Help w/ container fields

[MsqedMan]

I am trying to put together a training program, and need help in getting container fields to respond properly. I have a field "fader.1.level" which is a pop up list, and a global container "fader.1.position" I also have a table with the two fields "fader.position" and "fader.position.graphic", from which to pull the graphics.

I have added the relationship "fader.1.level" --> "Graphics::fader.position", and the popup list is in fact the list of "Graphics::fader.position"

I would like the user to choose the "fader.1.level" from the pop up list, and have the fader position be shown for them.

I am just stumped how to do this, as this is further down into FMP than I have ever been.

Thank you for this fabulous resource!

T

[MsqedMan]

I may have solved my own problem... silly me, looking too deeply for the answer. All I had to do was change the field to "graphics::fader.position.graphic" and it does what I wanted it to do.

But, if anyone else wants to chime in and tell me a better or cooler way, I am all about learning more about FMP. One can never know too much!!!

Thanks,

T

[MsqedMan]

OK, I'm confusing myself now. I need to pick, from a popup list, a number, which needs to place, into a container field, a graphic that I have already determined. There are 11 numeric choices, corresponding to 11 graphics. I need to repeat this 16 times in my layout. As I posted before, I have a table, with 11 records, each with 2 fields, "Graphics::Fader.Position" and "Graphics::Fader.Position.graphic" The latter is a container with a simple drawing in it, the former is a number. What am I missing here?

[Fenton]

What I believe you're missing is a correct use of relationships and related fields. If you pick a number from "fader.1.level" (number field) and it is related to "fader.position" (number field) in the Graphics table, then you should see the correct graphic as "Graphics::fader.position.graphic" (related field on the layout).

I don't really know what global container "fader.1.position" has to do with anything. There's no need to fill a global container to see the graphic.

As far as "repeating" it 16 times on the layout, that sounds suspect to me. If you have to make 16 choices for what you think of as "one record," then you need a join table between your 2 existing tables, to handle the 16. Then you can view the 16 "through" the join table, to the graphics, as portals, each showing however many rows that you want, to fit your layout.

If there's room for 4 portals across, the first portal would start at 1, show 4. The next would start at 5, show 4. Etc.. Or any other arrangement.

The join table relationship, from the parent to the join, could "allow creation of related records." Then the choice numbers, which are in the choice table, could also be in portals. I would think 1-row portals, starting at 1, 2, 3, etc., so you can put them right next to their graphic.

Choosing a number would create a record in the join, and the graphic would appear. You would have to do this in order, because only the "next" portal row would be able to create the new join record.

I don't really see how you could have only 11 graphics but 16 choices. So I could be all wrong. And the graphics of the method above would BE the originals, if that matters.

[MsqedMan]

Hey Fenton,

Ok, so this is where I was last night when I was working on this. Here is the situation. I am training sound board operators on a new show. The console will have up to 16 faders in each cue. I am calling each cue a record. So what I am trying to do, is by inputing a number, which is one of eleven possibilites, this will show a graphic representation of where the fader would be on the real console. I am using the Graphics table only as a storage place for the 11 possible fader positions, but in the operating table, I have 16 fader positions or slots.

I think I am looking for a calculation to fill in the appropriate graphic, no? something like, if fader.1.level = 0, then graphic #9. I just need to do this 16 times on each record. I have never posted an example here before, I may try and do that. It may help try and explain what I am doing. If I can figure this out, I have another project which will use the same type of system. And the learning is tremendous!!!

thanks, Fenton...

[Fenton]

Well, I don't really know what a fader looks like. My sound board experience is limited to the equalizer in iTunes :-]

It sounds as if you could just use a global container field to visually show your positions. It would have 11 repetitions. Each graphic would be a little longer then the one before; or maybe have a cute bump for the position. Like I said, I don't know what it looks like, nor do I know your graphics skills or time frame.

The calculation would just be:

GetRepetition ( global container, Fader Position field )

Fader Position field being a number field, data being numbers from 1 to 11.

Now, about the 16 faders, you could either create 16 fields (with 16 more for the container calculation), or use a related table, with only 2 fields. Either would work. It really depends on what you're going to do with this data, if anything. If very little, then the 16 fields would be OK. But a related table would be more flexible, for reporting, scripting, importing, etc..

[MsqedMan]

Fenton,

Now I am concerned that the answer is a lot easier than first expected, and I am digging too deeply here. Let me see if I can explain my project this way. Each record in a table called 'Cues' has a field 'title', and for some reason, 16 fields called clock.1, clock.2, etc and 16 fields called time.1, time.2, etc. I would like to, in a pull down menu in time.1, choose '3PM' and have an analogue clock picture show the hands of the clock at 3 and 12 in clock.1. I would do this for all 16 occurences in each record. I have, in another table w/ 2 fields, 'time' and 'clock.face.graphic'. The field 'time' creates the pull down menu.

I have a relationship between 'time' on the first table, and 'time' on the graphics table. I can get this to work one time by putting the graphics::clock.face.graphic on the first layout, but any subsequent repetitions of that will show the same 3 pm.

Now I am wondering if container fields are even needed in this application. Thoughts?

Thank you for your input thus far! (I love filemaker pro!!!)

T

[Fenton]

Well, now we are back to graphics in a field, though you could also do this with repetitions. Anyway, if you're going to do the field1, field2, etc., then you're going to need relationship1, relationship2, etc.. Multiple fields on the left side, pointing to the same time field in the graphics table.

time1=::time

time2=::time

etc..

Each relationship can then produce an independent graphic matching its source field's time, as a related field. No need for a portal.

[minor_rant]

In a proper relational structure, then there'd be just one time=::time relationship, with a join table to handle the 16. Then you'd use a portal, as I first posted. In your situation I doubt it really matters; but personally I wouldn't want the clutter of 16 fields and 16 table occurrences, if it can be easily avoided.

I think a lot of these flat "field1, field2, etc.." structures are left over from FileMaker 2, where you had no relationships, and from 3-6, where you had to create another file for relationships. But they are obsolete in 7, where it is easy to just create another little join table. The relationship can see right through the intermediate join table occurrence.

[/minor_rant]

It will take longer to draw the clocks than to make the FileMaker files. If you have trouble figuring it out, upload a small file, with a few little clocks, and I (or someone) can probably put it together correctly. Zip it. Not tonight though. Late here on the west coast; and I am obviously getting cranky :-|

[MsqedMan]

Hello Fenton,

I am sorry it took so long to get back with this, but my real job gets in the way sometimes!!!

Anyway, I put together a very small file. I think where I am confused is the 'join table' I have to do more reading. All my work so far in FMPro has been relatively simple by the standards posed here, but I am still learning a bunch!

So, what I want to do here is to choose the time, and have a clock represent the chosen time.

Man, why can't I wrap my head around this?

Thank you for your time,

T

[Fenton]

I'm not getting anything when I click your Attachment, not that I can see anyway.

[MsqedMan]

Sorry about that.

Perhaps try this...

Clocks1.fp7.zip