Creating Bitmap Hot Spots

You can do more with pictures in your Help file than simply display them. You can also create graphics, such as icons or buttons, and format them as hot spots. With a bitmap hot spot, the user can click any part of the graphic to activate the hot spot: jump, pop-up, or macro. Bitmap hot spots use the same formatting and positioning characterisitics as text hot spots, so you can use any bitmap or metafile as a hot spot.

To format a bitmap as a jump hot spot

1.1.Type the bitmap reference (bmc, bml, bmr) in the topic file where you want to create the jump.

2.2.Select the entire bitmap reference, including the bitmap filename and the opening and closing braces.

3.3.From the Format menu, choose Character.

4.4.Select the Double Underline check box, and then choose OK.

5.5.Position the insertion point immediately after the closing brace of the bitmap reference.

Leave no spaces or characters between the brace of the bitmap reference and the insertion point.

6.6.From the Format menu, choose Character.

7.7.Clear the Double Underline check box, select the Hidden check box, and then choose OK.

8.8.Type the context string assigned to the topic that you want users to jump to when they choose this hot spot.

9.9.From the Format menu, choose Character.

10.10.Clear the Hidden check box, and then choose OK.

Figure 10.x shows the GLOSS.BMP bitmap correctly formatted to jump to the Contents topic of the Glossary Help file when it is chosen.

To format a bitmap as a pop-up hot spot

1.1.Type the bitmap reference (bmc, bml, bmr) in the topic from which you want to display the pop-up window.

Be sure you have created the topic (and its context string) that will appear in the pop-up window.

2.2.Select the entire bitmap reference, including the bitmap filename and the opening and closing braces.

3.3.From the Format menu, choose Character.

4.4.Select the Underline check box, and then choose OK.

5.5.Position the insertion point to the immediate right of the closing brace of the bitmap reference.

Leave no spaces or characters between the brace of the bitmap reference and the insertion point.

6.6.From the Format menu, choose Character.

7.7.Clear the Underline check box, select the Hidden check box, and then choose OK.

8.8.Type the context string assigned to the pop-up window topic.

9.9.From the Format menu, choose Character.

10.10. Clear the Hidden check box, and then choose OK.

Figure 10.x shows the RT.BMP bitmap coded to display a pop-up window (with the “rt05_how_pm” context string) containing all cross-references to the current topic when it is chosen.

To format a bitmap as a macro hot spot

1.1.Type the bitmap reference (bmc, bml, bmr) in the topic file where you want the macro.

2.2.Select the entire bitmap reference, including the bitmap filename and the opening and closing braces.

3.3.From the Format menu, choose Character.

4.4.Select the Double Underline check box, and then choose OK.

5.5.Position the insertion point to the immediate right of the closing brace of the bitmap reference.

Leave no spaces or characters between the brace of the bitmap reference and the insertion point.

6.6.From the Format menu, choose Character.

7.7.Clear the Double Underline check box, select the Hidden check box, and then choose OK.

8.8.Type an exclamation point (!) followed by the macro and its parameters that you want Windows Help to execute when the user chooses this hot spot.

9.9.From the Format menu, choose Character.

10.10. Clear the Hidden check box, and then choose OK.

Figure 10.x shows how to format the WINCLK.BMP bitmap so that Windows Help executes a macro starting the Clock application when it is chosen.