AltResizeScript
WHY?
Sometimes the Geometry Manager is too automated and developers wish to 'roll their own' resize stack handlers. This tool helps.

TO USE:

This plugin is different from Geometry Manager in that it auto-generates on ResizeStack scripts.

1. Select the object you wish to generate a script for and check the Behavior you would like:

Move Right - Allows the object to move to the right as the stack is resized

Move Down - Allows the object to move down as the stack is resized

Scale Right - Scales the object's width as the stack is resized

Scale Down - Scales the object's height as the stack is resized

Once the behavior is chosen, then click the Set altProps & Make Script button. A couple of properties will be set with some dimension data for the item and a script will be generated. You can continue to do this ONE OBJECT AT A TIME and then copy and paste the script into an on resizeStack x,y handler. Or just click the Set Script in Card and it will do it for you. It's important that the resizeStack handler be:

on resizeStack x,y

end resizeStack

AltLayoutManager

WHY?
Sometimes the Geometry Manager is too automated and developers wish to 'roll their own' resize stack handlers. This tool helps.

Use Layout Manager to handle resizable stacks and control layouts for cross-platform applications. Here's how it works.

With Layout Manager, you can create different layouts with controls differently sized and with different behaviors for up to 3 different platforms. Layout Manager includes a library stack, and auto-generates resizeStack scripts, which users may modify at a later time if they wish.

Typically, you should first layout the controls on a stack which is the minimum width and height you want the stack to be. Then, use the Set MinWidth and Set MinHeight commands on the Stack tab. Now you're ready to set the resizer properties for those controls you wish to be 'dynamic.'

You'll need to add the altLayoutLib library stack to your project. This is done by clicking the add altLayout library button in the Stack tab. You will be then prompted to automatically insert a preOpenStack script. If your stack has only a single card which people will be resizing, then put the script in the card script, else put it in the stack script.

Please note: Layout Manager puts it's own 'on preOpenStack' handler at the top of the card/stack script. If you already have an 'on preOpenStack' handler then you'll need to manually copy the 'start using stack "altLayoutLib"' command into it.

Next, choose the Control tab, and choose the platform radio button you're currently wanting to set the resizer properties for. Use Mac OSX, or Win XP(and all Win32), or Other (for Linux, or Mac OS9). Now, press the arrow button to go to 'Pointer' mode. You can now resize controls and set their behaviors. Be sure and click the Set Layout Props button when you are finished editing a single control.

Each time you click the Set Layout Props button, Layout Manager builds it's own 'on resizeStack' handler at the top of the card/stack script you previously designated when adding the library. If you don't want Layout Manager to replace it's own scripts, then edit the comments next to the resizeStack handler and then the next time Layout Manager builds a resizeStack script it will insert it above your custom version. You only then need to cut/paste the auto-generated scripts into your own 'on resizeStack' handler.

One of the added benefits of taking this approach, is the developer has full control over the resizeStack handler and can modify it to suit special situations.

Possible behaviors:

Move Right - moves a control right when the window is enlarged. Good for buttons.

Move Down - moves a control down when the window is enlarged. Good for buttons.

Scale Right - expands a control right when the window is enlarged. Good for fields.

Scale Down - expands a control downward when the window is enlarged. Good for fields.

Center Width - centers a control horizontally on the window. Good for logos at the top of a window.

Center Height - centers a control vertically on the window.

Notes: Layout Manager automatically saves a customPropSet called "altLayoutManager" which is used on startup to set values for the particular platform the app is running on.

Note: Thanks Ken Ray for script help.