Product: LABELVIEW, CODESOFT
Version: Legacy
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In this lesson you will learn about:
- Object linking and embedding (OLE)
- The difference between linked and embedded objects
- The benefits of linking and embedding
- How to create a new object and embed it in a label
- How to select an existing object, and either link it or embed it in a label
About OLE Objects
What is an OLE object?
An OLE object is an object that is created in an application (such as a word processing, graphics or database program) other than LABELVIEW or CODESOFT. Then, it is either embedded or linked into a document (label) file.
What’s the difference between embedded and linked?
- An embedded object becomes part of the document file. Double clicking an embedded object opens the source program in which it was created. You can use the source program to modify the object, with the result that any changes you make to the embedded object appear in the document (label) file.
- A linked object is a representation in a document file of an object that actually exists in another file (a source file). The document file stores the location of the source file, not the object itself. Double clicking a linked object opens the source file in the program in which it was created, with the result that any changes you make to the linked object are made to the source file. When the source file is changed, all documents to which it is linked can be updated automatically.
Important: When you open a linked object and modify it, you are changing its source file. If you do not want to change the source file, then embed the OLE object instead of linking it.
Why use OLE objects?
- With embedded objects, you have easy access to the source program (word processing, graphics, database or other) for revising and manipulating the object.
- With linked objects, you also have easy access to the source program, but the changes you make affect the source file. When you change a source file, you can update the links to that source automatically. For example, if you have a link in multiple documents to a corporate logo, and you change the corporate logo, all the linked instances of the logo can be updated automatically.
- With linked objects, since the object is not resident in the document file, it does not add to the file size. If file size is a consideration, use linking.
Adding OLE Objects to a Label
Options for creating OLE objects
There are two options for creating OLE objects:
- Create New: Allows you to select an application on your PC to create an entirely new object. The selected program opens when you click OK so that the object can be created.
- Create from File: If the object you want to use on the label is already saved on your system, use this option to locate it. You will be prompted to enter the location and file name, or you can browse to find it.
Procedure: Create new
To create a new embedded object and add it to a label:
NOTE: Any program installed on your PC that has OLE hooks will appear as a source in the Object Type box.
NOTE: Objects that you create new are embedded in the document (label) file. The Create from File option allows you to choose to insert the object as a link.
3. In the Object Type box click Paintbrush Picture, and then click OK. An image box appears in your label document, and the Paintbrush application is active.
4. Click a Paintbrush tool and draw in the image box.
5. Click outside the image box. The LABELVIEW or CODESOFT application is active and the image box remains selected.
6. Right-click the object, and click Properties.
7. In the General tab, Shape settings tab and Patterns resolution rendering button, you have the same properties we covered in the About Fixed Objects knowledge base article
8. Click OK. Once you place an object on a label, you can click and drag to move it. To change the size of the drawn object, click on one of its handles and drag it.
Procedure: Create from file
To add an existing object to a label:
2. Click Create from File. The Insert Object dialog box changes.
4. To insert the object as a link, select the Link check box; otherwise, the object will be embedded.
5. To insert an icon in place of the object, select the Display As Icon check box; otherwise, the object will appear.
6. Click OK.
7. Right-click the object, and click Properties.
8. In the General, Shape settings, and Rendering tabs, you have the same properties we covered in the About Fixed Objects knowledge base article.
9. Click OK. Once you place an object on a label, you can click and drag to move it. To change the size of the object, click on one of its handles and drag it.
Working with Linked Objects
Link update options
By default, linked objects are updated automatically:
- Each time you open the destination file (the document that contains the link)
- Each time the source file is changed while the destination file is open. You can change the default to update manually; by doing so, an object is updated only when you choose to perform the update. If you have added a linked object to your document, you can later disconnect the link and keep the object (embedded) in your document.
Procedure
To change update options, break links, and access the source file:
1. Click Browse and select any supported graphic file, such as a Windows Bitmap (.bmp) file.
2. On the Edit menu, click Links. The Links dialog box appears.
3. Select the link you want to work with, and review these options:
- Update Now updates the linked object to match its source file. Use this button to update the link when you have Manual update selected.
- Open Source opens the source file in the application in which it was created.
- Change Source allows you to link the object with a different source file.
- Break Link allows you to disconnect the object from its source file. This leaves the object in your label as an embedded object.
Automatic causes the link to be updated automatically each time the destination file is opened or when the source file is changed while the destination file is open.
Manual prevents the link from being updated until you select it and click Update Now.
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