41 replies to this topic

[uuf6429]

First this is just a working WIP dll, which is open to suggestions.
Dialogs:
- Get Folder extended
- HTML Editor
- Progress dialog
- EULA dialog
- Custom Message box

Special thanks to Sleek Geek for showing a general Delphi dll framework.
Also to the Borland Corp. for giving out Delphi7 Personal for free.
Download here: SuperDialogs.zip.
Regards,
Victor

[-!MBC!- R3D R3AP3R]

not bad but i would much rather use Max WinAPI for the dialogues. Plus GM7 comes with an extension that includes a lot of dialogues.


The only unique thing about this is the HTML editor wich gave me an idea for a new project. By the way, it gives an error when you right click and then try left clicking back to the page, something about the resource already been in use.

[uuf6429]

You'd rather to include this in your final project, as it is too buggy. I hope i'll fix most bugs soon. I also need more ideas, i'll do any type of dialog. Just ask.
Regards,
Victor

[-!MBC!- R3D R3AP3R]

A good dialogue to add would be like a progress bar in a small window with text underneath telling you what its doing.

Like on an installer the progress bar goes up and underneath it would have some text saying something like "Copying file: myfile.exe".

You would have to sort out the fact that the GM window freezes when using the dialogues though so you could keep passing information to the window such as the text and what position to set the progress bar to. I suggest you allow the dll to have its own thread so the game doesnt freeze.


That would be a great addition

[uuf6429]

Yes thats a good idea i'll make one. About the freezing gm window, well that would be as i made it to freeze, ie when editing the document or finding a folder the gm program should freeze, but i made it so it would freeze. In this case i could also make it unfreezable for this purpose.
Regards,
Victor

[-!MBC!- R3D R3AP3R]

The best thing to do is make this DLL unique, add things that no other dll has yet. It would be good to work on that HTML editor thing as that has some potential. I know this would be hard, but maybe you could add syntax coloring and error checking. that WOULD take some work but it would be great.

Like the idea i suggested before, i dont think i have ever seen a dialogue DLL with that on before, i usually have to make my own with an API DLL such as hobbels.


I dont know if this is possible but another good one would be a dialogue that pens up and shows the users webcam and at the click of a button, save a snapshot.

An EULA window, i have seen one of these before. Basically it shows text from a text file and the user must click a checkbox to agree to these terms, the dll will then return say, 1 and if they dont check the box then 0. This would be good for installers and things like that. Or maybe show the games EULA the first time it is run.

Also, be sure to add the common dialogues such as the message box, inut box and question boxes.


Victor, when this is finnished, in my eyes this may be the best DLL you have ever made


EDIT: Oh, and i suggest you make it so the user of the DLL can choose whether the game window freezes, now that WOULD be usefull

Edited by -!MBC!- R3D R3AP3R, 08 March 2007 - 01:49 PM.

[Sindarin]

I'd like to see non bold font for the browser dialog. The typo fixed (you say "Cancle" instead of "Cancel"), and when you right click on the folder tree, the "About" menu item should be removed, it is just not nice to enforce credit unless really you want to. Maybe a little more customizable too.

Oh, and i suggest you make it so the user of the DLL can choose whether the game window freezes, now that WOULD be usefull

I don't think this is possible, because it is a dialog.

Edited by Sindarin, 09 March 2007 - 12:21 PM.

[-!MBC!- R3D R3AP3R]

Oh, and i suggest you make it so the user of the DLL can choose whether the game window freezes, now that WOULD be usefull

I don't think this is possible, because it is a dialog.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well he did say that he is the one that chooses whether the game freezes or not so i figure that it would be possible.

[uuf6429]

It is possible. '.ShowModal' freezes GM while '.show' doesn't.
I'll work -!MBC!-.. ideas.

Edit:

I'd like to see non bold font for the browser dialog.

I thought the font was too small.

The typo fixed (you say "Cancle" instead of "Cancel"),

I don't know how i manage to do these mistakes.

when you right click on the folder tree, the "About" menu item should be removed, it is just not nice to enforce credit unless really you want to.

Second thought says you're right i'll do that.

Maybe a little more customizable too.

Suggestions?

Edited by uuf6429, 11 March 2007 - 08:22 AM.

[celebraces]

You need to use a proportional font in the HTML editor.

[Sindarin]

Also the text in the directory select control needs to be customizable, I mean the text that says: Please select a folder or click the 'New' button to create a new folder.
Plus make this text font normal not bold, and leave some space between the controls it will look better.

Now that's a nice looking dialog, don't you agree?:


EDIT: In the HTML editor, the page is refreshing all the time so I can't make any changes to the code!?

Edited by Sindarin, 11 March 2007 - 01:20 PM.

[uuf6429]

- celebraces, don't know exactly what you mean?
- Sindarin, Ok i'll try your ideas (hope to much customizations doesn't exceed the 4 argument limit).
The html editor was just an example, I fixed the browser control part, but i still have a problem with saving; I can't find the right event to put saving into.

- To All
While we were talking, I added the progress dialog and EULA dialog to the dll. (notice the dll isn't ready for download).
Right now I'm having a problem with finding if a dialog exists or not.
Thanks for all feedback.
Regards,
Victor

Edit: -!MBC!- R3D R3AP3R Gave me an idea, you said I should include common dialogs, which I think I shouldn't do because of GM's extensions and dll already doing that SO I thought I might make custom common dialogs, like showing a message box with custom buttons with custom text and a custom icon (not mentioning title and caption). I'll formulate this here:
Title - string
Caption - String
Path of icon or '-1' for none
Number of buttons
Button text - Array like ie: 'Yes|No|Cancel'
Right i should merge Title and Caption.

Edited by uuf6429, 12 March 2007 - 07:17 AM.

[celebraces]

A font like Courier New in the HTML editor.

Like This:
Each letter has the same width.

[uuf6429]

Ah right, you're right i'll do that.

[-!MBC!- R3D R3AP3R]

thats a great idea for the message boxes!

When will you be updating?

[uuf6429]

In less then 5 days i hope.

[-!MBC!- R3D R3AP3R]

couldnt you update now and show us the eula and progress dialogues?

[uuf6429]

Well no, i wrote the code on this pc but i don't have delphi on it. I'll be using my home pc in less then 5 days (i'm on holiday).

[uuf6429]

Now version 5. Many fixes and requests accomplished, just check it out.
Download here: SuperDialogs.zip.

The link in first post was updated.

Regards,
Victor

[Sindarin]

Hmm.. you need to disable the Maximize button in the EULA dialog.
The progressbar dialog still says 'Cancle'
In the browse folder dialog, the buttons below do not work. (I am assuming you are woking on this).

[uuf6429]

The browser buttons will be corrected, the cancel button will be fixed and the EULA dialog too. How is the new dll and new dialogs?

[-!MBC!- R3D R3AP3R]

can you upload somewhere else? I have tried with IE and firefox and i was getting speeds of 0.3 to 1.5kbs and when the file was downloaded it was corrupt.

[uuf6429]

Could you retry?
I tried it right now with 11-20 kbs.
If it were that slow then no wonder it was corrupt.

[uuf6429]

Uh no reply? Can't work on this without feedback.

[a2h]

Hmm...

*downloads*

Delphi for free? Cool! *finds*

Edit: Must... get... DLL... tutorial...

And btw the custom message box is stuffed.

Edited by rctxtreme, 27 March 2007 - 06:49 AM.

[uuf6429]

I'll help you if you want.
Custom messagebox isn't working completely. I used ExtractStrings() but this just crashes GM. I really don't know why. Anyway, how were the other dialogs? I'm quite proud with the EULA dialog as it is also finished.

[a2h]

It looks more like an installer dialog, and that wouldn't fit in too well if the developer doesn't attempt to make the rest of the application look similar.

[uuf6429]

What about exactly? If you mean about the colour, it is easily changed to normal. (as shown in the example)

[Seeker]

Those are some pretty smooth-looking dialogs you have there. I'll probably end up using the EULA and the custom messages boxes at some point. I haven't fully investigated anything since I'm not requiring them right now, but great presentation!

[a2h]

If you mean about the colour, it is easily changed to normal. (as shown in the example)

Is the EULA dialog meant to look like a damn installer???

[uuf6429]

But what makes it 'look like an installer'? If you are talking about the 'I agree' then I can't argue more, in an EULA it IS requiered that the user accepts it, if not, you shouldn't show the user an EULA box at all.

[Sindarin]

Maybe you should remove the icons from the eula to make it look more generic.

[a2h]

It has a description of the action, has the agree/disagree radio buttons, and buttons laid out just like in installshield...

Edited by rctxtreme, 28 March 2007 - 11:20 AM.

[uuf6429]

As I said above, it is obligatory that the 'I agree' buttons remain, for the sake of a good EULA. Removing the icons is to be considered, even though I thought it makes the EULA less installer-like and more user-friendly, is this not so?

[a2h]

And so we have a next/back set of buttons? O_o

[uuf6429]

So do you want it to be a 'next' only type of dialog?

[Ruby]

I would like it if:

1. Control's borders and window backgrounds are in the color the user can choose
2. Icons of any dialogs can be set with image files (or ico files, I don't matter)
3. The user can choose the fonts used
4. On the directory dialog, a working cancel button would be nice
5. Button texts can be changed (for other languages)
6. A working costum message box

Thanks.

[uuf6429]

I'll look into what I could do...

[Ruby]

Thanks.

EDIT:

The get directory dialog doesn't work (nothing happens when clicking any button) and the textbox just above the buttons is ugly.
Also, nothing happens when clicking ‘Cancle’ (typo in your DLL, has to be Cancel).

Edited by Ruby, 21 June 2007 - 09:18 AM.

[Deri]

This is just what I was looking for, but the link is down, could you re-host it?

[uuf6429]

You should use my new version, Super Dialogs 6.

[Deri]

Ya, I just noticed that there is a new version. You should edit the first post with a link to the new topic.