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Tablet PC: What APIs/languages/IDEs can I use to develop InkAnalysis applications?

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Well I’m glad you’re wondering! There are a few options you have when you install the “Tablet PC Platform SDK 1.7” and the “Ink Analysis and Input Supplement for the Windows Tablet PC Edition Development Kit 1.7” together.

For installation instructions regarding the Tablet PC Platform SDK and Input Supplement see the following post:
https://blogs.msdn.com/gavingear/archive/2006/09/15/756274.aspx

So here are your current language/runtime options for writing InkAnalysis applications:

.NET, 1.x or 2.0 framework, Windows Forms
If you are using Visual Studio.NET 2002/2003/2005 and are working with Windows Forms, you have the easiest option for InkAnalysis integration. Here's what you would need to do to start using InkAnalysis
1. Add a reference to Microsoft.Ink.Analysis.dll and Microsoft.Ink:
Browse to: %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink --or--
Select from the Add Reference list:
"Microsoft Tablet PC API" --and--
"Microsoft Tablet PC InkAnalysis Managed Library"
2. Add a "using Microsoft.Ink" statement (optional)
3. Start using the InkAnalyzer class

.NET 1.x or 2.0 frameword, without Windows Forms (or when synthesizing your own ink)
If you are using Vistual Studio.NET 2002/2003/2005 and are either not using Windows Forms --or-- you are synthesizing your own ink with RealtimeStylus or other means, you want to use the "Base" or "Core" layer. Here's how you would get started with the Base layer:
1. Add a reference to IACore.dll:
Browse to: %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink --or--
Select from the Add Reference list:
"Microsoft Tablet PC InkAnalysis Core Components"
2. Add a "using System.Windows.Ink.AnalysisCore" statement (optional)
3. Start using the InkAnalyzerBase class

Visual Studio 6.0 and greater, C++
If you are writing a C++ application without managed extensions, this is the API (Automation library) to use.
You need two include files:
- msinkaut.h --> Core Tablet PC automation include file
- iacom.h --> InkAnalysis automation include file

In order to have these files resolved by the compiler, add the following include directory to your project settings (All configurations):
%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Tablet PC Platform SDK\Include

You can now start CoCreate-ing IInkAnalyzer COM objects...

We've already looked at how to use InkAnalysis in the first scenario listed above, so next we'll take a look at using the Base and COM layers.

See Ya,
Gavin