PowerBuilder 11.5 adds 3D rendering to display the 3D graphs (Pie3D, Bar3D, Column3D, Line3D, and Area3D) with a more sophisticated look. The new graph styles let you use data item translucency instead of the overlays used by original 3D graph styles. However, you can still use the 3D graphs with the original rendering style if you want.
The new graph rendering style is supported for standalone graph controls and for graph controls in a DataWindow object. PowerBuilder uses the following functions to support the new graph styles in standalone graph controls:
GetDataLabelling |
SetDataLabelling |
GetDataTransparency |
SetDataTransparency |
GetSeriesLabelling |
SetSeriesLabelling |
GetSeriesTransparency |
SetSeriesTransparency |
PowerBuilder uses the same functions to support the new graph styles in DataWindow controls, but with an extra graphcontol argument.
For more information, look up the function in the online Help.
The new 3D rendering depends on the DirectX runtime, which will be installed the first time the user selects the feature. After the Render3D check box is initially selected, the DirectX installer will launch. If the check box is selected for an unsupported style, nothing happens until one of the supported 3D graphs is selected. If you opt out of the installation, the Render3D property is ignored.
If you install DirectX on the runtime computer but selecting the Render3D check box does not change the appearance of the graph, it is possible that the graphics card does not support DirectX.
You can check whether DirectX is supported by running dxdiag.exe. This file is typically installed in the Windows\System32 directory. The Display tab of the DirectX Diagnostic Tool indicates whether Direct3D is enabled.
The following properties are not supported in the new 3D graph styles.
Axis: ShadeBackEdge, MajorTic, MajorGridLine, DropLines, MinorDivisions, MinorTic, MinorGridLine, PrimaryLine, SecondaryLine, OriginLine, Frame
Text: Alignment for axis labels and text.
