[AccessD] Visual Basic 2012 - Simple Gauge Tool

[Dan Waters]

Hi Paul,

This is a possibility:
https://visualstudiogallery.msdn.microsoft.com/8c83d3c2-40be-476a-827e-40f65
aac23bb

Another approach might be to just set up a horizontal bar with a length
that's proportional to the value you want to display.  For example, you can
have a dark gray rectangle (use a panel) that's 20 pixels high and 200
pixels long.  Within that can be another rectangle (light green?) that's 10
pixels high and has a variable width where 100 pixels is = 50% of the value,
and your code changes its width according to whatever the value is.  The
inner rectangle should be aligned left with the outer rectangle.  You can
also show the value number over the bar so the user sees the exact value.
If you want to get cool - show the inner rectangle getting larger or smaller
for a fraction of a second after the user enters the values.  You could also
change the inner bar's color if you reach certain thresholds (i.e., too high
or too low).

For your example, I would create a background rectangle high enough to
accommodate two inner rectangles (one for current and one for new gross
margins), where the two inner rectangles are of different colors.  With one
bar above the other, this gives the user a quick visual comparison of the
two values, along with having the numeric values displayed.

Round gauges can be impressive the first time they're seen.  But in
practice, they take up a lot of space, aren't really quick to read, don't
allow for quick comparisons, and you have to find them and learn to use
them.  I really wish I could change the dashboard in my car!!

HTH!
Dan

-----Original Message-----
From: AccessD [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of
Paul Hartland
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 2:45 AM
To: VisualBasicList; Access List
Subject: [AccessD] Visual Basic 2012 - Simple Gauge Tool

To all,

I have posted to vb group and access as I don't seem to get many responses
from the vb group for some reason.  Anyway I am looking for a simple gauge
tool and wondered if anyone on here had any recommendations, basically I
have a form with a grid and what I (well the management want) is something
above the grid similar (I suppose to a speedometer) to show percentages, it
will need to have two needles/pointers which will indicate current gross
margin percent and new gross margin percent when the user enters a new
price, I have all the calculations in place for the percentages, just need a
nice simple to use gauge tool.

Thanks in advance for any help on this...

--
Paul Hartland
paul.hartland at googlemail.com
--
AccessD mailing list
AccessD at databaseadvisors.com
http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/accessd
Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com