Aqua-Like Multifunctions

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi,

A developer usually tries to offer the user the Maximum functions. This sometimes leads to a lot of Mouse wheels scrolls, as it is difficult to concentrate these functions in only one area of the Layout.

The tabbed interface certainly offered a lot of answers to these concerns by providing a very dynamic way to jump from records to records.

But when it comes to "Functions"....

This tip, using J.M. Osborne Visibility and an Aqua-Like Interface, tries to offfer another answer.

Included also is a "Save Found Set" and "Save Flag Set" method, particularly helpful when the user would be often moving from records to records in order to "flag, mark or lock" these.

Thanks for any comment or "bugs" you found.

Happy holidays...

AquaMultiFunctions.fp5.zip

[ernst]

Hi Ugo,

Just a tip: If you draw a circle, make it invisible, and attach a button to that, you get an even nicer 'highlight' when you click on a round button. (For the previous, next etc. buttons)

Likewise, to get the a nice highlight on the tabs, you can use a square, add a few shorter lines to the left & right, and define that as button.

And to finish it of, for buttons like the 'Start demo' button you can use a square, with a circle on the left and a circle on the right.

Try it, the results are really nice!

By the way, are you already using OSX? The developer software that comes with that (or that you can download) has got an application called 'Interface builder'. Really nice to steal buttons, scrollbars etc. from !

Regards,

Ernst

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Hi Ernst,

I went a little quick on these, sorry. As you may see, the buttons in the "toolbox" are using these settings. I'll try to fix all these though.

I'm not using OSX, but probably will in the near future. Thanks.

[ernst]

>> I went a little quick on these, sorry.<<

Hey Ugo, I was absolutely not meaning to give you a work-order... Just a tip!

Best regards,

Ernst.

[Ugo DI LUCA]

Ernst,

As one of the purpose of this scripted Interface was to reduce the amount of flashing, you're absolutely right on that one.

What about the demo itself ?

[ernst]

Hi Ugo,

I specially like the artwork of the round buttons, and the way they can become grey when not active. I think you should include some form of Tool-tips when a button does not have text though.

Regards,

Ernst.

[Ugo DI LUCA]

ernst said:

I think you should include some form of Tool-tips when a button does not have text though.

Sorry I don't get it. Which ones are you talking about ?

[ernst]

Those in the hidden toolbox.

Regards,

Ernst.

[Leb i Sol]

here is some more "useless" info on icons....use FONTS in any of your image editing tools like Photoshop.

Fonts are free.. http://www.fontfreak.com

so if u need a "different" header/title/tab/button/icon...why not use them.

more on cross-platform:

http://www.macworld.com/2000/08/features/fonts/

do a "save as" for better view of the image