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DesktopX Step-By-Step Tutorials #12

RomanDA

Join Date 12/2003

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DesktopX Step-By-Step Tutorials #12

Stepping Thru States

Step-by-Step Tutorials

#12 - Stepping Thru States

A series by RomanDA

Listing of other DX Tutorials: Click here

Today's Lesson: "Stepping Thru States" is a very simple way to setup multiple states with a button to change between them.

In this lesson we will cover how to create a simple object, then add multiple states to it, and add a simple button to "step" thru the states.

For this and all the Step-By-Step DX Tutorials you will need to purchase DesktopX for $14.95 from Stardock.

See previous tutorials for how to load DX & create a new object.

Lets get started.

STEP 1 - Create the first object "state"

With DX loaded and running, add a new object, goto the "STATES" tab and here we will assign the object a new image and then rename the state to "1"

Browse to the 1st background image you want to use, and select it.
Then use the steps below to rename the state to 1.

RIGHT-Click on the
"Mouse Away" in the States window.
Click "Rename" and name the state "1".

We will be adding more states in the next step, and each one will be another # . IE: 2, 3, 4, 5.

STEP 2 - Create More States

Add a new STATE naming it "2" and assigning it to the next background image.

You would continue this for ALL the states you want to add.

In our case we will make the TOTAL 8 states.

Repeat - till you have all 8 states added.

"OK" it all when its done.

STEP 3 - Adding the code to step thru the states.

Edit the above object and click on "NEW SCRIPT". We will be adding the following script.

Code: vbscript
 Dim MaxStates, CurrentState
'Called when the script is executed
 Sub Object_OnScriptEnter
MaxStates = 2 '-- Set this to the max # of states
 '-- Pull Current State from object
CurrentState = Object.PersistStorage("CurrentState")
 '-- check CurrentState to see if it had any value
'-- if not set it to 1
 If len(CurrentState) = 0 Then 
CurrentState = 1
Widget.AddPreference("CurrentState")
 Widget.Preference("CurrentState").defaultvalue = 1
End If
Call SetState()  '-- See Function Below
End Sub
Function SetState()
object.state  = CurrentState
End Function
Sub Object_OnLButtonDown(x, y)
 CurrentState = CurrentState + 1
If CurrentState > MaxStates Then CurrentState  = 1
Call SetState()
Widget.Preference("CurrentState").value = CurrentState
 End Sub
'Called when the script is terminated
Sub  Object_OnScriptExit
End Sub
 

You could also add multiple "state" changes to other objects as well (things like Clock hands, or color changes to text objects, etc.

CONCLUSION

There is a lot more you can do with this, but these are the basic steps to setting up the Stepping Object State Changer.

This works great for clocks, and lots of other items where you want to have multiple looks/colors/layouts.

Enjoy,RomanDA
AKA: David A. Roman
http://romanda.wincustomize.com

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Black-Knight
sViz

hehehe well you deserve some more Karma David, your Tutorials are a lifesaver, and an inspiration

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Awesome David!!! It works great!! People get ready for Chameleon DX!!!!

Chameleon DX is in moderation. It is a DX theme with 4 different styles. Just a first effort. A Bigger, better theme waits in my brain...lol.

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Wow, Thanks for all the great tuts. I just started learning how to skin dx and these have helped out ALOT. You planning one for adding the weather info??

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You planning one for adding the weather info??

Not at this time..

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