AveForms -- a testing study

AveForms is another side project which has resulted from a need to have fully-customizeable, DirectX-enabled forms, dialogs and menus. It came from my tinkering about some configs which resembled standard Windows dialogs and stuff, & the more I messed with them the better I liked what I was coming up with.

The first few prototypes that I have, chances are you all have seen a few of them. Remember the Ave Window Manager stuff I was messing with a while back? This is IT.

What you HAVEN'T seen is that the whole time I've been developing AveShell and AeroShell, I've been trying to get it working on a system-wide level. By means of a hooking system, I think it's possible to have, say, Windows Explorer display MY AveForm rather than its' default one when clicking the same button to do the same thing.

An example would be when you send stuff to your recycle bin:

Compared to this:

Just a rough idea, but it conveys the point. Some new UI elements for user friendliness along with a clearer description of what you are about to do. Reversible actions are in green, non-reversible ones would be in red. Again, it's just an example, but with this way of doing things you can set it up how you want...if you want the extra description, leave it in. If you don't want it, then remove it. If you don't like the look, change it.

What do you guys think of the idea ? Is it worth following up on ? As always, suggestions and improvements are always welcome.

#334889

again, you're going to really cool new territories. hells yeah, proceed...

#334896

All I need is a hook in the right place in Explorer (or shell 32) and the above dialog would work.

[EDIT] Something which has just crossed my mind is that since it's possible to load/unload widgets on-the-fly, the resource useage would be kept to a minimum whenever possible. All it would need is the instance for AveDesk, a decent computer so that its' done in a timely fashion, and voila. Replacements without Resource Hacker.

Samurize could do this too, and the fonts would look JUST like Windows native (not DX-rendered), thus completing the deed. Heh. I like AveDesk's way of font rendering better, tho.

#334899

"DirectX-enabled forms"

Every form is a DirectX viewport or?

#334906

However AveDesk handles it, that's what it is. If I'm calling it "DX-enabled' by mistake, please tell me lol...

The idea is that each form would be a AveDesk widget. I'm thinking that if it's done using AveScript then the configs would be nice and small too, and can be interacted with in the same way that something like your AveDesk 1.3 intro is. The XML coding will make it fast. I just have to get the hang of it all, because while the SDK does a good job of explaining things I'm foggy on how to put it all together -- something that will simply take me time to learn.

I'm of the belief that it CAN be done, tho. Maybe not quick and easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.

#334911

well... I know that Scripting engine still has lots of work to do.. lots of features need to be added.. .so if there is something you need let me know.

#334914

Gah, my head is spinning, trying to comprehend it all. I don't fully understand it (and I'll be the first to admit it), looking at some of the xml configuration files for the included AveSripter Desklets helps some (I was able to make my test widget flip over hehe...big deal for me), but I have a LONG way to go towards "getting it".

Kinda like when I first started learning about VBScript -- learned what I needed to and ingored the rest. I still don't get stuff like "HWnd" and "HParam", so I'm definetely lacking in the advanced functions department. It's my own fault for not going any further than High School I guess.

I'm looking for "easy stuff", like scripting a config for Litestep -- reading the documentation for THAT is a lot more clear-cut, and I was able to figure things out. The documentation for AveScript is HARD for me, for some reason. I just can't put it together all that well. So chances are I'm going to have a lot of really stupid questions that I should have been able to figure out on my own lol.

Guess I need to work on getting my understanding to the next level.

Anyway.

I was looking for a way to invoke a web browser control in the documentation, couldn't find it. Another thing was how do I get a popup menu listing the contents of, say, the start menu, and have it render the text items using the AveDesk way rather than Windows' font rendering. That sort of stuff. Or how to display the System Tray. I know that's really pushing things, but it's stuff I look for. *shrug*

Sorry for all of this. The possibilities are making my head spin.

#334925

I've been busy. Added a LOT more to them.

As you can see, the idea is a consistent and attractive interface throughout. Help is available from every dialog in a familiar, easy-to-see place, and all dialogs include some sort of extra information to aid the user's understanding of the dialog being shown in a more interactive and immediate way.

Feel free to post ideas and improvements. I won't be the only one working on this if I can help it lol...

#335322

So how are you creating these forms? Your own dll or or are you mixing and matching stuff?

#335335

SysStats mix-and-match with HelloNasty's icons that he gave me permission to use. I plan to convert everything over to AveScript when I understand it better.

#335336

SysStats mix-and-match with HelloNasty's icons that he gave me permission to use. I plan to convert everything over to AveScript when I understand it better.

Cool stuff... Well if you need help.. you can always email me or msn.

#335402

I *always* need help. Y'all should know that by NOW hehe...

#335426

OH..

cool stuff..

i am a newcomer about program.

i just know how to use it= =

but

I hv a rough idea if Aveshell could replace Windows' explore whole

that will be great

coz the explore used much memory

and many function have duplicated w/ explore and Aveshell

hope that it is useful

sry for my poor English= =

#346104

No problem.

The AveShell side of the project has ended. No further updates will be made to it for the forseeable future. And with it went the AveForms Testing project as well.

There were a lot of things that AveDesk/SysStats/AveScripter can do which were and are beyond my capabilities to make happen. Maybe someone who has mastered AveScripting would be willing to take over. Barring that, the project really has hit a dead end.

Anyone wishing to take over AveShell development who knows their stuff can contact me via PM and we'll discuss it.

#346110

if you integrate a supercopier2's system like inside and if the consomption of ressources is not too large I will download it...

ps : is it skinnable ?

#348869