*** Archive *** Calculate Distance Between Fields

Question / Problem: 

How do I calculate the distance between two fields?

Answer / Solution: 

The following algorithm calculates the distance between two rectangles. This can be used to merge alternatives together.

Public Function RectangleDistance(a As CscXDocFieldAlternative, b As CscXDocFieldAlternative) As Long
   Dim vertDistance As Long
   vertDistance = Abs(b.Top + b.Height / 2 - a.Top - a.Height / 2) - b.Height / 2 - a.Height / 2

   Dim horDistance As Long
   horDistance = Abs(b.Left + b.Width / 2 - a.Left - a.Width / 2) - b.Width / 2 - a.Width / 2

   If vertDistance > 0 Or horDistance > 0 Then
      RectangleDistance = Max(vertDistance, horDistance)
   Else
      RectangleDistance = 0
   End If
End Function

Private Function Max(v1 As Long, v2 As Long) As Long
   If v1 > v2 Then Max = v1 Else Max = v2
End Function

Applies to: