Android Question Designer script commands.

[MrKim]

Is there a list of commands that are available in designer scripts? Or even better perhaps an example that would show how to do a really complex layout - 20 to 40 views arrayed on multiple panels?

I keep getting told I should use anchors and designer script instead of variants but I have not been successful with this. For example my layouts may change depending on screen size not resolution, which I have been doing in code because I didn't think that GetDeviceLayoutValues would be available designer scripts. Also, I have a lot of view on panels which may change depending on res./screen size. They didn't seem to place properly with anchors. It is not clear to me, is an anchor relative to the activity, or it's parent?

 

[NJDude]

Ok, look at the attached sample, as you will see I do not use ANY variants, just 1 script and I'm able to properly display the layout on ANY device and in ANY orientation and will work on ANY resolution (like I mentioned on another thread, you will have to create a layout for Portrait and Landscape, which is also what I've done on that simplified example).

Yes, it is that simple.

I hope this helps.

 

[BillMeyer]

Brilliant !! - Thanks !!

 

[MrKim]

I have tried it. I find it tedious, difficult, onerous. Great for simple layouts, but more complex ones - no.
If the anchors worked off the panels they are on it would be great! I could set the panels and be done But it appears they don't, they all ref the activity regardless of the panel they are on which means every single view must be placed in code.

 

[NJDude]

Seems like you have a fixation with anchors, well, I have news for you, you DON'T have to use anchors all the time (or at all). The example I posted is indeed simple but the logic is the same no matter how complex the layout is, I have written apps with complex layouts and yes, they take time to create and fine tune but they work on ANY device and I do have only 1 script.

What you should do is to take a step back and look at what you currently have, to me, it looks like you have a mess, so, I recommend you reconsider your solution.

If you think that you can design a complex layout with 3 lines of code or that "anchors" are a sort of a magical tool that will do things for you automagically you are just kidding yourself.

 

[Erel]

If the anchors worked off the panels they are on it would be great!

Anchors are relative to the parent. If a view is inside a panel then its anchors will be relative to the panel.

Anchors are very useful when you want to anchor a view to one or both of the sides. For other cases you should use the designer script.

 

[Erel]

Worth reading this tutorial: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/b4x-anchors-demonstrated.64112/#content

 

[MrKim]

Anchors are relative to the parent. If a view is inside a panel then its anchors will be relative to the panel.

Anchors are very useful when you want to anchor a view to one or both of the sides. For other cases you should use the designer script.

I love the idea, they just never seem to do what I want (or expect) them to do. I will try to budget some time to experiment.

 

[MrKim]

Worth reading this tutorial: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/b4x-anchors-demonstrated.64112/#content

Helpful, but I am still looking for a list of Designer specific commands. For example I just discovered .SetLeftAndRight and .SetTopAndBottom which appear to be available in designer scripts, but not regular code.
...And look! Just stumbled across HorizontalCenter and VerticalCenter! I have been calcing those for years!
What else have I been missing?

And Erel - Kudos - you guys do an amazing job. My partner and I are a two man company with multiple applications comprising more than 350 Forms (activities) and 180 reports across 180 different tables. I know it is always more fun to add new features than document the old ones!

 

[Cableguy]

When dealing with very complex layouts, prefer to create and arrange all views by code, delegating a sub for it

 

[NJDude]

When dealing with very complex layouts, prefer to create and arrange all views by code, delegating a sub for it

That's not really a good approach, you should leave the UI stuff to the designer and the logic to the code, easier to maintain and support.

 

[Cableguy]

That's not really a good approach, you should leave the UI stuff to the designer and the logic to the code, easier to maintain and support.

An "I" is missing im my post, and it should read "I prefer", as it is just that, my preference. Designer scripts and anchors are great, but i like the way reading code trigers a visual response in my brain

 

[klaus]

Helpful, but I am still looking for a list of Designer specific commands.

I'm afraid that you never had a look at the B4A Beginner's Guide nor at the B4X Visual Designer Booklet.

 

[MrKim]

I'm afraid that you never had a look at the B4A Beginner's Guide nor at the B4X Visual Designer Booklet.

Read the beginners guide years ago. Wasn't aware of the Visual Designer Booklet. Just what I needed, has the Keywords - just what I was looking for. Thanks.

 

[klaus]

RTFM is often your friend .

 

[MrKim]

RTFM is often your friend .

RTFM is often your friend .

Well, you have to know there is one!

 

[Cableguy]

Read the beginners guide years ago.

Apparently you knew it existed....

 

[MrKim]

Apparently you knew it existed....

No, Klaus mentioned it see post above.