File

If you want to send a picture file referenced by a Photo or Graphic object to the Recycle Bin, use the Delete File menu command.  You can find this command on the pop-up menu associated with the object or thumbnail frame. Showcase will display a default “No Photo” image in place of the deleted image.

To delete the referenced image file:

1.	Select the image or thumbnail.

2.	Press the secondary mouse button to open the pop-up menu.

3.	Select the Delete File option.

4.	Press the OK button to the warning message.


Renaming the Referenced Image File

If you want to change the name of an image file referenced by a Photo or Graphic object, use the Rename File menu command from the pop-up menu associated with the object or thumbnail frame.

To rename the referenced image file:

1.	Select the image or thumbnail.

2.	Press the secondary mouse button to open the pop-up menu.

3.	Select the Rename File option.

4.	Enter the new name of the image file.

5.	Press the OK button.


Managing Overlapping Objects

For objects whose positions overlap, you can set the order that determines which objects appear on top. The Object | Bring To Front menu command will position the selected object on top of all other objects.  The Object | Send To Back menu command will position the selected object to behind all other objects.


Working in Gallery View

Gallery View provides a preview of images from multiple records by displaying an array of thumbnails (images that have been reduced in size). You can designate the source of the images to originate from any Photo or BinPhoto object.

Because each thumbnail originates from a unique record, selecting a thumbnail with a click of the mouse or the arrow keys moves the current record to that selection. A depressed frame encapsulates the thumbnail signifying the current record while a raised frame encapsulates all other thumbnails.

To customize Gallery view, use the Gallery tab of the Options dialog box. This allows you to make the following changes:

•	Change the source of the thumbnail image to any other Photo or BinPhoto object.

•	Set the thumbnail caption source to any text-based object.

•	Change the size of the thumbnails.

•	Change the font associated with the thumbnail caption.

Pressing the ENTER key or double-clicking on any thumbnail will change the view to Normal View.

You can open a pop-up menu by pressing the right mouse button on any thumbnail image. This menu allows you to perform various actions such as deleting and renaming a file.

Gallery view supports Cut, Copy, & Paste which you can use to exchange thumbnails with the Windows Clipboard.

When working in Gallery view, Showcase will place a check mark next to the Gallery command under the View menu.

Caching greatly enhances the speed with which thumbnails appear in Gallery view. See Thumbnail Caching for more details.

For a list of available keyboard shortcuts, see Keyboard Shortcuts


Working in Split View

Split view integrates Gallery and Normal views within two vertically adjacent frames.

You can change the size of these frames by moving the cursor anywhere along the vertical region dividing the two frames. When the cursor changes to the bi-directional horizontal arrow, you can click and drag the vertical splitter to change the dimensions of each frame.

For more information on the specifics of each view, see the following topics:

Working In Normal View

Working In Gallery View


Using Showcase in Networked Systems
Using Showcase in a Network

In a networked environment, multiple users can share a Showcase database. However, the following guidelines should be taken into consideration.

Image File References

A Showcase database may hold image file references specific to the computer system that generated the database. This can prevent users on other computer systems from viewing the images in the database if the drive letters are different between the computers.

Resolution 1

One solution is to place your images on a shared drive and to have everyone that is going to access those images, map that shared drive to the same drive letter. Doing so ensures that the image file references make sense from each computer.

Resolution 2

Another solution is to save your database as a Showcase Portable File and to put that database on a shared drive. A Showcase Portable File database holds a copy of all the image files in the database file itself.

Concurrent Database Editing

Showcase does not keep track of the users editing a database. This means that if a database is accessible to more than one user, one user may inadvertently overwrite another user’s modifications.

You can avoid this situation by limiting the number of users with write access to a database. Users needing only to view that database can be given read-only access. Consult your network administrator for information on setting file access permissions on a network.

Network Traffic Versus Access Speed

When a database is opened, Showcase (by default) creates a local copy of that database. In a network setting, this may result in unnecessary network traffic and in unnecessary disk space use on the local computer system.

Resolution 1

The amount of network traffic can be minimized by opening a Showcase database in read-only mode. Doing this prevents Showcase from making a local copy of the database. You can open a file in read-only mode by selecting the Read-Only check box in the File Open dialog box or by setting the read-only file attribute on the database file.

Resolution 2

Network traffic can also be minimized by using references to the image files instead of the actual image data. Do this by using Photo or Graphic objects instead of BinPhoto or  BinGraphic when possible. Photo and Graphic objects hold a path to an image file; BinPhoto and BinGraphic hold the actual image data. The storage requirements to hold a path to an image file is normally lower and therefore will result in a smaller database file. Make sure you understand the limitations of using file references over a network - see the description above titled Image File References.

Notes

 You can use a program like Windows Explorer to make a Showcase database file read-only.


Extended Capabilities Using Microsoft Access

If you are an advanced user, you can use Microsoft Access 95 (or later) to edit the contents of a Showcase database.

The benefits of using MS Access are:

•	Enhanced data editing using Access’ table view.

•	Utilize Access’ ODBC capabilities to import/export data with other applications.

•	Perform database maintenance activities such as compact and repair.

Before you start:

•	Make a backup copy of the database file.

•	Ensure the database is not currently opened in Showcase.

To open a Showcase database in MS Access:

1.	Open MS Access.

2.	Click on the File menu and then select Open.

3.	Set the Files of type combo box to display All Files.

4.	Select the Showcase database or enter the file name in the File Name edit box.

5.	Click on the Open button.

After loading the Showcase database, you will see three table objects under the Tables collection.  The tables that you can edit are named DataTable and QueryList.  Do not edit the table named ControlList.  By adhering to the following guidelines, you can ensure full compatibility between MS Access and Showcase.

Information and Guidelines for Editing DataTable

•	The first field named “XP38ID” is a field of type AutoNumber so you cannot edit data under this column.

•	The second field named “XP38Order” determines the order in which each record appears.  For instance, the first record Showcase displays will have an XP38Order value of zero or a number that represents the lowest value in this group.  You can directly edit the contents of this field to control record order.

•	The remaining fields represent Showcase database object.  You can edit the contents of these fields directly.

•	Never add or delete fields in this table using MS Access.  Always perform this action using Showcase by adding or removing objects.

•	You can add or delete records.

Information and Guidelines for Editing QueryList

•	The first field, named ID, is a field of type AutoNumber.  You cannot edit data under this column.

•	The field named Name holds the name of the queries that have been saved.  You can edit this field to change the names of the queries.

•	The field named SQL holds the contents of the queries that have been saved.  If you understand queries, you can edit this field.  This entry holds the WHERE portion of an Access SQL statement without the word WHERE.

•	Never add or delete fields in this table.

•	You can add or delete records.


The Data is Invalid

The database was unable to convert the data into the type required. This occurs, for example, when letters are entered into a Number object or when an erroneous date is entered into a Date object.


The Field is Too Small

The object into which you tried to insert or paste data isn't large enough to hold the data. This occurs when you try to enter more than 255 characters into a Text object. If you need more than 255 characters of text use a Memo object.


The Database is Read-Only

You tried to save changes in a database that was opened for read-only access. If you need to update the database, close the database, resolve the read-only condition, and then reopen the file for read/write access.