Opening Splash Screen

[mhudd]

I have created a script that runs a splash screen when the DB is opened. The script "maximizes" the window when it opens. My problem is that as the DB opens it's REAL obvious the screen is resizing and it looks kinda bush league.

Is there a technique I can use to open the splash screen to full screen without all the resizing stuff going on?

[The Bridge]

Try the Freeze Window script step before doing the resize.

[mhudd]

I tried it and it still shows the resizing going on...

[Steven H. Blackwell]

Try opening and maximizing on a neutral gray layout with nothing on it. THen navigate to your splash screen. That may work better for you.

Old Advance Man

[mhudd]

That seemed like a great idea. I tried it and the resizing is still showing.

[Korky]

Run your resizing script on'Close'. I think you will find that on reopening the file it will be to the correct size instantly.

[Vaughan]

Hey Korky: that's an interesting suggestion. I like ideas that "do the opposite"!

[mhudd]

I tried running the resize script in the close script, however filemaker is pretty determined!

Problem still exists... this is so frustrating.

[Korky]

Sorry!You are correct. The only way I can get the opening screen to size smoothly is to use the 'Zoom'option. Try this:-

In layout view extend the lowest part downwards so that it continues 'off-screen'. Draw a graphic,such as a line, well to the right of your layout so that it ,too,is off-screen.

In your start-up script, use the 'Zoom' rather than the 'Maximise'option.The screen will zoom to the borders defined by the lowest layout part and the rightmost object.

Although the window is not technically maximised you should have a similar view. If, as is usually the case, you are pausing the script at the splash-screen then resuming,you can carry out any fine adjustments in the remaining script steps.

This is as close as I can get to the ideal solution.I would still do a close script as well to hide the status area and zoom the window; it will also anchor the window to the top left-hand corner.

Regards

[Korky]

Oh dear. I've just noticed something else.If the window is maximised at the time the close script is run,zooming leads to the same problem. I tried 'Toggle Window-Restore' and that worked ok on reopening

Regards

[Vaughan]

Not sure if this will help, but I've found that FMP windows on Windows are a royal PITA. If one window is minimised or Restored, they all seem to drop out of the maximised state.

The only solution I've found to tame the beast is to make sure that every ******* window is maximised, even related files that aren't necessary for the interface (like joins).

Keep them *all* maximised, and use the "Refresh Window [bring to front]" script step to move windows around as the interface requires. But keep them all maximised.

Every file has a startup script that includes "Toggle Window [maximise]" in it.

[mhudd]

It has occurred to me that perhaps the fundamental window resizing window problems is a basic difference between Windows and Macs.

I simply don't think it's possible to achieve what I want on a Windows machine. No matter what technique I try, Windows wants to show the process of "maximizing." And that's what I'm trying to eliminate.

I know it's possible to do because I've seen it on a program written by Lupien Consulting in the free "contacts" DB they provide.

When you open the program there is NO evidence of windows maximizing. It goes full screen right the splash screen. It’s elegant looking.

[dynaflash]

First off. No question about it. Windows SUCKS to work with as far as appearance. If you are used to a mac then you will always be disappointed with your solution in windows.

Now, all you can do is try to minimize the damage! Are you running this solution in "kiosk" mode?

Exactly what script steps are you using to determine window size?

I use:

Go to layout (splash screen)

Toggle Status Area (hide)

Toggle Window (zoom)

Set Zoom (100%)

These steps will set your window to the right and bottom most objects in your slash screen layout.

Lock or unlock is your decision, doesnt seem to affect speed.

The big hassle in kiosk mode is that all layouts after the initial layout when you open needs to be the same or smaller than your opening layout or you get scroll bars. Also, the scrollbars take up more pixels in windows than in mac (just like fonts show larger in win than mac).

One note: from EXTENSIVE testing on my soon to be released solution, Windows just seems to be slower at adjusting window sizing. Same script steps on a mac are much smoother than on a windows machine which is faster than the mac. Must be something in the OS. Also, make your splash screen graphics as small (file size) as you can. Larger graphics seem to slow Win down.

Hope this helps. Bad thing about solutions: they make you have to deal with windows.

[Rigsby]

LOL:

Windows has its ticks, but then again so do Macs!

The problem with a Windows machine is that you find a solution that works on one machine but not on the next! However, try this, as it works for me:

Open a file with open minimized command, run any other script steps you have and then maximize.

[mhudd]

Do you mean use the toggle window command when opening?

[Rigsby]

No! You need a startup file, which in turn opens all your other files. When you select the script command "Open" you can check a box that say open minimized. Then later in the script use the toggle window maximize, or what I do is just hide the whole thing (i.e. the minimized files behind a dummy screen) then use the bring to front command. You need to play around with this until you find what you want!