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Resource (.res) files can hold icons, cursors, strings, bmp images,
audio/video files and other data to be included in executable (.exe)
files. Here's an outline of the steps I use to add custom cursors
to my programs. Procedure for other types of resources are similar.
Building the resource file
 | Download, extract or build the cursor files desired. |
| Build a resource "script" text file with a .rc extension.
Each line contains the resource name, the resource type and the resource
file name separated by spaces. Since Delphi builds its own resource
file for your project each time you compile, your resource file name should not
be the project name. The For example Peg Solitaire uses a file
named Peg with lines:
PEGNODROP CURSOR "pegnonrop.cur"
PEGDROP CURSOR "pegdrop.cur"
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| Define a batch file to invoke Borland's resource compiler to compile
the resource script to build a resource file. This compiler resides in
Delphi's \Bin folder. It takes in a ".rc" file as
source and produces a ".res" file as its
output. It's easiest if you save the batch file in the same directory as your project. My Genres.bat
file has this line: " C:\Program Files\Borland\Delphi5\Bin\BRCC32.EXE"
PegCursors.RC
When you double click on Genres.bat (or whatever name you choose),
file PegCursors.res should be built. (If you're a good
typist, you could just type this line into an MSDOS window or the Run
box on your start menu - I'm not that good. And it does assume that the
".rc" file is in the current
directory. )
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Using the resource file
Const
crRed=1;
crBlue=2;
| Load the cursor any time before you try to assign it
to screen.cursor, I do it in a FormCreate exit. with lines like: |
screen.cursors[crDrag]:=LoadCursor(HInstance, 'PEGDROP');
screen.cursors[crRed]:=loadcursor(HInstance,'RED');
HInstance is a global Delphi variable containing the handle of the
application.
| Finally assign the cursor as appropriate, either by an entry in the
properties field of a component or by assigning it in code. |
That's it. I've used custom cursors in
Peg Solitaire and in the Game of HIP, both posted
in the Program Section. You can download
Peg Solitaire custom cursor stuff here if you're interested. The
cursor files for HIP are included in the source
download for HIP.
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