==================================
MsgBox3D 2.50 - The 3D Message Box
==================================
The MsgBox statement and function provided with Microsoft's 
Visual Basic lacks a three dimensional "look".  MsgBox3D 
replicates the functions provided by VB's MsgBox and adds a 
three dimensional effect.  Other features have been added to 
the initial version.

Features:
1.  Exactly duplicates the VB MsgBox functions.
2.  Uses the 3D effect found in newer applications.
3.  Allows for additional, more meaningful user response by 
allowing the command captions to be more descriptive.
4.  Can be used to provide bilingual messages, with 
corresponding captions.
5.  Can display alternate icons.
6.  Can be used to create "Splash Screens".
7.  MsgGen3D.Exe generates MsgBox3D Visual Basic code.  Thus 
simplifying the creation of messages.
8.  Can include a Help button or No buttons.

=========================================
MsgGen3D.Exe - The Generate Code and Demo
=========================================

The files included in MsgB3D.Zip are:

MsgGen3D.Exe	Demo Program
MsgGen3D.Ini	Initialization File
MsgBox3D.Hlp	Help File
ReadMe.Txt	This Read Me File

MsgGen3D uses VBRun300.DLL, ThreeD.VBX and CMDialog.VBX.  They 
are not supplied.

You should copy the Help file to your Windows directory.  Use 
MsgGen3D to compare the difference between the VB MsgBox and 
the 3D MsgBox.  You can also demo the use of different icons, 
fonts, command captions and include a help button or no 
buttons.

Please review the Help file [MsgBox3D.Hlp] to learn how to 
incorporate MsgBox3D into your applications.

MsgGen3D will use Ctl3Dv2.DLL, if found.  Ctl3Dv2 causes 
CMDialog [and VB MsgBox and VB InputBox] forms to be displayed 
with a 3D effect.

===============
Version History
===============

Version 2.50, 94/12/03
----------------------
MB3D_Unload.  The MsgBox3D form can not be unloaded, if 
loaded, using MB3D_Unload.

MB3D_Zone.  The MsgBox3D message can be centered in a zone.  
Subroutine MB3D_Zone is added.  See Message Location in the 
MsgBox3D.Hlp file.

Registration.  MsgBox3D registration is available from 
CompuServe Shareware Registration services.  Use GO SWREG, 
item number 3805.

Mouse Snap-To.  The mouse pointer will jump to the default 
button of any dialog box if Snap-To is enabled in the mouse 
driver.  MsgBox3D uses ThreeD.VBX command buttons.  ThreeD.VBX 
buttons do not support the Snap-To feature.  

One standard VB command button was added to the MsgBox3D form 
in version 2.44.  That button is moved to the center of the 
default message button then set to invisible.  

This workaround solves the minor inconsistency between VB's 
MsgBox and MsgBox3D. Thanks go to Helmuth Schutzeich for 
reporting this inconsistency.

French Captions.  Thanks to Roger Doyon [74361,3542] for 
supplying French equivilant captions used in MsgCap3D.Frm.

Bug.  MsgGen3D always tried to use Ctl3Dv2.  Then goes into a 
loop and can't recover.  Thanks to Helmuth Schutzeich for 
reporting this "serious bug."

Version 2.40, 94/10/06
----------------------
Significantly Improved Performance.  The MsgBox3D form is no 
longer unloaded.  It is hidden instead.  This provides a vast 
improvement in performance.  Almost all code was moved from 
the message form [MsgBox3D.Frm] to the module [MsgBox3D.Bas].  
You can still unload the form by changing one global variable.  
A suggestion from Art Gravina and Nick Esselman.

Help Button or No Buttons.  You can include a Help button or 
have no buttons displayed with the message.  Help button is a 
suggestion from Ed Obeda.  No buttons is a suggestion from 
Nick Esselman.

More Icons.  Eight more standard Icons are added.  A 
suggestion from a number of users.

Cleaner Message.  The message has been redesigned providing a 
cleaner 3D effect.  Use the new or old design by changing one 
global switch.  A suggestion from Douglas D. Feller

New Name.  MsgDmo3D's name is changed to MsgGen3D.  The new 
name reflects the message generation features of the program.

Version 2.30, 94/09/08
----------------------
Generate VB Code.  MsgDmo3D.Exe, the demo program, will 
generate MsgBox3D source code which can be "pasted" into your 
application.  See help topic "Generating MsgBox3D Source Code" 
in the help file for details.

Version 2.20, 94/08/17
----------------------
Add Alternate Icons.  You can select from one of sixteen 
alternate icons, or specify the file name of any icon to be 
displayed by MsgBox3D.  A suggestion from Ed Obeda.

Save and Restore MsgBox3D Global Variables.  You can use 
subroutines MB3D_Globals_Save and MB3D_Globals_Restore to save 
and restore the 21 MsgBox3D user definable variables.

Sale price is eliminated, price goes back to $9.95.

Version 2.10, 94/07/27
----------------------
Add "Splash Screen" support.  Use Global MB3D_Splash to pass 
an interval to MsgBox3D.  For example:
      MB3D_Splash = 1000
causes the message to be removed in one second.

Version 2.03, 94/06/02
----------------------
Add "Private" to internal MsgBox3D subroutines and functions.

Version 2.02, 94/05/30
----------------------
A comment in the help file was inaccurate.  A label box, not a 
text box, is used to display non-3D messages.

Version 2.01, 94/05/29
----------------------
Added MB3D_Commands_No3D global variable.  When set to True 
commands are shown without a 3D font.  Suggestion from Louis 
Desjardins.

Version 2.00, 94/05/27
----------------------
Two significant features were added to MsgBox3D in version 
2.00.  You can now specify the font and alignment used while 
displaying the message.  And you can define the command 
captions and fonts.  For example: The "OK" caption could be 
replaced with "Next Page".  These enhancements are described 
in the demo's What's New screens.  

Uses: You could use MsgBox3D as a bilingual enhancement to 
VB's message box.  For example: As the user log's on he 
replies whether he wishes to use the French or English version 
of your application.  You then modify the command captions 
based upon his language preference.

Version 1.10, 94/04/10
----------------------
1.  Remove VSVBX from the demo program.  

2.  Support the up and down arrow keys while displaying the 
message.  Pressing the up or down arrow keys did not provide 
the same results as the VB MsgBox.

3.  Drop the price from $19.95 to $4.95.

Version 1.01, 94/03/04
----------------------
1.  Add support for System Modal mode.  With the help of Wayne 
Aiello, MsgBox3D now supports the display of the message box 
in System Modal mode.  The SetSystemModalWindow API is used.

2.  MsgBox3D is modified to eliminate the Switch menu entry 
from the control box.  And display the Close menu entry only 
if a Cancel button is displayed.  The GetSystemMenu, 
DeleteMenu and ModifyMenu API's are used.

Version 1.00, 94/03/01
----------------------
Original version completed.  A demo is uploaded to CompuServe 
on 94/03/01.

==============
Upgrade Policy
==============
Version 2.50 of MsgBox3D is free to registered users.  The 
registered user need only agree to pay the CompuServe file 
transmission charge - about $4.  Send a message to The Bridge, 
71662,205, agreeing to accept transmission charges and the new 
version will be shipped to you electronically.

=================
Ordering MsgBox3D
=================
You can purchase the MsgBox3D source code.  Cost is $10.00 
plus $3.95 shipping.  California purchasers please include 
applicable sales tax.  

To order using CompuServe's Shareware Registration service use 
GO SWREG, product code 3805.

To order by phone call: 415-697-2730.  

To order via CompuServe, send a message to: 71662,205.  
Provide the method of payment, and shipping instructions.

Warranty: Although The Bridge believes that MsgBox3D will 
operate as documented, The Bridge makes no implied or 
expressed warranty.  Use the product at your own risk.

If you have questions, problems, or suggestions concerning 
MsgBox3D, please contact:

The Bridge, Inc.
199 California Drive, Suite 210
Millbrae, CA  94030
415-697-2730
Fax: 415-692-3921
CompuServe: 71662,205

=========================
Order by mail information
=========================

NAME: ___________________________________________

COMPANY: ________________________________________

STREET: _________________________________________

CITY: _____________________________  STATE: _____

ZIP: _______________

CompuServe: ____________,________

The product is mailed using a 3 1/2 inch diskette.  If 
ordering by mail, send a check made payable to The Bridge, 
Inc., to:

The Bridge, Inc. 
199 California Drive, Suite 210
Millbrae, CA  94030

==============
Other Products
==============
Other products available from The Bridge on CompuServe 
include:

SpaClndr - A full function calendar with holidays using DDE.  
Use it as a stand alone calendar.  Or use it to communicate 
with your application via DDE.  Holiday information is stored 
in an Access database.  Source code available for $19.95.  
File name: SpaCln.Zip

FormatVB - Format a VB form or module for input to your 
favorite word processor.  Adds line numbers to the listing 
then creates a table of contents.  Freeware.  File name: 
Format.Zip

Shade - A demo program that shows how to shade a form - 
similar to the Window's Setup screen.  Freeware.  File name: 
Shade.Zip.

SetTab - A demo program that shows how to set tabs in a text 
box.  Freeware.  File name: SetTab.Zip

TstLay - Two functions that will save and restore a TrueGrid 
layout in a binary file.  Freeware.  File name: TstLay.Zip.

DemoCt3D - Demonstrates the API's needed to call Ctl3D.DLL.  
Freeware.  File name: DmoC3D.Zip


Readme.Txt Last Revised: Sunday, December 4, 1994

