• Wildo
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  • Registered: 2016-02-23
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Grid size and spacing

Hi,

while using the form designer I noticed that it is not possible to adjust the grid size and spacing or disable the grid completely.

Sometimes I would like to position the elements on a form by pixel. Is it possible to release that function with a future update?

Second thing i noticed is, there is no undo/redo function. I think a undo/redo would be very helpful.

Third point to mention: why is there no way to copy a complete form to another? This would make the creation of multiple forms with nearly the same layout a breeze.

Just saying.

Regards
Wildo

  • Registered: 2014-06-25
  • Posts: 867

Re: Grid size and spacing

+1 for everything above big_smile

It is possible to disable the grid using the additional properties using versions 2.x though.

  • derek
  • derek
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  • Registered: 2015-02-16
  • Posts: 2,687

Re: Grid size and spacing

Hello Wildo, Thierry,

I'm not sure I'm understanding what you mean by adjusting the grid size and spacing - do you mean the amount that objects move when you drag them across the form using the mouse?  If so, then you can 'fine tune' it using the LEFT and TOP object properties which moves the object by pixel.

I agree with the comment about copying a form which can't be done within MVD.   However, you can always copy and paste en masse all of the objects from one form onto a new 'blank' form using ALT+SHIFT+click which is pretty quick and easy.
Alternatively, if you want an EXACT copy of a form, I just edit the forms.xml file. 
1.  Open forms.xml using something like Notepad.
2.  Find the block of text where the form you want to copy starts and ends, copy and paste it and then just change the form name. 
3.  Save the forms.xml file, go back into MVD and there your copied form is. 

It takes about 30 seconds.  It doesn't really matter where you actually place it in forms.xml because you can always move it when you go back into MVD by dragging on the form tab.

For new projects, I use a projects template (which has all my standard tables, scripts and forms such as 'sign-on' forms, authorised user forms, help forms - all the stuff I use in every project).  And any forms specific to the new project that I need, I will then copy by editing forms.xml as outlined above.  It's amazing how RAD you can make MVD (great if you're lazy like me!!).

Maybe this can save you some time.

Derek.

  • Registered: 2014-06-25
  • Posts: 867

Re: Grid size and spacing

Thanks Derek for the tips !

  • Wildo
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  • Registered: 2016-02-23
  • Posts: 4

Re: Grid size and spacing

derek wrote:

I'm not sure I'm understanding what you mean by adjusting the grid size and spacing - do you mean the amount that objects move when you drag them across the form using the mouse?  If so, then you can 'fine tune' it using the LEFT and TOP object properties which moves the object by pixel.

Hello Derek. Thanks for the tip. I appreciate it very much. Of course you can do some sort of "fine tuning" using the object properties but I think an adjustable grid is some sort of standard nowadays which I really missed. My personal opinion is that you are way faster dropping the objects onto the forms if you are able to adjust the grid size and spacing. But that is of course my humble opinion. :-)

derek wrote:

I agree with the comment about copying a form which can't be done within MVD.   However, you can always copy and paste en masse all of the objects from one form onto a new 'blank' form using ALT+SHIFT+click which is pretty quick and easy.
Alternatively, if you want an EXACT copy of a form, I just edit the forms.xml file. 
1.  Open forms.xml using something like Notepad.
2.  Find the block of text where the form you want to copy starts and ends, copy and paste it and then just change the form name. 
3.  Save the forms.xml file, go back into MVD and there your copied form is.

As I said before I think it would be a tad more convenient to not just multi-select the objects and copy&paste them onto the new form and adjust the forms size afterwards but to copy&paste the form itself with all objects in place. The way you suggested is of course a way to go but I personaly don't like to bugger about with the xml code. I like it when it's intuitive and comfortable. ;-)

derek wrote:

For new projects, I use a projects template (which has all my standard tables, scripts and forms such as 'sign-on' forms, authorised user forms, help forms - all the stuff I use in every project).  And any forms specific to the new project that I need, I will then copy by editing forms.xml as outlined above.  It's amazing how RAD you can make MVD (great if you're lazy like me!!).

That's a good advice. I'll give that a try.

Thank you for your ideas and explanations. I really appreciate them.

I just wanted to give some advice to make the UI a little more comfortable. smile

And sorry for my "bad English". I'm not a native speaker but I try my best! big_smile

Best regards
Michael

  • derek
  • derek
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  • Registered: 2015-02-16
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Re: Grid size and spacing

Hi Michael,
Yes, totally agree that copying a form should be a standard MVD function (together with quite a few other UI improvements that I hope will be in future releases) and that it's better NOT to edit forms.xml directly. 
BUT, given a choice between editing forms.xml and creating a copy of an existing form the long way, I'll choose to edit - LOL!
Derek.