Windows Widgets!

[DerVVulfman]

Windows Widgets!
Version: 1.2

based on Ryex's Mouse Window API 2.0 from 2010

Introduction

This system is not intended so much as a game development tool as it is a system to allow one to simulate a Windows™ desktop or like environment within their project.  In fact, it could be used to fashion actual applications which can be used by others.

The basis of this massive script is thanks to Ryex  who released his work to the world in November 2010.  To this day,  Ryex's work is still available to download:  http://www.mediafire.com/?yadjiyv2kkshbkj

This system contains more features than the original, adding combo-boxes, access to drives and file lists, and more. Apart from rudimentary objects such as picture boxes,  or sublime features  such as timers,  this system may be able to craft that which you desire.


Features

• Create/Simulate actual Drag-n-Drop or Fixed-place Windows in your project
  
• Buttons, Check Boxes, Scrolling Lists and Combo Boxes
  
• Drive, Folder and File Lists available
  

Video

Demo

(Lookie Lookie!  Got a Clickie-Clickie!)
*  A Box.com download. You will not see a preview.
    The download button in the screen is in the top right



Script

Dear gawd... no.  There are over twenty scripts for the widgets alone, not counting the Aleworks  Input, support and demonstration scripts!



Instructions

It is not recommended to copy/paste scripts from the demo into another project, but to use the demo as a basis for your work.  If you prefer a different mouse and keyboard script than Aleworks Write Lite, do note they must be adaptable to the system with variations of Input.release? or DoubleClick for the mouse, and a wrapper for any keyboard script to hold and store text typed by the user.



Future Options

The creation of matching "Picture' and 'image' boxes that exist within some software compilers like Visual Studio. And the creation of a keyboard controller system to allow one to use the TAB button to cycle through active widgets or use defined widget hotkeys  (Example:   Exit  ... on a button, the X underlined means Ctrl+x triggers the button)



FAQ

THIS TOOK FOREVER!!!!  



Compatibility

Designed with RPGMaker XP, but using straight RUBY code for the mostpart. For users of HiddenChest by kyonides, or any variation of MKXP which contains no access to the Win32API, there is a WIN32_USAGE switch to turn off.  Its only function is to allow detection of what drive type (CD/Flash/HD) is detected within the Drive Box widget, used to show the appropriate drive icon.



Credits and Thanks

Clearly to Ryex for the original 2010 script, and to vgvgf for the Aleworks system.
Acknowledgement to SephirothSpawn for the MACL "Draw a Circle" Bitmap method



Terms and Conditions

For use free and clear, even in commercial projects.  However due credit for myself, Ryex and whomever supplied your mouse/keyboard script is necessary.

[DerVVulfman]

BUMP

to version 1.1

At long last, the ability to use (some semblance) of a faster double-click option has been correctly implemented. Using the ALEWORKS system for mouse input, it offered the ability to control how fast/slow would be the response time for mouse double-clicks. However, to make that feature more accessible, I placed the values within the Widget's Mouse Configuration page, not realizing that code to access the Windows double-click timing option would be over-written. Since then, it has now been addressed.

Issues with the dropdown lists from Combo-boxes have also been addressed. No longer will widgets such as buttons, checkboxes or the like which are overlapped by Combo-boxes be activated by accident. Widget priorities are now addressed.

Meanwhile, I wrote a (laughably called) Quick Start guide of sorts.

Quick Start? Its over 1200 lines long!

It covers the meager basics, not delving into the properties or methods of all the widgets and classes therin. However, it does try to explain the rudimentaries for creating and using OS-resembling windows.

Between other projects, I am working on an editor for ... would you believe a message system lip sync (think Oblivion/Skyrim)... and this is the basis. Its going to need an overhaul. However, as the work progresses, more changes to Windows Widgets may appear.

That, and I do want to make a technical manual to describe the syntax of most widget commands.

[DerVVulfman]

BUMP

to version 1.2

Now included, a comprehensive Technical guide on the properties usable with the package.  A complete 5900 line long guide of sorts; though as any technical manual... be prepared for a long ride.

But that's not all!

• I created a new configuration page just to handle Storage devices.  Ya know... your hard drives, CDs, and flash drives.
  • Because of that, I moved the config values covering their graphics out of the Basic Configuration page.
    
  • And moreso, the file extensions recognized by the Filebox Widget are no longer hardcoded as it too is now configurable
    
• I deleted an  un-used refresh method from the WidgetFrame Class.  It was no more than a duplicate of what already existed
  
• I removed an unnecessary line that appeared in the Listbox Widget class
  
• And I removed an unused filenames variable from FileSys class.  Only the drive and pathways need to be memorized for the service.
  
• For safety reasons, I added safeguards to the Windows class so negative boundary values cannot accidentally be added.
  
• I deleted unused handler methods from both the Window class and the Background class.
  
• A minor alteration was made to the Right-Click Window class so the window border is now configurable.
  
• Major work was needed to the add_item method within the List Widget class
  • This issue affected all classes that depended upon the List widget (Listboxes, Comboboxes, Right-Click window... etc.)
    
  • For some reason, the standard insert property for arrays was not functioning, forcing the rewrite.
    
• The visible= property is now available for all widgets, with some special considerations
  • Base widgets are drawn on the contents window. If the contents window has a background applied, making a widget invisible will erase that part of the background
    
  • Widgets with scrollboxes have their visibility tied to the window in which they are drawn, and cannot be changed by the property.
    
• The FileBox window now lists all the files shown in alphabetic order
  
• Fixed an issue where files within the filebox were not showing their proper file extension icon
  

Indeed, the latest version of Windows Widgets had some work applied.

Still, some things I may wish to tackle:

• Creating a secondary contents layer so the contents background layer is not adversely hampered by a widget's visibility status
  
• Creating a PictureBox widget 
  
• An extension to the Keyboard control system to [Tab] can cycle through widgets, and hotkeys can be defined