Objects the controll widgets?
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 by RobJK | Discussion: DesktopX
I want to make a simple object that contols a widjet. I set the object to Widjet control? It says under it that I can have it controll stand alone widgets and minimize them via the object. I dont know how make it work? I just want to be able to click the object and minimize the widget or all widgets that I have open and then click it again and Amximaize them? Is this possible or am I misunderstanding it? Do I have to enter a script and if so can you post it for me? Thanks Much!
Robby
RobJK
Reply #2 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:08 AM
Reply #2 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 2:08 AM
Thanks Bigdog but I dont understand what you mean? I want to make a object(button like object)that just sits on my desktop and when clicked it will minimize a certain widget that is part of the desktop. I dont have any experience with this so lamen would be nice? Well that is lamen but I need step by step? I have looked in the wiki and I cant find anything? If you point me out to a post that will help I will go there. Thanks.
HG_Eliminator
Reply #3 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:10 AM
Reply #3 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 3:10 AM
ok first start DX in builder mode, and import the widget you wish to control. now create a new object ,in its properties window change object type to object controller, make sure the Open/toggle popup object is selected (leave this configuration window open).
Now go over to the Widget you wish to control. Right click on the main image, typically the background and select properties. In the properties window select the "relation" tab, in "popup:" change the drop down menu to Toggle. Now select the summary tab. In "Object ID" at the very bottom it lists a name for the background this "name" needs to be selected in the controler Objects "target object name or group name" drop down menu.
Press ok in the object controllers sub window and apply in the main configuration window and close it.
Now go back to the widgets configuration window and press apply and close. Now the widget visibility will toggle with the controllers button. Remember to save the controller and the widget. The widget must be saved, as you have changed its configurations and it will not work on the actual widget without DX, untill you save it as that widget.
now your button will toggle the visibility of the widget ...
Hope this helps
Now go over to the Widget you wish to control. Right click on the main image, typically the background and select properties. In the properties window select the "relation" tab, in "popup:" change the drop down menu to Toggle. Now select the summary tab. In "Object ID" at the very bottom it lists a name for the background this "name" needs to be selected in the controler Objects "target object name or group name" drop down menu.
Press ok in the object controllers sub window and apply in the main configuration window and close it.
Now go back to the widgets configuration window and press apply and close. Now the widget visibility will toggle with the controllers button. Remember to save the controller and the widget. The widget must be saved, as you have changed its configurations and it will not work on the actual widget without DX, untill you save it as that widget.
now your button will toggle the visibility of the widget ...
Hope this helps
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #4 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:26 AM
Reply #4 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:26 AM
Do you want to toggle the widget visible/invisible or toggle minimize to tray or task bar/desktop?
HG_Eliminator
Reply #5 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:30 AM
OOPs my bad. Read and posted at like 2:00am lol.
Well If toggling visibility is not desired, I'll try to get the instructions to toggling the min\restore up later after i've gotten a bit more shut eye.
Reply #5 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:30 AM
Do you want to toggle the widget visible/invisible or toggle minimize to tray or task bar/desktop?
OOPs my bad. Read and posted at like 2:00am lol.
Well If toggling visibility is not desired, I'll try to get the instructions to toggling the min\restore up later after i've gotten a bit more shut eye.
BigDogBigFeet
Reply #6 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:30 PM
I've tried to address this question. Some important points. The best way to learn is by taking a working widget(note not a fully compiled gadget) that has a minimize button, importing it into DesktopX Builder and seeing how it works. Note once you import the widget into DesktopX Builder the actual widget minimize and close abilites no longer actually work. I know that may seem a bit confusing but, that's the way it is. This is because they have to be exported as widgets for those functions to work. I mentioned in my above posts giving your widget a name on the Properties summary tab because that's what links your widget minimize button to the widget. You will see this in all existing widgets that have a working widget minimize or close button.
Not to plug my own work but, I do have a working widget with working widget close and minimize buttons that can be imported into Builder for your examination. That is my Azenis2 Player widget. There are many other fine examples widgets for you to choose from. That's how I learned about widgets.
To have one button that minimizes a group of widets requires scripting. The WIKI link I gave you above can take you to DesktopX and then Tutorials. You can give that a try as well there are many fine scripting tutorials for you to learn from. Finally I found by downloading jef's DesktopX themes and working with them, including the scripts, that I became better with DesktopX. So, I think this should help.
Reply #6 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:30 PM
It says under it that I can have it controll stand alone widgets and minimize them via the object. I dont know how make it work?
I've tried to address this question. Some important points. The best way to learn is by taking a working widget(note not a fully compiled gadget) that has a minimize button, importing it into DesktopX Builder and seeing how it works. Note once you import the widget into DesktopX Builder the actual widget minimize and close abilites no longer actually work. I know that may seem a bit confusing but, that's the way it is. This is because they have to be exported as widgets for those functions to work. I mentioned in my above posts giving your widget a name on the Properties summary tab because that's what links your widget minimize button to the widget. You will see this in all existing widgets that have a working widget minimize or close button.
Not to plug my own work but, I do have a working widget with working widget close and minimize buttons that can be imported into Builder for your examination. That is my Azenis2 Player widget. There are many other fine examples widgets for you to choose from. That's how I learned about widgets.
To have one button that minimizes a group of widets requires scripting. The WIKI link I gave you above can take you to DesktopX and then Tutorials. You can give that a try as well there are many fine scripting tutorials for you to learn from. Finally I found by downloading jef's DesktopX themes and working with them, including the scripts, that I became better with DesktopX. So, I think this should help.
RobJK
Reply #7 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:29 PM
Reply #7 Wednesday, March 12, 2008 11:29 PM
Hg Elementer. Thanks so much that description was great step by step. I am almost shure that I can do it now. I will give it a try. Oh and The max\min thing or toggle vis or unvis doesnt matter? I would rather have it toggle so your good! Thanks much and will go at it and post back with my results.
HG_Eliminator
Reply #8 Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:17 AM
Reply #8 Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:17 AM
Any time.. post back if you have any problems. I also can help with multiple gadgets on a single button, if you need
RobJK
Reply #9 Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:59 AM
Reply #9 Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:59 AM
It worked! I didnt know that widjets where number of objects that perform different commands put together in one. That is cool. I never knew howcome there wasnt an option in desktop x for creating a widjet. So what I just created was a new widget right? So the controller and widget are now one widget. I get it! I feel a little smarter! Thanks. The only thin that I dont understand Is when I save it I click on any part of either the controller or widget and exprot as a widget right? If I change the name It will be another widget? Right?
HG_Eliminator
Reply #10 Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:27 AM
Reply #10 Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:27 AM
If I change the name It will be another widget? Right?
yes.The only thin that I dont understand Is when I save it I click on any part of either the controller or widget and export as a widget right?
You will need both to have the same "Widget name" in the bottom of the Summary Tab, tis easyest to just change the buttons "widget name" in the summary tab to match the one already listed in the widget you are trying to control. This will allow both items to be exported as one Widget, containing both the widget and the toggle button. Then right click on the button and export. name it what ever you want to call it and bam you have your toggle button and widget combo in one package..
RobJK
Reply #11 Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:25 PM
Reply #11 Thursday, March 13, 2008 9:25 PM
Ok thanks for that as well! Thats awsome! couldnt imagine trying to make a full widget! If that was that hard for me to get. LOL
RobJK
Reply #13 Monday, March 17, 2008 12:07 AM
Reply #13 Monday, March 17, 2008 12:07 AM
One more thing? I made a set of desktop shelves(objects) Some people liked so I am going to make update it to look better and Add different colors. I want to make it so when you open the object all of the colors open and you can delete and or duplicate which colors you wish?
HG_Eliminator
Reply #14 Wednesday, March 19, 2008 3:35 AM
Reply #14 Wednesday, March 19, 2008 3:35 AM
Easy. create one then clone it then change the coloring on the freshly cloned item, then clone that one and change the coloring on the newest clone again, do this until you have one of each color you wish. Then click on the original and export to a DX pack. This will set all of them as Related and all of them should be packaged up together.
Remember in your Comments section to detail how to clone and remove them. This will allow new users to more easily to know how to use them easily.
hope this helps
Remember in your Comments section to detail how to clone and remove them. This will allow new users to more easily to know how to use them easily.
hope this helps
RobJK
Reply #15 Wednesday, March 19, 2008 3:49 AM
Reply #15 Wednesday, March 19, 2008 3:49 AM
Thank you so much that was quick I didnt see that you where on. I didnt even expect that you would be becuase in my time zone it is 4 am LOL I should go to bed!
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Reply #1 Tuesday, March 11, 2008 7:08 PM