DesktopX client question
Tuesday, November 15, 2005 by Island Dog | Discussion: DesktopX
I noticed that someone mentioned they cannot clone my Christmas Lights object. I know with the "standard" versions of DX you do this in DX Builder, but can you clone with just the client version?
http://islanddog.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SkinID=3767&LibID=3&comments=1
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MountainDragon
Reply #2 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:42 PM
Reply #2 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:42 PM
You're right Bichur - Client means no Builder, no editing, no cloning. (Kinda makes me wonder how people not listed as customers are creating the DX Themes they are uploading... 
)
)
CerebroJD
Reply #3 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:43 PM
Reply #3 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:43 PM
You might want to consider building a 'electrical panel' for your lights. It would be just a little box that let you turn them 'on' or 'off' and would let you add or remove 'strings' of lights. By making it completely autonomous of right-click cloning, you'll get around the whole problem. 
CerebroJD
Reply #4 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:45 PM
Reply #4 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:45 PM
Dragon, people can still use the DX trial to create stuff, I think. 
I think that the dx Client costs money as well... 12 or 13 dollars if I recall.
I think that the dx Client costs money as well... 12 or 13 dollars if I recall.
Bichur
Reply #5 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 3:11 PM
Reply #5 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 3:11 PM
Maybe some of the unable to cloners aren't switching to builder, also?
Island Dog
Reply #6 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 7:39 AM
Reply #6 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 7:39 AM
I was working on something like that CerebroJD, but I was just thinking instead of uploading a a small section of lights, I would make a "long" section that would fit most desktops.
DigitalDanes
Reply #8 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 2:19 PM
Reply #8 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 2:19 PM
Island Dog: Is there a way to "rotate" the string of lights? As they are now, they can only hang from the top of my screen. I'd like to turn them so I can clone and make a sort of "frame" around my screen (right, left, top, and bottom). I'm a basic user of DX so I don't understand scripts and such so if it requires having to change the scripting/coding, someone will have to post it in very plain wording (imagine I'm 4 years old when it comes to that part...LMAO) 
DD
DD
MountainDragon
Reply #9 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 4:54 PM
Reply #9 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 4:54 PM
DigitalDanes: If you're in DX Builder mode (right-click DX icon in system tray, select Switch to builder):
1. Right-click on the object, select properties, go to the States tab
2. You'll notice that the image being used is "christmas lights.png". Cancel out of the properties.
3. Now, you'll need to find that file on your drive. The easiest way is from the DX configuration dialog.
4. Right-click on the DX icon in the system tray, select Configure DesktopX Builder...
5. On the Desktop tab, select Open desktop data folder.
6. The file from (2) above should be in there.
7. Load the file into an image editor, and rotate it how you want, making sure to save to a different name.
8. Back to the object, right-click, select Clone.
9. Right-click the new one, select properties, go to the States tab.
10. Browse to your new, rotated image, select it, Ok out of properties, and you should be good to go.
11. Repeat for each side.
Hope that helps.
1. Right-click on the object, select properties, go to the States tab
2. You'll notice that the image being used is "christmas lights.png". Cancel out of the properties.
3. Now, you'll need to find that file on your drive. The easiest way is from the DX configuration dialog.
4. Right-click on the DX icon in the system tray, select Configure DesktopX Builder...
5. On the Desktop tab, select Open desktop data folder.
6. The file from (2) above should be in there.
7. Load the file into an image editor, and rotate it how you want, making sure to save to a different name.
8. Back to the object, right-click, select Clone.
9. Right-click the new one, select properties, go to the States tab.
10. Browse to your new, rotated image, select it, Ok out of properties, and you should be good to go.
11. Repeat for each side.
Hope that helps.
DigitalDanes
Reply #11 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 5:23 PM
Reply #11 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 5:23 PM
Basically, I'll need to find the image and rotate it in the image editor program (PSP, PS, etc), resave the rotated file as a new name and then add it where the original was in the States and resave the object with a new name, correct? I didn't know that you could save new objects in DesktopX (I don't have Pro, just the basic one that comes with ODNT). That's cool....now I can change the colors on other items backgrounds to match my color scheme at the moment...LOL Thanks tons, Mountain Dragon!
And PS..many thanks to our resident Troll for the offer of help (even if MD beat you to the punch). Can I send you a troll cookie for your efforts???
DD
And PS..many thanks to our resident Troll for the offer of help (even if MD beat you to the punch). Can I send you a troll cookie for your efforts???
DD
MountainDragon
Reply #12 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:06 PM
Reply #12 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:06 PM
DD: The key to making a new object is the Clone command in the context menu.
As far as changing colors goes, if you're using objects (as opposed to Widgets run as .exe) then you could use my Color Adjuster to do it very easily. Link
As far as changing colors goes, if you're using objects (as opposed to Widgets run as .exe) then you could use my Color Adjuster to do it very easily. Link
Bichur
Reply #13 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:17 PM
Reply #13 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:17 PM
Instead of cloning I just created new objects using rotated pics. I always screw up cloning somehow.
Trollhouse Cookie?
Diff betw the standard and Pro is Pro will export gadgets.
The standard is cool. MD's color adjuster rocks.
Trollhouse Cookie?
Diff betw the standard and Pro is Pro will export gadgets.
The standard is cool. MD's color adjuster rocks.
Island Dog
Reply #14 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:27 PM
Reply #14 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:27 PM
I never though that people might want the lights on the side of their desktop. I guess I could make horizontal versions and put them all in a .zip and upload them again.
Bichur
Reply #15 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:35 PM
Reply #15 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:35 PM
| I guess I could make horizontal versions and put them all in a .zip and upload them again. |
CerebroJD
Reply #16 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:44 PM
Reply #16 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 6:44 PM
Hold on there, cowpokes. Why not just toss a script in a string of lights:
That should work for ya, instead of image editing.
|
Sub Object_OnScriptEnter() Object.Rotation = 90 End Sub |
DigitalDanes
Reply #17 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 7:11 PM
Reply #17 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 7:11 PM
I like the idea of not having to edit an image (especially if there's more than one object to have to edit - I hate animation and working with multiple frames of things and I haven't got the slightest clue as to how the lights actually "flash" in ID's object).
MD: I figured out the clone (It took 3 "strands" of lights to do the top of my screen), but cloning the orignal object didn't let me change the direction of them...it just makes copies of the lights in their downward hanging direction and I wanted to put them around my desktop's edge (so the lights need to face upwards and left and right).
Mod CJD: How do I add this script to the lights object so that it can be rotated 90, 180, and 270 degrees? And for each time I rotate (add the script to the object) do I need to save the object as a new name and then "activate" each object (then clone that one for as many as I need to do the edge)?
Told ya...I'm a true basic user when it comes to DX (I love my Aquarium and Natural Desktops though...LOL).
PS~ On a totally unrelated subject...I seem to have lost the ability to download files from the net when they are linked. Example: If I purchase a program online and they have a link to download the .exe file I just LEFT clicked the link text and it gave me the Run, Save, Cancel dialog box. Now...nada. Just a quick flash of the progress bar at the bottom of the IE window but no dialog and option to run or save the file to my drive. I don't know what caused it (I was playing with IconX before it happened, but I doubt that was the cause, but who knows..lol). Anyone know how to fix the problem...I hate RIGHT clicking and choosing Save Target As.
DD
MD: I figured out the clone (It took 3 "strands" of lights to do the top of my screen), but cloning the orignal object didn't let me change the direction of them...it just makes copies of the lights in their downward hanging direction and I wanted to put them around my desktop's edge (so the lights need to face upwards and left and right).
Mod CJD: How do I add this script to the lights object so that it can be rotated 90, 180, and 270 degrees? And for each time I rotate (add the script to the object) do I need to save the object as a new name and then "activate" each object (then clone that one for as many as I need to do the edge)?
Told ya...I'm a true basic user when it comes to DX (I love my Aquarium and Natural Desktops though...LOL).
PS~ On a totally unrelated subject...I seem to have lost the ability to download files from the net when they are linked. Example: If I purchase a program online and they have a link to download the .exe file I just LEFT clicked the link text and it gave me the Run, Save, Cancel dialog box. Now...nada. Just a quick flash of the progress bar at the bottom of the IE window but no dialog and option to run or save the file to my drive. I don't know what caused it (I was playing with IconX before it happened, but I doubt that was the cause, but who knows..lol). Anyone know how to fix the problem...I hate RIGHT clicking and choosing Save Target As.
DD
CerebroJD
Reply #18 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 9:18 PM
Reply #18 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 9:18 PM
Just need to add the script and apply it. Change the 90 as needed.
DigitalDanes
Reply #19 Thursday, November 17, 2005 1:04 AM
Reply #19 Thursday, November 17, 2005 1:04 AM
I've still got some time before I put up my lights, so maybe I'll just hang a bit and see if ID will make a zip of them and then I can concentrate on untangling myself from the Christmas wrap and ribbon 
On a side note, it must have been something on the webpage I was downloading from; I control/refreshed the page and the click to download ability is back (no more Save Target As...yeah!)
B: Do you like the chunky style Trollhouse, regular, or the new white and dark swirled morsel type? And do you have a mailbox at your stump or do I need to send them to a PO Box?
DD
On a side note, it must have been something on the webpage I was downloading from; I control/refreshed the page and the click to download ability is back (no more Save Target As...yeah!)B: Do you like the chunky style Trollhouse, regular, or the new white and dark swirled morsel type? And do you have a mailbox at your stump or do I need to send them to a PO Box?
DD
MountainDragon
Reply #20 Thursday, November 17, 2005 1:22 AM
I guess I did give DD quite a bit to do, just to avoid a simple script.
Reply #20 Thursday, November 17, 2005 1:22 AM
| Hold on there, cowpokes. Why not just toss a script in a string of lights: |
I guess I did give DD quite a bit to do, just to avoid a simple script.
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Reply #1 Tuesday, November 15, 2005 2:28 PM
From Link:
What is the difference between versions of DesktopX?
If you just want to run other people's stuff, just get the DesktopX client. It lets you run the objects, widgets, and themes. It has almost no user interface so it's very easy to use.
If you want to create your own desktop or objects or widgets you need DesktopX Standard. It can run everything too but it includes the development environment that lets you quickly create this stuff -- right on your desktop.
If you're a software developer (or artist who isn't afraid of a little JavaScript or VB Script) with some ambition, that's where DesktopX Pro comes in. It lets you export your widget as a gadget. Gadgets are the same as widgets except they don't require any run-times to be installed. The .EXE you create can be sent to anyone with Windows 2000 or XP and run there.