Standard controls (on the Controls palette) are active features; that is, you use them to encourage your end user to perform an action, and then you can specify what happens in the world as a result of that action.
Typically, you use these controls with event actions. For example, you might insert a Button control into a scene, with a caption that reads Back. You assign an event to the control and specify an action to take your user to the previous scene.
As another example, you might insert a RadioGroup control into a scene, with three options: StoreA, StoreB, and StoreC. You assign an event to each option and specify an action to have the user's selection to change which store's data is displayed in the scene.
The following table lists the controls provided in QMF Visionary Studio, along with brief descriptions of how to use them and some of the properties and custom events available with each control.
Control/Uses | Selected properties | Custom events |
---|---|---|
TextBox
Allows user to input text. |
Text can be justified, scrolled, and also displayed as asterisks (*) for password protection. | Actions can be triggered by user events such as selecting the object or changing the text in the box. |
Button
Displays text or an image to prompt users to perform an action. For example, a Back button can assist user navigation. |
A button can include a caption, an image, or both. An alternate graphic can be set if an image is disabled. | Actions can be triggered by user events, including selecting the button, as well as by standard mouse events, such as clicking. |
CheckBox
Displays a box that users can select or clear to provide a Yes or No response. |
The control can include a caption. | Actions can be triggered by standard mouse events, such as clicking. |
RadioGroup
Provides users with multiple-choice options. Each option in the group is a child object with its own properties and events. |
The control can include a caption. | Actions can be triggered by standard mouse events, such as clicking. You can create an event for the group or for each individual option. |
Slider (Horizontal or Vertical)
Allows users to specify an integer within a range of values. |
The minimum and maximum values in the range can be specified. Select properties, such as frequency, can be specified. | Actions can be triggered by a user beginning to change the value on the slider or ending the change; also by pressing or releasing a specified key. |
Combo
Allows users to type an entry or select from a list. The list can be retrieved from a query or supplied as static text. |
Option values and a sort order can be specified for options returned by a query. | Actions can be triggered by standard user events, such as clicking. Also, an action can be triggered when the value in the control is changed. |
List
Allows users to select from a list. The list can be retrieved from a query or supplied as static text. |
Option values and a sort order can be specified for options returned by a query. You can also specify if you want the user to be able to select multiple options. | Actions can be triggered by standard user events, such as clicking. Also, an action can be triggered when the value in the control is changed. |
Animated GIF
Allows users to display animated GIF graphics. |
The graphic can be a stored image or come from a file on a computer. | Actions can be triggered by standard mouse events, such as clicking. |
Most events are common to all objects in QMF Visionary. For full details on the properties and events associated with each control object, see the reference section of the QMF Visionary Studio online help.