Attributes of graphics objects

This chapter describes the attributes that can be used for different graphic objects. The table below contains all graphics attributes whose values can be set or read with CONTROL functions.

Attributes that can be set are identified by "s" in the "set/get" column and those that can be read by "g". Those available for panel references are marked with "R". Thus, the entry "s (R)" indicates that the attribute in question can be set for both graphic elements and panel references.

It is not permitted to simultaneously set two graphics attributes that affect each other. If necessary, you must perform two setValue() commands one after the other.

The "Data type" column lists the data types of the parameters for each attribute in the same order in which they must be passed in setValue() or getValue() functions. The entry string means, for instance, that the attribute in question has only one parameter of type string. The entry int , string states that the attribute has two parameters, the first of which is of the type int whereas the second is of the type string.

Sets the contents of a simple text called PRIMITIVE_TEXT1 to "Example".

main()
{
  setValue("PRIMITIVE_TEXT1", "text", "Example");
}

<Shape>.<Attribut>("value")

main()
{
  PRIMITIVE_TEXT1.text("Example");
}

Query the content of a primitive text "PRIMITIVE_TEXT2".

main()
{
  this.text("TEST"); //Content of the text = "TEST".
  dyn_langString retVal;
  getValue("PRIMITIVE_TEXT2","text",retVal); //Query of the text
  DebugN("The text is:",retVal); //text output
}

The special shape name "this" that is used to specify the graphic object itself, for example, this.text("TEST");(see above).

This method is always to be preferred because of its greater readability. It is, however, limited to reading attributes with one parameter and is thus used in parallel with getValue() and setValue(). Other individual exceptions in usage are indicated explicitly in the examples for attributes.

The following table contains all graphics attributes whose values can be set or read by CONTROL functions. Attributes that can be set are identified by "s" in the "set/get" column and those that can be read by "g". Attributes that are also available for panel references contain an (R). Thus the entry s(R) indicates that the attribute in question can be set for both graphic objects and panel references.


Attribute	set/get	Data type	Valid values	Comment
name	s, g	string	Object name	Name of a graphics element
type	s, g	string	Object type	Type of graphics element. The name can be specified for an object in GEDI.
foreCol	s, g	string	color string	Line color (border color, font color)
backCol	s, g	string	color string	Fill color
dashBackCol	s,g	string	color string	Only for dashed (border) lines
color	s	string	color string	Line and fill color
position	s, g	int, int	Coordinates x, y	associated point in the panel
rotation	s, g	float	Degrees	Rotation angle (returns the rotation in VISION in relation to the GEDI!)
scale	s, g	float, float	Scaling factor x, y	Scaling in the x and y direction. See also the note below this table.
enabled	s (R), g	bool	TRUE or FALSE (1, 0)	Element can be enabled (actions can be triggered by clicking on the element). In case of primitive graphics objects (polyline, border, arc, ellipse) and buttons, a bitmap will be disabled automatically when the object is disabled. Note, however, that WMF formats are not disabled even though the object has been disabled. You can disable a whole panel to disallow user interaction. The cursor shows the "WaitCursor". Therefore, use setValue() and the attribute "enabled" as follows: setValue(myModuleName()+"." +myPanelName()+":", "enabled","FALSE");
visible	s (R), g	bool	TRUE or FALSE (1, 0)	Element is visible
cursor	s,g	int	The cursor type	The cursor type (Control constants) Note: The cursor type can only be set for widgets (e.g. button, clock) but not for simple shapes (e.g. rectangle).
toolTipText	s,g	string	Tooltip text	The text shown as a tooltip.
imageToClipboard	s			Copies an image of a graphics object to the clipboard.
imageToFile	s	string	The file name e.g. "C://Images/Trend1".	Saves an image of a graphics object (screenshot).The image is saved as a PNG file.
refName	g	string	Reference names	Returns the reference information for a shape. This indicates to what reference a shape belongs to.
selected	s,g	bool	TRUE or FALSE	Contains the state of a selection. Can only be changed if a shape can be selected at runtime. This means that the attribute "selectable" has been set for a shape in the attribute editor. See also Multiselection at run time
size	g	int, int	The width and height of an object	Returns the width and height of an object.
shapeType	g	string	"PRIMITIVE_TEXT", "LINE", "RECTANGLE", "ELLIPSE", "ARC", "POLYGON", "PUSH_BUTTON", "TEXT_FIELD", "CLOCK", "SELECTION_LIST", "RADIO_BOX", "CHECK_BOX", "SPIN_BUTTON", "COMBO_BOX", "TREND", "TABLE", "CASCADE_BUTTON", "BAR_TREND", "TAB", "ACTIVE_X", "FRAME", "PIPE", "DP_TREE", "TEXT_EDIT", "SLIDER", "THUMB_WHEEL", "PROGRESS_BAR", "TREE", "DPTYPE", "LCD", "ZOOM_NAVIGATOR", "EMBEDDED_MODULE" "SCHEDULER_EWO"	Returns a string specific to the type of shape.
Bordered
border	s, g	string	Line type string	line type, border type
dashBackCol	s,g	string	Color string	The background color of a dashed line
Fillable
fill	s, g	string	Fill pattern string	Fill pattern
PVSSWidget
font	s, g	langString	Font string	Font

For a shape group the attributes enabled, foreCol, backCol, color and visible are write-only!

Only totally visible shapes can be changed correctly with "scale". When resizing childpanels dynamically you have to remember the correct order (first make the shapes smaller and then the panel).