Using JPEG images with Pendragon Forms

Displaying JPEGs

In order to display JPEG images in Pendragon Forms records on Palm OS handhelds, you will need to install JpegLib.prc.  This file is included with Pendragon Forms 5.0; Pendragon Forms 4 users should install the updated Forms.prc and the JpegLib.prc from  Service Pack 4 (8/18/2004).

Using the JPEGLib.prc, you can now view JPEG images on your Palm OS handheld without leaving Pendragon Forms. Prior to Pendragon Forms Service Pack 2 (10/23/2003), it was necessary to launch a third-party application, AcidImage, in order to view JPEG images from Pendragon Forms. 

1. Download and install Pendragon Forms Service Pack 4. 

pf4sp4.exe (1 MB)

(Note: If you downloaded Pendragon Forms 4.0 after 10/22/2003 and do not want Service Pack 4, go to Step 3.)

2. Synchronize your handheld to install the newest version of Pendragon Forms.

3. Install the JpegLib.prc on the handheld. 

The JPEGLib.PRC file can be found in the file JpegLibPalm030912.zip.  This file is typically located in the C:\Program Files\Forms3 folder.

Open the zip file and double click JpegLib.prc. The Palm Install Tool will appear.  Select your handheld name from the list and synchronize your handheld. 

You will now be able to display JPEG images within form records.  Images that are larger than the allowed display area will be displayed at half size. 

Using Custom Controls to Capture JPEG Images with Zire 71, Zire 72 and Sony Clie Cameras

Pendragon Forms 5.0  and Pendragon Forms 4 Service Pack 4 (UPDATED 8/18/2004) include controls for cameras in Palm Zire 71 and Zire 72, and Sony Clie TH, UX and NX series handhelds.

Once a JPEG image has been captured and synchronized back to the desktop, it is stored in a binary field in the desktop database.

Although the camera controls are included with Pendragon Forms 4.0, you must install them separately on the handheld.   Zire 71 and Zire 72 users should install FormsZire71jpg.prc (not FormsZire71.prc).  Clie users should install SonyCamCtrl.prc and SonyCapLib2.prc.

Note: The SonyCapLib2.prc, which is required to use the Custom Control with Sony Devices, is also included.

The new JPEG camera custom control has several advantages over the standard Windows Bitmap camera control that shipped with Forms 4.0.  First, the new control captures images at the camera's full resolution instead of 320x240 pixels.  Second, JPEG images are significantly smaller than Windows bitmap files.  In fact, even though the new control captures images that are four times larger, the resulting JPG files are almost three times smaller than the Bitmaps produced by the original control.  The other important advantage of the JPEG camera control is that it provides a way for the handheld user to view captured images while in Pendragon Forms.  This is possible by using the JPEG image viewer library included with Service Packs 2-4.

1.  Follow the instructions above for Displaying JPEGs.

2.  If you were using an earlier version of the Zire 71 Custom Control (FormsZire71.prc), you should remove it from your handheld. 

3a. If you are using a Palm Zire 72 or Zire 71 device, install the FormsZire71jpg.prc on the handheld.

3b. If you are using a Sony Clie handheld, install the SonyCamCtrl.prc and SonyCapLib2.prc on the handheld.

The FormsZire71jpg.prc, SonyCamCtrl.prc, and SonyCapLib2.prc are typically found in the C:\Program Files\Forms3 folder.  Double click the file name and the Palm Install Tool will appear.  Select your handheld name from the list and synchronize your handheld.

Photos are stored as 640 x 480 JPEG files.  Zire 72 users can capture and store images at the maximum resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels. Sony Clie users may choose a 320 x 240 pixel photo size. 

Controls are documented in the files FORMSZIRE71JPG.PDF and SONYCAMCTRL.PDF.  These file is typically located in the C:\Program Files\Forms3 folder.

For More Information About Using Pictures

To learn more about using pictures with Pendragon Forms, please see Chapter 17: Working with Images in the Pendragon Forms 4.0 Reference Guide (To download the PDF, right-click on the link above and choose Save Target As...)

© 2003-2004 Pendragon Software Corporation.  All rights reserved. Copyright and trademark information.

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Pocket PC Note: 

Pocket PCs will display JPEG images.  No additional software is required.