DesktopX resolution independence
Tuesday, April 22, 2003 by mrbiotech | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Out of curiousity, has anyone had success making a resolution independent theme for DesktopX?
Specifically, I'm attempting to make a horizontal taskbar that will vary in dimension depending on the screen resolution, but it doesn't seem immediately possible. Any suggestions?
Specifically, I'm attempting to make a horizontal taskbar that will vary in dimension depending on the screen resolution, but it doesn't seem immediately possible. Any suggestions?
BoXXi
Reply #2 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 3:26 AM
Reply #2 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 3:26 AM
Phil: I understand about the 100% width value, but what should the graphic be like? Do I make an image that is 1600 pixels wide to cater for the biggest screens, and will it get "squashed" to fit the smaller resolutions? That's the bit I don't understand. 
mrbiotech
Reply #3 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 8:14 AM
Reply #3 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 8:14 AM
Is it possible to have an area to the upper right AND left of the screen reserved for objects of set size and have the variable region between used for the taskbar object?
Below is a simplified ASCII rendition:
__________________________________________________
shortcuts /=============================\ systray
_________/ =====want tasks here========= \________
If I used a negative value solely, then I would technically have to sacrifice the shortcuts or systray. Much easier in LS, but DX incredibly entertaining objects too.
(thanks thus far!)
Below is a simplified ASCII rendition:
__________________________________________________
shortcuts /=============================\ systray
_________/ =====want tasks here========= \________
If I used a negative value solely, then I would technically have to sacrifice the shortcuts or systray. Much easier in LS, but DX incredibly entertaining objects too.
(thanks thus far!)
c242
Reply #4 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 10:38 AM
Reply #4 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 10:38 AM
It's quite old, but You may have a look at my 'Sountox' theme. 
pjpowell
Reply #5 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 10:44 AM
Reply #5 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 10:44 AM
Short answer yes.
Long answer follows:
Create Object1 (shortcuts) which will be set length of 100. Dock to the top and left and that's all.
Create Object2 (Taskbar) Dock to left and top and position to the right of the shortcuts. Because the left hand side of it will always be in the left half of the screen it can be docked to the left. Now set this to -100
Create Object3 (systray) Dock to right and fixed width of 100. Position to the right of Object2.
Boxxi: You can set stretching or tiling margins in the object properties so that it will tile/stretch when the graphic is resized to cater for other screens. Depending on your image you may need to set a lower limit for screen resolutions it supports.
pjpowell is hoping that in DX2 dxscript will allow resizing of objects (currently doesn't allow it) because that would make it a whole lot more powerful. Different conditions showing totally different images and stuff would be very cool. Objects that reconfigure themnselves to make best use of the space dynamically and suchlike.
Long answer follows:
Create Object1 (shortcuts) which will be set length of 100. Dock to the top and left and that's all.
Create Object2 (Taskbar) Dock to left and top and position to the right of the shortcuts. Because the left hand side of it will always be in the left half of the screen it can be docked to the left. Now set this to -100
Create Object3 (systray) Dock to right and fixed width of 100. Position to the right of Object2.
Boxxi: You can set stretching or tiling margins in the object properties so that it will tile/stretch when the graphic is resized to cater for other screens. Depending on your image you may need to set a lower limit for screen resolutions it supports.
pjpowell is hoping that in DX2 dxscript will allow resizing of objects (currently doesn't allow it) because that would make it a whole lot more powerful. Different conditions showing totally different images and stuff would be very cool. Objects that reconfigure themnselves to make best use of the space dynamically and suchlike.
Jess McGuay
Reply #6 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 10:46 AM
Reply #6 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 10:46 AM
at one time I was told in the SD NG's they were going to look into adding something, or bringing it back not sure which now, so that when you change desktop size things like toonxp DX bar stays together instead of being piled ontop of itself when you change rez.
pjpowell
Reply #7 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 11:29 AM
Reply #7 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 11:29 AM
That can already be done using DXscript. But it is a bit complicated currently because each object has to be moved individually. You can't just move the parent and let DX move the children or grouped objects as the parent->child->group relationship is not recognised by dxscript.
_Martin_
Reply #8 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 11:44 AM
Reply #8 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 11:44 AM
PJ: Think you will have to wait until NG for resizing objects 
MikeB314
Reply #9 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 12:31 PM
Reply #9 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 12:31 PM
mrbiotech, have a look at my Stinger DX theme. https://www.wincustomize.com/skins.asp?Library=3&skinid=2523 It contains a horizontal bar across the top that will fit any resolution (within reason). I have a clock and email checker aligned to the right, and menus aligned to the left. It might serve as a guide for what you want to do.
mrbiotech
Reply #10 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 8:41 PM
Reply #10 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 8:41 PM
Thanks guys! Your advice has been apt, and I think all appears to be functioning correctly! 
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Reply #1 Wednesday, April 23, 2003 3:19 AM
So for a taskbar that needs to go all the way across the screen you would simply put 100% in the width.
If however you needed a systray to the right of that which was 100 pixels wide you would use a width of -100 and dock the object to the left of the screen. The systray object would be docked to the right of the screen.