Importing Pictures from Other Programs into Basic (44311)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft QuickBASIC 2.0
  • Microsoft QuickBASIC 2.01
  • Microsoft QuickBASIC 3.0
  • Microsoft QuickBASIC 4.0
  • Microsoft QuickBASIC 4.0b
  • Microsoft QuickBASIC 4.5
  • Microsoft GW-Basic Interpreter 3.20 and later
  • Microsoft BASIC Compiler for MS-DOS and OS/2 6.0
  • Microsoft BASIC Compiler for MS-DOS and OS/2 6.0b
  • Microsoft Basic Professional Development System (PDS) for MS-DOS and MS OS/2 7.0
This article was previously published under Q44311

SUMMARY

Screen images displayed in some painting and picture-viewing programs can be imported to QuickBasic. To do this, you must be able to exit program that displays the picture, and leave the viewed picture on the screen. Most programs that can terminate while leaving the screen intact can be used, as described below.

This information applies to Microsoft QuickBasic Versions 2.00, 2.01, 3.00, 4.00, 4.00b, and 4.50; Microsoft GW-Basic Interpreter Versions 3.20, 3.22, and 3.23; Microsoft Basic Compiler Versions 6.00 and 6.00b for MS-DOS and MS OS/2; and to Microsoft Basic PDS Version 7.00 for MS-DOS and MS OS/2.

MORE INFORMATION

  1. The Basic program must first activate the screen mode that the picture will be displayed in. This is done with a SCREEN statement.
  2. The Basic program should then SHELL out to the picture viewing program, which should display the picture and then exit, leaving the picture displayed (check the picture program's manual for the proper procedure to do this).
  3. When the picture-viewing program has terminated, control is passed back to Basic. The Basic program can then use the BSAVE statement to save the screen image to disk.
Note: There are several graphics programs available on GE GEnie (General Electric Network for Information Exchange) that are suitable for this use.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/8/2003
Keywords:KB44311
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