length and measure

[Mindset]

Could someone please explain how to convert a text.length to the correct value for a rectangle width?

The int value is 28 which is the no of characters but my rectangle is 28 pixels - I think. I have looked through msdn but it is just defeating me and I know it will be simple :-)

[NinjaTrader_JoshP]

Unfortunately this is beyond the support we can provide. Hopefully another forum member with experience in this area can help you.

[Ralph]

Mindset, you have to use ChartGraphics.MeasureString(...) for that purpose.

Regards
Ralph

[Mindset]

Still not there

Hi Ralph

That is what I thought with my research but I am missing a piece of the puzzle

width = ChartGraphics.MeasureString(tempstr , textFontBold);

I get the error that graphics doesn't exist. I have a plot override but this statement is outside it - is that not ok?


Could you show an example?

[Ralph]

Hi Mindset,

I made a mistake in my description. "ChartGraphics" is the name of a local variable, and therefore meaningless to you. "ChartGraphics" is the reference to first parameter of the Plot() method (Graphics object). Finally I use "ChartGraphics" outside Plot(), but I set it inside Plot(), every time Plot() is invoked.

Regards
Ralph

[Mindset]

half understand

Ralph

I think I sort of get some of what you are saying. Having had no formal programme training my knowledge is mostly from library books and cutting/pasting other people's code to fit together to do what I want it to do.

I have learnt to a very basic level along the way.

There is in fact a ChartGraphics.Graphics Property ( just to add to the confusion in my head) on msdn (lol).

I shall get there in the end but your comment about outside plot() and inside plot every time it's invoked left me puzzled.

[Ralph]

Hi Mindset,

I appreciate your comment.
Let's clarify some of the issues. The first is: I can't find a "ChartGraphics" in the MSDN Doc. Do you have a link for that?

Regards
Ralph

[Mindset]

chartgraphics

I found that property here

I am a teensie bit further forward.
I have moved my string to the variables section and I can now get a SizeF.

I understand this to give 4 floating point nos delineating the string in a box (rectangle)

When I then try and define a new rectangle it says it can't convert from float to int?? Ha Ha!!

[Ralph]

How do you want to use the SizeF? To create an rectangle? Is your system based on double, float, or integer?

Regards
Ralph

[Mindset]

rectangle

Appreciate this Ralph. My SizeF is called stringsize.

I assumed this would work if I created a rectangle using SizeF

Rectangle rect = new Rectangle(5,stringsize.Height,stringsize.Width,tex tFontBold.Height);

params 2 and 3 are the problem. 1 and 4 seem fine.

My reference book (Learn c# in 21 days (Sams)) has no info on this either.

I am just not getting the whole concept here - does SizeF not contain all the info necessary to create a whole rectangle as it holds 4 points?

On msdn it looks like I should use RectangleF and then just add a start point

eg RectangleF rectF =
new RectangleF(myLocation, stringSize);

but that doesn't work either.

You can probably sense I am getting quite frustrated with this.

[Ralph]

Hi Mindset,

hard to judge at which day they would teach the SizeF in their books, obviously after day 21 :|

Let's make an end with your frustration.
SizeF contains 2 values, what ever that means, you could use such structure whereever you need a value pair. These values are float. A RectangleF needs 4 coordinates or a PointF and a SizeF:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/system.drawing.rectanglef.rectanglef.aspx

I guess myLocation isn't a SizeF?
Rectangle needs 4 coordinates or a Point and a Size, all integers:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/system.drawing.rectangle.rectangle.aspx

I do operate with integers preferable. If you do too, I would recommend to convert the SizeF to a Size and then your Rectangle-Construction should work. Here are 2 examples how to convert:
SizeF strSizeF = Graphics.MeasureString(str, stringFont);
Size strSize = Size.Ceiling(strSizeF);
Size strSize = Size.Truncate(strSizeF);

Let me know, if that works.

Regards
Ralph

[Mindset]

Update

Ralph

Apologies - have been away and still struggling with this Size and SizeF thing.
appreciate all your help but I will take this info, go into my cave, and try and get it all right in my head.

[Mindset]

Inching forward

ok - I have started to get some of the concepts of the rectangle. Still don't get what the difference is between canvas and bounds. Actually I don't really get bounds either but never mind - I can use it.


Thanks for the explanation of coridinates vs integers - that was a major stumbling block for me before you explained so succinctly.
my problem now is the width of the string. i am using stringbuilder to compose a string and my size keeps getting a very small measurement.
I am measuring as the stringbuilder is finished - is there something special I am missing/ need to do?

[Ralph]

Hi Mindset,

bounds is the rectangle describing the dimension of your canvas, nothing more. The graphics object is the instantiation of a graphical class containing all the functionality needed for the interaction with the canvas (i.e. measurestring()).

Measurestring returns that SizeF structure, wich contains 2 values. One is the width and one is the hight of your string. Since you have to hand over a font object as second parameter, MeasureString() knows how to calculate the width correctly. It doesn't matter with which tools you constructed the string.

Regards
Ralph

[Mindset]

Disappearing up my own smoke

Hi Ralph

Just spent a v frustrating hour or so with this.

int height2 = (textFontBold.Height * 3);
width3 =  graphics.MeasureString(incomingpath ,textFontBold);	//SizeF
int pointx = ChartControl.Bounds.Left;
int pointy = ChartControl.Bounds.Top;
int width4 = Size.Ceiling(width3);// error??
Rectangle rectangle1 = new Rectangle(pointx,pointy,width4,height2);
graphics.DrawRectangle(borderPen,rectangle1);

I get an implicit conversion error on the width4 variable.