TLsIconEditor
================================================================================

Archive File  :  IconEdit.zip

Contents      :  (1) TLsIconEditor - that is a design-time Icon Property Editor,
                     replacing the default property editor in Object-Inspector.            
                 (2) TLsIconExplorer - that is an executable utility program, 
                     demonstrating the features and funstions of LsIconEditor.
 
Version       :  3.10 for Delphi versions 3, 4, 5 and 6. 
   
Author        :  Leo D. Shih  e-mail  <ldshih@ecn.ab.ca> 

Copyright     :  1998-2001 by Leo D. Shih, all rights reserved.

Latest Update :  May 2002.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
DISCLAIMER
==========

  The current version of LsIconEditor and LsIconExplorer (the software) are
  distributed as freeware without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied.
  In no event shall the author be liable for any problems or damages that may
  result from the use of the software.  

  However, comments, suggestions or bug-reports are welcome.

===============================================================================

1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION
   =================

 1.1 TLsIconEditor is a design-time Icon Property Editor that enable you to
     (a) retrieve icons from files with following extensions:
         .cpl, .dll, .drv, .exe, .ico, .ocx  
         and to display them in an IconView;  
     (b) select your desired icon visually from the displayed icons in the 
         IconView; 
     (c) save a selected icon to an IconFile (.ico), either in 16-, 256- or
         Hi-colors; 
     (d) convert a selected icon to a bitmap with same- or different-dimension,
         then save it to a BmpFile (.bmp) in 16-, 256- or Hi-Color;

 1.2 TLsIconExplorer is substantially the same as LsIcopnEditor, but compiled
     as an executable utility program. Thus it can demonstrate all features and
     functions offered by the TLsIconEditor.
   
    
2. INSTALLATION
===============

Files for different versions of Delphi are stored in separate folders.  

Before installing LsIconEditor, it is highly recommended that you close all 
open projects in the IDE to avoid possible conflicts. 

2.1  Unzip IconEdit.zip to any folder.
        
2.2  copy files, that are relevant to the version of your Delphi, to a folder,
     and ensure that the folder is in the Library search path. 
 
     Note that D4 and D5 use the same Unit-files, but different *.dpk file in
     the D4_n_D5 folder. For example, the following files are required for 
     Delphi 5:

          LsIconEditorD5.dpk
          LsIconEditorD5.res

          AboutIconEditorD45.dfm
          AboutIconEditorD45.pas
          LsIconEditorMainD45.dfm
          LsIconEditorMainD45.pas
          LsIconEditorRegD45.pas
          SaveIconDlgD45.dfm
          SaveIconDlgD45.pas
          LsComp.inc
        
2.3  Choose File | Open to popup FileOpenDialog .

2.4  Select Delphi Package Source(*.dpk) from the Files of Type 
     drop-down list.

2.5  Select LsIconEditorD5.dpk in FileOpenDialog for Delphi 5, 
     (LsIconEditorD3.dpk, LsIconEditorD4.dpk or LsIconEditorD6.dkp for
      Delphi 3, 4 or 6 respectively).  

2.6  When the Package Editor apprears, Click Compile button to compile
     the Package into .BPL (DPL in Delphi 3) file.

2.7  Upon completion of compiling, click Install button to install the 
     package "Lds Property Editor -Icon" into your Delphi.

2.8  Restart Delphi, enabling the LsIconEditor to take effect.

3  Uninstalling
===============
  
     To unintall "LsIconEditor" from Delphi, follow these steps:
     - Click 'Component' Delphi's main-menu, then select 'Install Package';
     - From the 'Design Packages List', select 'Lds Property Editor - Icon';
     - Click 'Remove' then 'OK'.


4. USING THE EDITOR
===================

4.1  When you clicks '...' button next to Icon Property, or double-click 
     the Value column of Icon Property, in the Object Inspector, the 
     LsIconEditor will popup.  The following is a brief description of 
     LsIconEditor's controls:

4.2  PathCombo and FileListView are used to manage folders and files in
     your computer. The operation and function of PathCombo and FileListView 
     are similar to those in the Windows' Open- or Save-Dialog

4.3  Toolbar buttons:
                   
     ========================================================================
     Button          Action
     ________________________________________________________________________

     Up            : Go up to parent folder.     
                                                                          
     FileMask      : Click it to popup 'Dropdown Menu', which contains the
                     following MenuItems:

                     - AllFiles  - Displays all sub-folders and files in the
                                   selected folder;  
                       
                     - Masked    - Displays only files that match pre-defined
                                   file masks (i.e. *.cpl, *.dll, *.drv, *.exe,
                                   *.ico and *.ocx) and contain icons, in
                                   addition to sub-folders .     
                       
     Clear         : Clear all icons in the IconView and selected icon in
                     Image1.

     Save          : To activate a SaveIcon dialog in order to save the
                     selected icon to an Iconfile (.ico), or to Convert it to
                     Bitmap then save to a Bitmap file (.bmp), with options to
                     select color depth and/or Bitmap's dimemsion. 
              
     OK            : Accept the selected icon and close LsIconEditor.
       
     Cancel        : Cancel current operation and exit. 

     ========================================================================



5. Error Handling:
=================       
       
     Due to difference in minor-versions of Delphi's, you may encounter 
     error message(s) on activating TIconEditor, such as

           "Error reading LsIconEditorForm.   ...  : Property
           does not exist" (or something similar)
       
     If such condition occurs,  you can take following steps to correct it:
       (a)  Remove the package/component;
       (b)  Open AboutIconEditorD?.pas, LsIconEditorMainD?.pas and 
            SaveIconDlgD?.pas (or all *.pas files that are appropriate to 
            your version of Delphi) in Delphi's IDE;
       (c)  If any error message appears, just click "Ignore" or "Ignore All"
            buton;
       (d)  Save all opened files, then re-install the package/component.
       
       
6. Version Info
===============

  Version 3.10
  ------------

    -  Added Files for Delphi 6.
    -  Added Windows XP support.
    -  Increased color-depth when saving Icon files. This is usable
       for Windows XP applications.
    -  Improved User Interface. 

  Version 3.00
  ------------
 
    -  BookMarks provision replaced by PathCombo and FileView.
    -  User interface completely redesigned.            
    -  Added Color-depth option when convering Icon file to Bitmap.
    -  Distributed files are now compatible to Delphi version 5.

  Version 2.00
  ------------

    -  Added ColorDepth options, thus Icons can be saved as 16-colors or
       256-colors .ICO file.
    -  Added the capbility to change Bitmap size when converting .ICO file
       to .BMP file. 
    -  Unit files are now common to D2, D3 or D4, instead of different 
       files for each Delphi version.
       
  Version 1.10  
  ------------

    -  Added files for Delphi 4x and the capability to save selected 
       Icon to a .Bmp file.

  Version 1.00
  ------------

    -  Initial release.                 
==============================================================================
