DesktopX Impossibility?
Friday, January 24, 2003 by chickenbow | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Hi, i'm in the middle of creating a new DesktopX theme but I've encountered a problem that would make this theme impossible to create if it can't be resolved. Any help is GREATLY appreciated. 
Here's the effect I'm trying to create:
I want to have many graphical objects to interact with and be controlled by the present time.
For example: when it is 6:00AM I want to have one object become a SQUARE, but then when the time turns to 7:00am i want it to become a CIRCLE, at 8:00AM a STAR, etc., with each hour representing a different graphical appearance.
Oh yea! I just want the hours to control the objects not the minutes, but I guess that would also come in handy too though it's not required.
My Prolbem: Is that I cannot figure out how to make this happen. I'm wondering if I have to somehow tell one DXClock, or some other clock object, to send a message to the other objects or if I need a (gasp) DXScript to create this effect.
I'm really stuck on this one and if I can't find a solution then the theme will not see the light of day... If anyone can help me find a solution then of course I'll give full credit where it's due. Again, any help at all would be appreciated.
-Ron
Here's the effect I'm trying to create:
I want to have many graphical objects to interact with and be controlled by the present time.
For example: when it is 6:00AM I want to have one object become a SQUARE, but then when the time turns to 7:00am i want it to become a CIRCLE, at 8:00AM a STAR, etc., with each hour representing a different graphical appearance.
Oh yea! I just want the hours to control the objects not the minutes, but I guess that would also come in handy too though it's not required.
My Prolbem: Is that I cannot figure out how to make this happen. I'm wondering if I have to somehow tell one DXClock, or some other clock object, to send a message to the other objects or if I need a (gasp) DXScript to create this effect.
I'm really stuck on this one and if I can't find a solution then the theme will not see the light of day... If anyone can help me find a solution then of course I'll give full credit where it's due.
Again, any help at all would be appreciated.-Ron
kthxbye
Reply #2 Friday, January 24, 2003 9:35 PM
Reply #2 Friday, January 24, 2003 9:35 PM
Sorry nobody's offered anything yet - my knowledge of DesktopX is next to nonexistant, so I can't offer anything up. From hearing what you want, however, I /do/ think that you're going to need DXScript or something along those lines for it... but then, I'm far from the best one to ask. 
joetheblow
Reply #3 Friday, January 24, 2003 10:11 PM
Reply #3 Friday, January 24, 2003 10:11 PM
I think there is a theme that has something like that already. I am not sure what theme it is though. check out Frogboy's DesktopX themes or go through the library and search under objects.. It is in there somewhere.
joetheblow
Reply #4 Friday, January 24, 2003 10:15 PM
Reply #4 Friday, January 24, 2003 10:15 PM
Oh and by the way, what your trying to do it definaitly do-able. If I remember I will tell you how. Of hand I would check out the DX toys. Its somewhere... I really do believe Frogboy has a theme that does something like what your talking about; except it changes every month because it is a calender. You could use that and ajust it to be every hour.(if possible)
IPlural
Reply #5 Friday, January 24, 2003 10:47 PM
Reply #5 Friday, January 24, 2003 10:47 PM
the Inspector Gadgit dxtheme has an animated cog/gear on the background, which might be a place to start for figuring out part of the affect, maybe, just a thought...
paxx
Reply #6 Friday, January 24, 2003 10:53 PM
Reply #6 Friday, January 24, 2003 10:53 PM
chickennow, if definatly doable, and rather easy to do with DXScript. Read the documentation, there are examples of scripts using Timers (that's what you want, a timer that changes the image every hour).
Listen let me know if you can't find it, I'll try to write something quick for you that I'm sure you'll be able to edit to fit your needs (image names, etc).
Listen let me know if you can't find it, I'll try to write something quick for you that I'm sure you'll be able to edit to fit your needs (image names, etc).
chickenbow
Reply #7 Saturday, January 25, 2003 4:04 AM
Reply #7 Saturday, January 25, 2003 4:04 AM
Hi, thanks for the suggestions, however nothing has worked quite yet. I did try looking at Frogboy's themes and objects and I did not come across the effect I need. I noticed one of his called, "April Stuff" the developer suite, but it doesn't work either (actually DX claims it is corrupted and won't load it). I also tried to hunt around the DX section in clocks, misc objects and themes with no avail. I did go into DXtoys, but that's a little beyond me, though i definately didn't notice any settings that might help (though it was a good idea). Oh yea, and the Gadget theme didn't really help since the rotating cog was only an animation (but cool nonetheless), which I already know how to do.
Maybe I should expalin just a little better what I can do and what I cannot.
I have got the animations ready and set up, the image states are also done. what is left is the *comunication between the clock and these Objects, to switch Object States once each hour passes.
Also, I require a real clock object and not just using a Timer (thanks for the suggestion though, that's not my absolute backup plan). The reason is because I need the images to change every hour on-the-hour in real-time with each person's personalized time settings.
For example: at 6:00pm user time the sun will set, but at 6:00am user time it will rise again, and so on with other objects.
So I think that what I might need is a DXScript to complete the job, however I can't program it myself. I am somewhat familar with programming language, so if anyone knows where I can find something similar, or if you'd be willing to start me off in the right direction then that would be a HUGE help.
Again, thank you.
-Ron
Maybe I should expalin just a little better what I can do and what I cannot.
I have got the animations ready and set up, the image states are also done. what is left is the *comunication between the clock and these Objects, to switch Object States once each hour passes.
Also, I require a real clock object and not just using a Timer (thanks for the suggestion though, that's not my absolute backup plan). The reason is because I need the images to change every hour on-the-hour in real-time with each person's personalized time settings.
For example: at 6:00pm user time the sun will set, but at 6:00am user time it will rise again, and so on with other objects.
So I think that what I might need is a DXScript to complete the job, however I can't program it myself. I am somewhat familar with programming language, so if anyone knows where I can find something similar, or if you'd be willing to start me off in the right direction then that would be a HUGE help.
Again, thank you.
-Ron
chickenbow
Reply #9 Sunday, January 26, 2003 9:37 PM
Reply #9 Sunday, January 26, 2003 9:37 PM
thought I'd ask once more before I drop the topic and work on another theme instead... :/
Oh yea, lets not forget... GO BUCS!!!
Oh yea, lets not forget... GO BUCS!!!
paxx
Reply #10 Sunday, January 26, 2003 9:54 PM
Reply #10 Sunday, January 26, 2003 9:54 PM
No, sorry. It's definately a DX Script thing.
What I'm thinking is a scriptthat runs once every minute and polls the minutes of the system clock; every time the minutes read "00" then, execute a hide/show objects script.
Something like that.
Just gotta find somebody to write it now.
What I'm thinking is a scriptthat runs once every minute and polls the minutes of the system clock; every time the minutes read "00" then, execute a hide/show objects script.
Something like that.
Just gotta find somebody to write it now.
Weaksid
Reply #11 Sunday, January 26, 2003 9:55 PM
Reply #11 Sunday, January 26, 2003 9:55 PM
0 equals to end.. At least that's what I learned in C++
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Reply #1 Friday, January 24, 2003 9:30 PM