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Island Dog
Island Dog
Join Date 06/2003
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DesktopX client question

November 15, 2005 1:09:35 PM from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I noticed that someone mentioned they cannot clone my Christmas Lights object. I know with the "standard" versions of DX you do this in DX Builder, but can you clone with just the client version? http://islanddog.wincustomize.com/ViewSkin.aspx?SkinID=3767&LibID=3&comments=1
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Island Dog
Bichur
Join Date 10/2003
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Reply #1 November 15, 2005 2:28:12 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I don't think so - but I could be wrong - I'm thinking that the Client doesn't have a builder, that it's strictly end user.

From Link:

What is the difference between versions of DesktopX?

If you just want to run other people's stuff, just get the DesktopX client. It lets you run the objects, widgets, and themes. It has almost no user interface so it's very easy to use.

If you want to create your own desktop or objects or widgets you need DesktopX Standard. It can run everything too but it includes the development environment that lets you quickly create this stuff -- right on your desktop.

If you're a software developer (or artist who isn't afraid of a little JavaScript or VB Script) with some ambition, that's where DesktopX Pro comes in. It lets you export your widget as a gadget. Gadgets are the same as widgets except they don't require any run-times to be installed. The .EXE you create can be sent to anyone with Windows 2000 or XP and run there.
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Island Dog
MountainDragon
Join Date 02/2005
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Reply #2 November 15, 2005 2:42:07 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
You're right Bichur - Client means no Builder, no editing, no cloning. (Kinda makes me wonder how people not listed as customers are creating the DX Themes they are uploading... )
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Island Dog
CerebroJD
Join Date 01/2003
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Reply #3 November 15, 2005 2:43:30 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
You might want to consider building a 'electrical panel' for your lights. It would be just a little box that let you turn them 'on' or 'off' and would let you add or remove 'strings' of lights. By making it completely autonomous of right-click cloning, you'll get around the whole problem.
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Island Dog
CerebroJD
Join Date 01/2003
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Reply #4 November 15, 2005 2:45:22 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Dragon, people can still use the DX trial to create stuff, I think.

I think that the dx Client costs money as well... 12 or 13 dollars if I recall.
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Island Dog
Bichur
Join Date 10/2003
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Reply #5 November 15, 2005 3:11:00 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Maybe some of the unable to cloners aren't switching to builder, also?
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Island Dog
Island Dog
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Reply #6 November 16, 2005 7:39:36 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I was working on something like that CerebroJD, but I was just thinking instead of uploading a a small section of lights, I would make a "long" section that would fit most desktops.
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Island Dog
CerebroJD
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Reply #7 November 16, 2005 11:26:00 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Good plan!
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Island Dog
DigitalDanes
Join Date 01/2002
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Reply #8 November 16, 2005 2:19:33 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Island Dog: Is there a way to "rotate" the string of lights? As they are now, they can only hang from the top of my screen. I'd like to turn them so I can clone and make a sort of "frame" around my screen (right, left, top, and bottom). I'm a basic user of DX so I don't understand scripts and such so if it requires having to change the scripting/coding, someone will have to post it in very plain wording (imagine I'm 4 years old when it comes to that part...LMAO)
DD

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Island Dog
MountainDragon
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Reply #9 November 16, 2005 4:54:15 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
DigitalDanes: If you're in DX Builder mode (right-click DX icon in system tray, select Switch to builder):
1. Right-click on the object, select properties, go to the States tab
2. You'll notice that the image being used is "christmas lights.png". Cancel out of the properties.
3. Now, you'll need to find that file on your drive. The easiest way is from the DX configuration dialog.
4. Right-click on the DX icon in the system tray, select Configure DesktopX Builder...
5. On the Desktop tab, select Open desktop data folder.
6. The file from (2) above should be in there.
7. Load the file into an image editor, and rotate it how you want, making sure to save to a different name.
8. Back to the object, right-click, select Clone.
9. Right-click the new one, select properties, go to the States tab.
10. Browse to your new, rotated image, select it, Ok out of properties, and you should be good to go.
11. Repeat for each side.

Hope that helps.
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Island Dog
Bichur
Join Date 10/2003
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Reply #10 November 16, 2005 5:07:02 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
nevermind.
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Island Dog
DigitalDanes
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Reply #11 November 16, 2005 5:23:24 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Basically, I'll need to find the image and rotate it in the image editor program (PSP, PS, etc), resave the rotated file as a new name and then add it where the original was in the States and resave the object with a new name, correct? I didn't know that you could save new objects in DesktopX (I don't have Pro, just the basic one that comes with ODNT). That's cool....now I can change the colors on other items backgrounds to match my color scheme at the moment...LOL Thanks tons, Mountain Dragon!

And PS..many thanks to our resident Troll for the offer of help (even if MD beat you to the punch). Can I send you a troll cookie for your efforts???
DD

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Island Dog
MountainDragon
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Reply #12 November 16, 2005 6:06:32 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
DD: The key to making a new object is the Clone command in the context menu.

As far as changing colors goes, if you're using objects (as opposed to Widgets run as .exe) then you could use my Color Adjuster to do it very easily. Link
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Island Dog
Bichur
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Reply #13 November 16, 2005 6:17:18 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Instead of cloning I just created new objects using rotated pics. I always screw up cloning somehow.

Trollhouse Cookie?

Diff betw the standard and Pro is Pro will export gadgets.

The standard is cool. MD's color adjuster rocks.
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Island Dog
Island Dog
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Reply #14 November 16, 2005 6:27:56 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums

I never though that people might want the lights on the side of their desktop.  I guess I could make horizontal versions and put them all in a .zip and upload them again.

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Island Dog
Bichur
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Reply #15 November 16, 2005 6:35:59 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I guess I could make horizontal versions and put them all in a .zip and upload them again.
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Island Dog
CerebroJD
Join Date 01/2003
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Reply #16 November 16, 2005 6:44:35 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Hold on there, cowpokes. Why not just toss a script in a string of lights:
Sub Object_OnScriptEnter()
Object.Rotation = 90
End Sub
That should work for ya, instead of image editing.
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Island Dog
DigitalDanes
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Reply #17 November 16, 2005 7:11:43 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I like the idea of not having to edit an image (especially if there's more than one object to have to edit - I hate animation and working with multiple frames of things and I haven't got the slightest clue as to how the lights actually "flash" in ID's object).
MD: I figured out the clone (It took 3 "strands" of lights to do the top of my screen), but cloning the orignal object didn't let me change the direction of them...it just makes copies of the lights in their downward hanging direction and I wanted to put them around my desktop's edge (so the lights need to face upwards and left and right).
Mod CJD: How do I add this script to the lights object so that it can be rotated 90, 180, and 270 degrees? And for each time I rotate (add the script to the object) do I need to save the object as a new name and then "activate" each object (then clone that one for as many as I need to do the edge)?
Told ya...I'm a true basic user when it comes to DX (I love my Aquarium and Natural Desktops though...LOL).

PS~ On a totally unrelated subject...I seem to have lost the ability to download files from the net when they are linked. Example: If I purchase a program online and they have a link to download the .exe file I just LEFT clicked the link text and it gave me the Run, Save, Cancel dialog box. Now...nada. Just a quick flash of the progress bar at the bottom of the IE window but no dialog and option to run or save the file to my drive. I don't know what caused it (I was playing with IconX before it happened, but I doubt that was the cause, but who knows..lol). Anyone know how to fix the problem...I hate RIGHT clicking and choosing Save Target As.
DD

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Island Dog
CerebroJD
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Reply #18 November 16, 2005 9:18:58 PM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Just need to add the script and apply it. Change the 90 as needed.
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Island Dog
DigitalDanes
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Reply #19 November 17, 2005 1:04:10 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I've still got some time before I put up my lights, so maybe I'll just hang a bit and see if ID will make a zip of them and then I can concentrate on untangling myself from the Christmas wrap and ribbon On a side note, it must have been something on the webpage I was downloading from; I control/refreshed the page and the click to download ability is back (no more Save Target As...yeah!)

B: Do you like the chunky style Trollhouse, regular, or the new white and dark swirled morsel type? And do you have a mailbox at your stump or do I need to send them to a PO Box?
DD

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Island Dog
MountainDragon
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Reply #20 November 17, 2005 1:22:25 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Hold on there, cowpokes. Why not just toss a script in a string of lights:



I guess I did give DD quite a bit to do, just to avoid a simple script.
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Island Dog
scorpio-logic
Join Date 03/2005
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Reply #21 November 17, 2005 1:38:35 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Heckuvan explanation, MountainDragon. Helped me.
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Island Dog
DigitalDanes
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Reply #22 November 17, 2005 5:40:56 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
Sub Object_OnScriptEnter()
Object.Rotation = 90
End Sub


When I add this to the script (replacing the first set of lines), it causes the whole strand of lights to disappear and reappear (instead of just the "bulbs" appearing to flash and change color. It did rotate the strand the way I wanted it, but had an undesired effect on the object. Since I don't understand scripting very much, is there something else needed in the script? (maybe someone can write the script and then copy/paste it here so I can just edit the script of the object on the desktop that way?)
DD

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Island Dog
Bichur
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Reply #23 November 17, 2005 8:49:20 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
B: Do you like the chunky style Trollhouse, regular, or the new white and dark swirled morsel type?


YES

And do you have a mailbox at your stump or do I need to send them to a PO Box


Better use both just to make sure.
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Island Dog
CerebroJD
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Reply #24 November 17, 2005 10:23:57 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
I'm not quite sure what you mean DD....maybe there is/was a script in there already?
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Island Dog
Bichur
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Reply #25 November 17, 2005 11:51:23 AM
from WinCustomize ForumsWinCustomize Forums
It did rotate the strand the way I wanted it, but had an undesired effect on the object.


Conjecture: is it possible the even though the script rotated the png, since it was originally in horizontal position, it is still being considered horizontal - just tall and skinny? in which case the frames are being thrown off since it's trying to find frames laid out horizontally and they've been stacked the other way?

I'm just bored guessing
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