ProGUI V1.38 UI Library (Small Bug Fix)

[PrincieD]

I'm puzzled. What will the difference be? Is there any advantage to the Direct 2D?

When using GDI+ most graphics card drivers have only basic accelerated support suffering from poor rendering performance when compared with equivalent DirectX functionality. Direct 2D is damn fast! it bypasses a lot of the Windows GDI subsystem bloat and renders directly to the composited render surface on Windows7 + machines using full hardware acceleration (not CPU like most GDI/+ commands)

Chris.

[DoubleDutch]

Ahh - so you are using DirectX to render the window...

[PrincieD]

Ahh - so you are using DirectX to render the window...

Yes thats right! or the controls inside the window.

[electrochrisso]

Code: Select all

; this next command is important as it sets are newly created window to clipchildren
; which stops all the child components from being redrawn when unnecessary (reduced flickering, faster refresh)
SetWindowLongPtr_(WindowID(#Window_0), #GWL_STYLE, GetWindowLongPtr_(WindowID(#Window_0), #GWL_STYLE)|#WS_CLIPCHILDREN)

Using this command causes strange things to happen to Frame3DGadget, which causes the contents of the frame be displayed with what is directly behind the window it is placed on and I found this only happens if the window is opened invisible, then shown.
Although this is not a ProGUI bug, I thought I would point it out here because the ProGUI examples use it.
I am only a beginner with API, any chance you could explain what is going on and anyway of avoiding it when opening windows invisible then shown.

Only tested on Win 7...

[PrincieD]

Hi electrochrisso,

Code: Select all

; this next command is important as it sets are newly created window to clipchildren
; which stops all the child components from being redrawn when unnecessary (reduced flickering, faster refresh)
SetWindowLongPtr_(WindowID(#Window_0), #GWL_STYLE, GetWindowLongPtr_(WindowID(#Window_0), #GWL_STYLE)|#WS_CLIPCHILDREN)

Using this command causes strange things to happen to Frame3DGadget, which causes the contents of the frame be displayed with what is directly behind the window it is placed on and I found this only happens if the window is opened invisible, then shown.
Although this is not a ProGUI bug, I thought I would point it out here because the ProGUI examples use it.
I am only a beginner with API, any chance you could explain what is going on and anyway of avoiding it when opening windows invisible then shown.

Only tested on Win 7...

The #WS_CLIPCHILDREN style works by excluding the update region of where the child window overlaps with the one beneath it; this stops flickering as the window beneath is no longer rendering the area that the window on-top occupies. However, certain controls rely on this behavior like the Frame3DGadget and a little work around is needed (taken from the PanelEx Example): -

Code: Select all

window = Frame3DGadget(#PB_Any, 40, 90, 100, 60, "testy!")
  window = GadgetID(window)
  SetWindowLongPtr_(window, #GWL_EXSTYLE, GetWindowLongPtr_(window, #GWL_EXSTYLE)|#WS_EX_TRANSPARENT)

The trouble with the Windows common controls is that they are pretty ancient and the controls have just been patched up with each subsequent release of Windows instead of being re-written taking advantage of the modern technology. With ProGUI I'm aiming to replace all the common controls with customizable skinned versions that work on the principal of the PanelEx (i.e every ProGUI control that is inside a PanelEx is rendered onto a single buffer (double buffered) instead of separate DC's for each window.

Chris.

[PrincieD]

Hi guys!

I've decided to keep the price the same for the time being after such a good response from the special offer thanks guys! I really appreciate your support it guarantees that I can continue to work on ProGUI (this is my full-time job ) and that it will continue to become something really quite cool and powerful but remain affordable

Cheers!

Chris.

[PrincieD]

Hey guys,
Right I've had another think about the pricing and I'm wondering if selling in US Dollars instead of Euros would be better? What are you most comfortable with purchasing online? thanks!
Chris.

[rsts]

Hey guys,
Right I've had another think about the pricing and I'm wondering if selling in US Dollars instead of Euros would be better? What are you most comfortable with purchasing online? thanks!
Chris.

I'm not sure how you were selling it when I bought, but either works for me. I can see the translation to either and the banks handle the payment/conversion.

cheers

[PrincieD]

I'm not sure how you were selling it when I bought, but either works for me. I can see the translation to either and the banks handle the payment/conversion.

cheers

Thanks rsts i appreciate your opinion As you live in the USA, do you think other guys in the USA and other countries that use the American dollar might be put off by something being priced in Euros online?

Cheers!

Chris.

[c4s]

Why don't you just offer both currencies?


Anyway, a question about your recent 20 EUR offer (good one, made me consider buying it, although I'm not that interested in it ):
I didn't really follow your conversations weeks ago, about 2.0(?) beeing released soon etc. So do you have this offer until the new version gets released and then there is the full price again and I can't update?

[PrincieD]

Why don't you just offer both currencies?


Anyway, a question about your recent 20 EUR offer (good one, made me consider buying it, although I'm not that interested in it ):
I didn't really follow your conversations weeks ago, about 2.0(?) beeing released soon etc. So do you have this offer until the new version gets released and then there is the full price again and I can't update?

Thanks c4s, I might just do that when the major release is ready the upgrade will be free to all users registered already but the price will be increased slightly from what it is now for new people registering (which I think is fare and keeps it affordable )

Chris.

[IdeasVacuum]

...try embedding an XE currency converter in your website - that instantly gives a customer a guide to the price in their currency:

http://www.xe.com/ucc/customize.php

[OldSkoolGamer]

Either way is fine for me too, i purchased it already & it was euros, I just checked XE.com to check current exchange rates beforehand.

[DoubleDutch]

PrincieD: You want to tilt the exchange rate in your favour and include the conversion fee that you might have to pay. Otherwise you won't get as much.

[PrincieD]

IdeasVacuum, OldSkoolGamer, DoubleDutch: Thanks for the comments and suggestions I'll have a think about it a bit more.

Chris.