Luacom load and centre a html page

[Dean Pryzibilla]

Does anyone know when using the Luacom plugin, if a new IE html window can be loaded not only with set dimensions but also automatically centred on the screen.

Examples provided show how to load a html window with x,y co-ordinates, width and height, but i want to auto-sense screen size and centre the html window (as one could do with java script).

Is this possible; if so does anyone have the code.

[Intrigued]

Here is the raw code (no function yet) of what I came up with to center the I.E. created window. For this example I tested on a system that is running in 1280x1024 and it centered the Popup I.E. window dead center.

[color=#006600]--[[

The code below in bold (aka. darker colored) is the code...
that I injected into this project originally, I believe, that...
was put out by forum user TJ-TIGGER. (thanks 'Tigg!)

]][/color]

[B]tblDisplay = System.GetDisplayInfo()
	nDisW = tblDisplay.Width/2 [COLOR=DarkGreen]-- ie. 1280x1024 = 640[/COLOR]
	nDisH = tblDisplay.Height/2  [COLOR=DarkGreen]-- ie. 1280x1024 = 512[/COLOR]

	nIEW = 300
		nIEWhalf = nIEW/2
	nIEH = 300
		nIEHhalf = nIEW/2
		
nIEWpos = nDisW - nIEWhalf
nIEHpos = nDisH - nIEHhalf[/B]

--Create an Instance of IE 
oIE=luacom.CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application.1") 

--Navigate to this Website 
oIE:Navigate2("http://www.amsuser.com") 

--set the menu, adddres, and toolbar to off 
oIE.Menubar = false; 
oIE.AddressBar = false; 
oIE.ToolBar = false; 

--[[ Some other settings to play with ]]-- 
oIE.Top = [B]nIEHpos[/B]
oIE.Left = [B]nIEWpos[/B]
oIE.Width = [B]nIEW[/B]
oIE.Height = [B]nIEH[/B]
oIE.FullScreen = false; -- KIOSK MODE or not
oIE.Resizable = true; --Can't resize the window or can
-- oIE.StatusBar = true; --turn the statusbar on 
-- oIE.StatusText = "This will be in the statusbar" --set the statusbar text 

--show IE 
oIE.Visible = true

[Intrigued]

Note: the project (Attachment, .apz) file utilizes the LUAcom plugin that is put out by www.icynorth.com (AMS 5's lead programmer, Brett, runs that Website). Per Brett's Website,

Support

There is no technical support provided for this free plugin. Please do not contact me for help with this plugin as I will not provide it.

However, Brett has linked to a couple/three Websites to help get you started.

SEE: Attachment

[Intrigued]

One last note: I just uploaded a version to amsuser dot com that utilizes a function and I also took the liberty to clean up the "look" of the code in the project (SEE: Global Functions section). The actually function call (to use the function) is on the On Click event of the button on the project's sole page.

The updated code base and an example function call (to use the function):

--[[

Below is a function that takes three arguements.
The first is the Width of the I.E. Object, the ...
second is the Height of the I.E. Object, and ...
the third is the Web Address (URL) for the I.E. Object.

]]

function fnCenIEPopup(nIEW, nIEH, strURL)

	tblDisplay = System.GetDisplayInfo()
		nDisW = tblDisplay.Width/2 -- ie. 1280x1024 = 640
		nDisH = tblDisplay.Height/2	-- id. 1280x1024 = 512
	
		--nIEW = 300
			nIEWhalf = nIEW/2
		--nIEH = 300
			nIEHhalf = nIEW/2
			
	nIEWpos = nDisW - nIEWhalf
	nIEHpos = nDisH - nIEHhalf
	
	--Create an Instance of IE 
	oIE=luacom.CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application.1") 
	
	--Navigate to this Website 
	oIE:Navigate2(strURL) 
	
	--set the menu, adddres, and toolbar to off 
	oIE.Menubar = false; 
	oIE.AddressBar = false; 
	oIE.ToolBar = false; 
	
	--[[ Some other settings to play with ]]-- 
	oIE.Top = nIEHpos
	oIE.Left = nIEWpos
	oIE.Width = nIEW
	oIE.Height = nIEH
	oIE.FullScreen = false;
	oIE.Resizable = true;
	-- oIE.StatusBar = true; -- turn the statusbar on/off
	-- oIE.StatusText = "This will be in the statusbar" -- set the statusbar text ("" = set to nothing)
	
	--show IE 
	oIE.Visible = true

end -- ends the function

	-- Here is an example "function call" (to use the function)
		fnCenIEPopup(600, 600, "http://www.amsuser.com")

[Intrigued]

Ha! Ha! So much for the Last Note: idea...

I also created a function (SEE: Below) that opens the Popup I.E. window (Object) at coorinates X=0 and Y=0 of the AMS 5 project.

SEE: Attachment (for screenshot)

Here's the functon:

function fn0X0YIEPopup(nIEW, nIEH, strURL)

tblProjWin = Window.GetPos(Application.GetWndHandle())
	nProjWinX = tblProjWin.X
	nProjWinY = tblProjWin.Y
		
		--Create an Instance of IE 
		oIE=luacom.CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application.1") 
		
		--Navigate to this Website 
		oIE:Navigate2(strURL) 
		
		--set the menu, adddres, and toolbar to off 
		oIE.Menubar = false; 
		oIE.AddressBar = false; 
		oIE.ToolBar = false; 
		
		--[[ Some other settings to play with ]]-- 
		oIE.Top = nProjWinY
		oIE.Left = nProjWinX
		oIE.Width = nIEW
		oIE.Height = nIEH
		oIE.FullScreen = false;
		oIE.Resizable = true;
		-- oIE.StatusBar = true; -- turn the statusbar on/off
		-- oIE.StatusText = "This will be in the statusbar" -- set the statusbar text ("" = set to nothing)
		
		--show IE 
		oIE.Visible = true

end -- ends the function

[Dean Pryzibilla]

One last note: I just uploaded a version to amsuser dot com that utilizes a function and I also took the liberty to clean up the "look" of the code in the project (SEE: Global Functions section). The actually function call (to use the function) is on the On Click event of the button on the project's sole page.

The updated code base and an example function call (to use the function):

--[[

Below is a function that takes three arguements.
The first is the Width of the I.E. Object, the ...
second is the Height of the I.E. Object, and ...
the third is the Web Address (URL) for the I.E. Object.

]]

function fnCenIEPopup(nIEW, nIEH, strURL)

	tblDisplay = System.GetDisplayInfo()
		nDisW = tblDisplay.Width/2 -- ie. 1280x1024 = 640
		nDisH = tblDisplay.Height/2	-- id. 1280x1024 = 512
	
		--nIEW = 300
			nIEWhalf = nIEW/2
		--nIEH = 300
			nIEHhalf = nIEW/2
			
	nIEWpos = nDisW - nIEWhalf
	nIEHpos = nDisH - nIEHhalf
	
	--Create an Instance of IE 
	oIE=luacom.CreateObject("InternetExplorer.Application.1") 
	
	--Navigate to this Website 
	oIE:Navigate2(strURL) 
	
	--set the menu, adddres, and toolbar to off 
	oIE.Menubar = false; 
	oIE.AddressBar = false; 
	oIE.ToolBar = false; 
	
	--[[ Some other settings to play with ]]-- 
	oIE.Top = nIEHpos
	oIE.Left = nIEWpos
	oIE.Width = nIEW
	oIE.Height = nIEH
	oIE.FullScreen = false;
	oIE.Resizable = true;
	-- oIE.StatusBar = true; -- turn the statusbar on/off
	-- oIE.StatusText = "This will be in the statusbar" -- set the statusbar text ("" = set to nothing)
	
	--show IE 
	oIE.Visible = true

end -- ends the function

	-- Here is an example "function call" (to use the function)
		fnCenIEPopup(600, 600, "http://www.amsuser.com")

Thanks very much for the prompt and extremely helpfull solution.

It didn't scale vertically properly at first until I found that there was a mistake here:


--nIEW = 300
nIEWhalf = nIEW/2
--nIEH = 300
nIEHhalf = nIEW/2


Should have been:


--nIEW = 300
nIEWhalf = nIEW/2
--nIEH = 300
nIEHhalf = nIEH/2

Then the screen centred vertically correctly.

Thanks again as this solved my problem. :yes

[Corey]

The I-man knocks another one out of the park. :yes

I got busy for a month there with our new products but I'm free now and I'm going to get the designer site up soon so get your banners ready Intrigued because I've definitely got a free slot for you in the rotation. Aw heck, I'll even make you a few if you need them. I just have to get that activation add-on done then I'll get to the design site. The it's onto getting a few more Speedy CDs out.

:yes

[yosik]

Thanks for the function, Intrigued. :yes

Corey, any insights as to the content of the CDs and/or the site?

Thanks
Yossi

[Corey]

The web site will be tutorials, code, and stuff like that all based around design, flash, photoshop, and AMS. I actually have it done I just haven't had time to add stuff and get it online yet. Considering we just released SUF7.0, TU2.0, Autorun MAX 1.0, and VP2.0 beta all within a few months, you guys can just imagine how fast paced it's been. Lot's of fun but busy.

The CDs I do first will likely be Photoshop CDs. But it's tricky, everyone wants CS2 and frankly I still use 7.0 because it does everything I need. I've used CS but I actually like 7.0 better. The punchline of course is that very few people who are looking for that "CS2 Training" label have any educational needs which surpass 7.0 anyhow. Plus there's just sooooo much of that stuff around nowadays too, it's hard to get a hook. I was thinking of specialized stuff maybe like, "Building Cool Interfaces", etc. to try and get around that and play to my strengths. Tough call.

I'm going to be doing some music stuff too. Brett gave me a great idea to do a, "How to learn sing-a-long guitar" DVD. That's right up my alley. I sat down and worked on it a bit this weekend to see if it's feasible and definitely it is. I think this could be big. Basically it just quickly teaches the core fundamentals that will allow any average Joe to pick up a guitar now and then and be able to play something that sounds halfway decent by following a couple simple rules. I might even do this one first actually. It's easier for me to do music stuff than the Photoshop thing and there's a much bigger audience with less competition. I did a little research on this and I found out that the Mel Bay "How to play campfire guitar" was one of their best sellers and I can easily do a similar DVD which is 100 times better than that old thing. :yes

And the best part is that Brett doesn't get a cent. Muhaha!!!

[yosik]

Go for it, Corey. I am sure it can be a great product.
As to your hesitation about photoshop, I don't think there is a good solution here.
Look at Total Training. They are getting the beta version of the next generation WAY ahead of everyone, thanks to their relationship with Adobe. So they are out with the training DVD almost at the same time as the program is out.
In your case, I would concentrate in the idea more than the tool. "how to build an interface" sounds a good idea, using the tools in Photoshop (and Freehand/Corel/Illustrator, AND pen and paper...) to achieve the result. Various paradigms, usage of color schemes, workflow design, 2D vs 3D etc...
Then, the fact that you would be using ver 7.0 and not CS2 (and by the time you are out, it may be CS3...) is less of a factor. In fact, you could EMPHASIZE the fact that you DON'T need the newest tool in order to achieve a good result.

my 0.2....

Good luck,

Yossi

[Intrigued]

The I-man knocks another one out of the park. :yes

I got busy for a month there with our new products but I'm free now and I'm going to get the designer site up soon so get your banners ready Intrigued because I've definitely got a free slot for you in the rotation. Aw heck, I'll even make you a few if you need them. I just have to get that activation add-on done then I'll get to the design site. The it's onto getting a few more Speedy CDs out.

:yes

Swank'nific and I'm looking forward to your new Website! Any insights with those technologies will be much appreciated!

:yes