Modifying my layout for a new device is giving me some grief

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Mickster

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When I designed my app, I tailored it for 10.1 inch tablets of resolution 1280x800. This was the ideal size and resolution.

Since then I decided it would be pretty cool to get a nexus 7 running my app as well. The nexus 7 has a very similar resolution, so I thought that converting my layouts wouldn't be that much of an issue. I realise that the screens have very different PPIs, but I thought the purpose of the layourt variants in designer was to design to various resolutions.

Anyway, the app doesn't display well at all. I created a new variant with the nexus specs which causes designer to spread my GUI elements off the screen (compensating for the increased PPI?)

I have a ton of layouts and they're all fairly complex so rebuilding them individually would be a nightmare.

Could someone please explain what I'm seeing?
 
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Harris

Harris

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I "had" the same problem.

I created many different layout variants to support many different screen sizes and densities... WRONG! (what a mess trying to support layouts this way)

The only way is with DS. Takes a while, but the results are worth it. Version 2.2 (yet to be released) seems to advance / possibly simplify our efforts with new methods.

:sign0089:
 
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Mickster

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I'm personally not a fan of designer scripts. I tried to use them to design my layouts a while ago and had a few frustrating issues with erratic behaviour.

Thanks for the advice, though :)
 
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Harris

Harris

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I have issues. Probably me however...

I do %x and %y (left/right - top/bottom) based on the parent (ie. views owned by a panel). Sometime it works fine (starting out), other times I have to add insane coords to make it fit. Other times I give up and use coords based on the activity size (full screen).

Seems the further I get in designing - the more problematic this becomes.

Most of my variants have many labels, edits controls and buttons - owned by respective panels . Simple designs work best (two labels, two buttons on a panel) - complex can be maddening at times.

I can make it work but it takes much friggin around. Perhaps this is what Mickster is referring to? :sign0163:
 
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Harris

Harris

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Mickster - please define your experience if you can - or anyone else.

DS is too important to let go not fully functional.

It is very simple to create a layout to fit a specific form size/density. The fun begins when you want it to fit all - portrait and landscape.

In many cases, trying to "fit all" is not practical. My design is best viewed in landscape, due to specific design. It will format in portrait but looks stretched and crappy. I could spend the extra time and make it fit using the Variant specific script, but (currently) my time is better spent. The option is there however.... (or for the user - use in landscape).

Erel has done a very good job to date trying to come to terms with global issue. Let us support his continued efforts - cause if it was easy - we would have had this licked back in version 1.0

My note: this is the ONLY thing Crapple doesn't have to deal with - yet...

Thanks

:sign0089:
 
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Harris

Harris

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I have read, re-read and studied some more. Used simple examples posted by others.

Don't know what to say...

Everything goes great - until it goes sideways... Soon, I learn.
 
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Harris

Harris

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Thanks, will do.

please send 2.2 beta and i shall try this out with my designs and report back.

Thanks
 
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Mickster

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My project has evolved a lot since I was using DS, so it's hard for me to to fully explain the issues I was having. I remember the problem was with the positioning of labels, specifically. When alternating between landscape and portrait, I couldn't get the gravity of my labels to stay constant, even in very very basic programs. At the time I hadn't invested much into designer scripts and I hadn't seen anyone else complain about it so I figured it was probably an anomaly and I left it there.
 
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M

Mickster

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My note: this is the ONLY thing Crapple doesn't have to deal with - yet...
Click to expand...

Actually, XCode caters quite well for the iOS devices. The Devs don't need to worry about various resolutions and dpi, just the different screen sizes. They currently only have three screen sizes and if rumours are true, there'll be a fourth one coming up. So they just select the device they're making the program for and...make it. Simple :)
 
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