Line Drawing DLL

[saratogacoach]

Hi,

I am creating an eLearning project to educate students that lets them draw diagrams. This is mostly completed using an eLearning authoring program*. But, the one feature that this program does not create is ability to draw lines (about 7 line types-solid, dotted, arrow-headed, etc.) on-the-fly between diagram shapes, then save these, re-open and edit if needed. These are straight lines between objects.

The authoring software (*Opus from Digital Workshop, UK) can include and call functions in external DLL's, if they are written in unmanaged code.

I wonder if, as a C+ beginner (would use the free Visual Studio Express for Visual C+), if it would be possible for me to create a very simple DLL with a line drawing function, using a few line types? I think that I could overlay this line drawing canvas over the diagram in the final app (make them the same size, use a transparent background for the line canvas).

I would much appreciate if anyone can get me started, possibly with a basic DLL with one function, one call, almost like a 'hello world' for unmanaged DLL. Then I could see what is involved, what I would need to figure out.

Regards,

saratogacoach

[S_M_A]

Sure it's possible to do everything using the Windows Api and the express version. I would recommend reading the latest book by Charles Petzold http://www.charlespetzold.com/pw5/ to get an understanding on the windows environment.

[saratogacoach]

Hi,

Thank you for the suggestion.

I think that I "know" more than I can "do." I've been around the Windows environment, coding in VB, net, a variety of scripting languages (JS, ASP, PHP, etc.) for a while.

It's C+ and unmanaged DLL's that are the challenge. Would like to see a basic beginner tutorial on creating a DLL in C+, especially a line drawing tutorial, maybe with some source code to get started.

Regards,

saratogacoach

[S_M_A]

I repeat, do get yourself a windows C/C++ programming book. VB for instance, is not the same as C++ so some source code would help you in some specific cases but not overall.

[saratogacoach]

OK. I understand. Again, thanks for your suggestion.