Android Question B4A control placement

[Nitin Joshi]

Dear B4A team, I am very much comfortable with B4A programming except one thing, control placement. Even for the simplest example, view on mobile screen and view on designer is not similar. I have to put lots of efforts/trial and error to make sure view on mobile/tab screen is ok.

I am really looking for the good solution.

 

[Erel]

Even for the simplest example, view on mobile screen and view on designer is not similar

Please post an example.

It should be simple to build the layout with the designer. Maybe you are confused because of the AutoScaleAll method in the designer script. Delete it.

 

[Nitin Joshi]

I always use AutoScaleAll line in both, Script-General & Script-Variant.
I want to understand theory/logic in detail regarding this subject, thanks.

 

[Erel]

I always use AutoScaleAll line in both, Script-General & Script-Variant.

This is a mistake. AutoScaleAll should never be called more than once.

1. Don't use the variant specific script at all.
2. Start with a single variant.
3. Use anchors whenever possible.

 

[AnandGupta]

Hi Nitin

When B4A was build, variant specific script was used. As B4A and Android evolved, they are no longer useful. Using anchors is best approach in new B4A.

Regards,

Anand

 

[Nitin Joshi]

Thanks Erel and Mr. Anand for your feedback. But how can we achieve below with anchors?
1) Anchors help to make the placement of controls w.r.t. left/top/right to Edge/bottom or all four sides. But when there is multiple columns and rows of Buttons then how to achieve placement correctly?
2) Anchors do not help to adjust control size in proportion.
3) With single variant, how to achieve both orientations?

 

[AnandGupta]

Hi Nitin

Please upload a small project or screen shot so that we can figure out the problem you are facing.

Regards,

Anand

 

[Nitin Joshi]

Dear Mr. Anand, I am uploading small project. Please help me to understand control placement theory...thanks.

 

[emexes]

1) ... multiple columns and rows of Buttons then how to achieve placement correctly?
2) adjust control size in proportion.

+1
I too would be interested in seeing if/how this works across even a limited range of aspect ratios, with designer and autoscaling ie without coding/scripting.

 

[Erel]

Anchors help to make the placement of controls w.r.t. left/top/right to Edge/bottom or all four sides. But when there is multiple columns and rows of Buttons then how to achieve placement correctly?

Not with anchors.

Anchors do not help to adjust control size in proportion.

That's true.

With single variant, how to achieve both orientations?

It depends on the layout. You can use two variants if you must.

Anchors is a tool that goes together with other tools. There is no goal not to use the designer script.

About the example you've uploaded. Where is the problem? What is the question?

 

[klaus]

I would put all your layouts on panels.
Use AutoScale and center the panels in the DesignerScript.

Attached the mofified project.
I modified only the layouts for Home_Screen and DS1.

 

[Nitin Joshi]

Code

About the example you've uploaded. Where is the problem? What is the question?

Size of controls is not appropriate.
Controls are not placed properly.

Request to view each design window.

 

[AnandGupta]

Hi Nitin

I think Klaus has understood your problem and given idea of the solution too, by adding panel.
Did it solve your problem ?
If not, please upload image of what you can see and what you want to see.

Regards,

Anand