Where is it?
Published on May 23, 2005 By frankiejr In DesktopX Development
Hello,

I'm building a DXPlayer Remote, and I'm having a problem with the way text is displayed. I really don't like the way the text isn't anti-aliased when I use my own display, but I need the text to scroll. But...

I got a "tip" message at one point, though, that says:

--------------------------------
Scrolling Requires DXScroller
DesktopX text does not normally offer scrolling text output. To do the Same thing with native text, add the Object Slider plugin to this object, and make it the Child of an object that is the width and height desired.
--------------------------------

Now, I've been looking for this for about an hour now, and for the life of me I just cannot find any references *at all* to DXScroller or the Object Slider. Can someone give me a hint as to where I can find this plugin?

This is driving me crazy! I think I'm losing it...any help at all will be greatly appreciated!

.frankiejr

Comments
on May 23, 2005

First, make an image that will serve as the scroll area background. Then create a new object, assign your new image to it, and give it an Object ID (like 'scrollbg'). Then put your scrolling text object on top of it, and set its Parent/Owner to be the background object you created. Now it will scroll within the background area and you can let DX handle the text settings.

on May 23, 2005
Hmmm...I just tried what you said. Started fresh, made sure there weren't any conflicts with the ObjectIDs, built both objects and set the parent/owner relationship. The text won't scroll unless I uncheck the "Use built-in DesktopX text attributes (recommended)" box in the DXPlayer Text Display dialog.

Did I do something wrong?

.frankiejr
on May 23, 2005

I don't know if this makes a difference or not, but try setting the text object height and width to Image Default, and on the background object, specifiy it's exact width and height. I'm just trying to think of settings I may have adjusted that you haven't.

Anyone else know what we're missing here?

on May 23, 2005

Nope.

I want to make sure we're not getting confused here...I can get it to scroll when I uncheck the "Use built-in DesktopX text attributes (recommended)". If I check it off, I can't seem to get it to scroll.

Thing is, I really want it to be checked off because I don't like the way the text looks with that option unchecked. It's not antialiased; the built-in text attributes make it look much smoother. (I compare the look to using ClearType vs. not using it.)

MikeB314, if you still have a solution, could you make a quick widget with just the name and bg so I can dl it and see if there's something I'm overlooking? That's the only way I can see me fixing this at this point unless I can figure out what this DXScroller is. I'll put mine up for you to take a look at if you want.

Thanks,
.frankiejr

on May 24, 2005
Okay...

Here is a widget that does exactly what I want it to.

I imported it, and it has the Object Slider...but I just can't figure out how to get it. I'm feeling pretty stupid...I know it's something simple, I just can't figure it out.

I need to stop working on this stuff when I should be in bed...if anyone can even hint at where I can find this, I will crown you King (or Queen, if that's your fancy).

.frankiejr
on May 24, 2005
Ooh!

3.5 minutes later, I figure out that whatever plugin that player used ended up loaded into my DesktopX builder, so now I have it and can use it!

Anyone have any idea where this came from, and where I could have found it? I was looking all over and couldn't even find a reference to it.

.frankiejr
on May 24, 2005

Sorry, Frankie. I didn't realize you didn't actually have the Object Slider plugin. As far as I know, the only way to get plugins that don't come with DX is to import a widget or object that already has them. That installs the plugin and then it is available for you to use in your themes. I assumed Object Slider came with DX3.

on May 24, 2005
Pretty weird, huh? I wonder why that plugin doesn't come with DX3...a mistake, probably? Maybe a bad install? I hope this plugin isn't going to be depriciated.

Thanks a ton for your help, MikeB314. I really don't think I would have kept trying if it weren't for you. BTW, what does the 314 stand for? Just curious, since I use that number a lot because of a specific reason.

.frankiejr
on May 24, 2005

No problem. 314 = March 14 ... my birthday.

on May 24, 2005
Mike...

That's what I thought. I share my birthday with Einstein as well...as a matter of fact, you and I were born on the same exact day, if you're really 31 years old. My gaming handle is actually Pi (3.14). Woot!

.frankiejr
on May 25, 2005
Cool, we were born on the same exact day then. Good gaming nick. I promise I won't steal it. I use MikeB314 for everything.