Chapter 3-15: Using GUI Features of the Image Editor
Use of Graphical Attributes
Graphical attributes define the way menus, input, output, and inquiry processes, options, and fields appear, print, and/or operate. They are recognized only when running the GUI-based version of APPX (also know as the APPX Client). While these attributes may be defined by the designer while using either the GUI or character-based version of APPX, they are ignored when users are running APPX in character mode and will not affect the display of character-based images.
Types of graphical attributes include the following:
- Wallpaper
Consisting of a graphic image or a solid color background.
- Borders
To offset a frame.
- Titlebars
That can include graphics such as a corporate logo.
To provide graphical representation of available tasks and processes.
- Widgets
Such as checkboxes, radio buttons, slide bars and date selection calendars.
Such as pull-down menus, pop-up menus, and right-click context menus.
Graphical attributes can be defined within these APPX components:
For adding graphical features to a menu image.
- Input, Output, and Inquiry Processes
For adding graphical elements to a specific image, or if defined as global, all images within the frame.
- Optional Children
Of Menu Processes and Input Process images. At this level, graphical attributes are used to display lower level processes in a manner other than traditional APPX option formats.
- Image Fields
For adding graphical elements to specific items (fields) on an image.
The Defining Graphical Attributes for Images section discusses the options available for menu, input, output, and inquiry processes through the use of Window Properties from the Image Editor Right-Click Menu.
Another section, Defining Graphical Attributes for Optional Children, explains how to design the way optional child processes appear and are selected on your menu or input process image. You can use the default traditional button approach, or define pull-down and right-click menus.
Finally, the Defining Graphical Attributes for Image Fields section covers the various attributes that can be attached to data objects.