Graphic object properties

This Dialog Box is the simplest type of dialog box.  The contents of this dialog box are common to all dialog box types.  You will notice that there are two tabs in the dialog box, the "Graphic" tab, and the "Text" tab.  Clicking on the tab opens up the dialog box options pertaining to that tab.

The Graphic Tab

Object Size Properties

When the Fix Size check box is unchecked, the size of the object is made to be large enough to enclose the largest of the Text, Number of Nodes, Bitmap and Control Style graphical elements enabled for the object.  The block element has no inherent size.

When the Fix Size check box is checked, the size of the object is determined by what has been entered in the Width and Height fields.  If the width or height is specified to be smaller than a Control Style or Bitmap graphical element, the element is clipped on the right and to the bottom.  If the size is made larger in either dimension, transparent space pads the element on the right and/or bottom.  Text elements are clipped according to the setting of the Justify radio buttons.

Graphic objects can be resized by dragging (see "Using bitmaps as a background for instructions on how to do this).

Object Layer

The Layer drop-down allows you to assign an object to a layer.  This allows you to define the stacking order for objects placed partially or completely on top of one another in a View.  Layer 1 is the top most layer. Layer 8 is the bottom most layer.  An object on layer 2 will obscure objects on layer 3, for instance.

The stacking order for objects on the same layer is undefined and may change as the view is edited.

Object Block Properties

When the Block check box is checked the object will have a rectangular block appearance.

When the Fix Size check box is unchecked, the size of the block is made to be large enough to enclose the largest of the other graphical elements enabled for the object (Text, Bitmap, Control Style) and accommodate any Nodes which need to appear about the block's perimeter.

The Block Type drop-down determines the graphical appearance of the block.  "Normal Block" is the type of block generally used for Block Objects.  The other block types: "Inset", "Inset Transparent", "Popout" and "Popout Transparent" are generally used for Graphic Objects.  Normal blocks differ from the other block types in that they have a larger bevel.  The transparent block types have only a bevel.

Object Bitmap Properties

When the Bitmap check box is checked the object will display a bitmap.  The bitmap to be displayed may be selected either by typing the file name of the bitmap in the File edit control or by pressing the Browse button and finding the bitmap with the standard file open dialog.

MediaMatrix uses a fixed custom palette (the palette appears in the Palette Window in Paint Mode).  The bitmap selected will be rendered with colors from this palette which most closely match the colors specified by the bitmap selected.

Object Control Style Properties

When the Style check box is checked the object will have the appearance of a control or indicator.  The type of control or indicator appearance is selected in the Type drop-down menu.  Various styles of Faders, Knobs, Lights, Text Boxes and Meters are available to choose from.

The style graphical element is used almost exclusively for Control Objects.  When used on other types of objects, the user will not be able to gesture the object nor will it display any status information.

The Text Tab

Enable Object To Display Text or Label

When the "Enable Object To Display Text or Label" check box is checked, the object can display text.  The text is specified exclusively by the Text edit control for Block Objects and Graphic Objects.  The text for a Control Object will be the Current Value for the control unless the Local Text check box is checked.

Lock Text

When an object is selected, you may normally relabel it by typing in a new name.  If you wish to prevent the operator or designer from re-labeling your text, you can "lock" the text so it cant be overwritten.  To do so, check the checkbox next to the words "Lock Text.

Text Font & Size

The font used for printing the text is user selectable by the Font drop-down.  The available fonts are ones which have been deemed useful and proportionally sized for the application.

Text Justify

The horizontal positioning of the text is controlled by the Text Justify radio buttons.

Vertically, the first line of text is always placed at the top of the object.  Blank lines may be inserted before the actual text in the Text edit control to position text further down.  This trick is not applicable for positioning the Current Value text on a Control Object; there is no way to change the vertical positioning of such text.

Text Color

The color of the text is controlled by the Color radio buttons as follows...

Painted Color

The text is printed in the color chosen for the object by the Color drop-down.  This setting will cause the text to be invisible on some Control Styles and Block Styles since the control/block itself is also painted with this color

Contrast Color

The text is chosen to be either black or white to maximize contrast with the color of the control selected in the Color drop-down.

Background Color

The text is painted in the color of the background of the View Window or Child Window in which the control lives.

Contrast Background Color

The text is chosen to be either black or white to maximize contrast with the background color of the View Window or Child Window.

Object Color

The color of an Object may be changed using the Paint mode.  The color is used in different ways by the Text, Block, Bitmap and Control Style graphic elements to determine exactly how the object will be rendered.

Object Text or Label

An object's text can be changed with the Text edit control in an Object Properties Dialog.  An object's text can also be changed using Keyboard Type-in.

This control is a standard Windows multi-line edit box.  To start a new line use Ctrl-Enter. Pressing Enter will exit the dialog.