WizTools - 1.x Plugin Development Toolkit

[JavaWiz]

I've developed a helper DLL and preliminary tutorial document for creating GBPVR 1.x plugins. I used the DLL to create SearchWizX2 plugin, so I thought I'd share with others.

It is definitely in the beta stage, and most assuredly has bugs and some under-developed features. I've found it to work well for developing plugins with simple interfaces (ie label, button, text box and list).

If there is interest, I'd be glad to share and eventually post on the wiki.

Any comments and/or suggestions are welcome.

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WizTools were developed to make development of GBPVR plugins easier and to provide a 'framework' for new developers wanting to create plugins.


The tools consist of:
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* UI controls (Label, TextBox, List, CommandButton)
* A Skeleton plugin to model new plugins after (used in the walk-thru).
* Helper objects for UI and GBPVR management.
* A help file describing all properties and methods for the helper object model (WizTools.chm).
* A working example plugin (WizUIHelperDemoPlugin) complete with C# code and skin.xml
* A developer document with a plugin development walk-thru guide.

10/11/07 : v1.0.12
* Fixed Rendering required method for controls that are not visisble (always returns false).
* Added callback interface to WizUiButtonList
* Updates to HttpInfoGrabber

09/27/07 : v1.0.11
* Enhanced HttpInfoGrabber to provide potential show items and URLs. These are entries that show in the exact, partial, approximate and popular title sections.
* Added supporting methods parseTitleFromTitleUrlEntry(), parseUrlFromTitleUrlEntry(), getPotentialTitlesArrayList() for retrieving new data items in HttpInfoGrabber.
* Added exception handling on get Thumbnail image if not found.

[McBainUK]

Hey this look good. I'm particulary interested in the IMDB lookup.

Can the textbox only take keyboard input or does it handle remotes/mobile phone type entry?

edit should have read the docs! is capable of SMS entry via the Remote control device. This is a kiler feature: The list can allow single or multiple selected items, auto position based on keyboard input. So if I press D, for example it will auto scroll to the first item begining with D, yes?

[JavaWiz]

This is a kiler feature: The list can allow single or multiple selected items, auto position based on keyboard input. So if I press D, for example it will auto scroll to the first item begining with D, yes?

Yes. Obviously, this only really makes sense if the list is sorted, but it will auto position based on keystroke entered.

I am currently trying to figure out how to make the text box scroll capable incase the text is too long to fit in view. I'd like to make it internal, so additional composite elements are not neccessary to display the scroll image.

[JavaWiz]

Updated Tools to v1.0.6.

New Features/Fixes:

08/23/07 : v1.0.6
* Added Keymapping to Horizontal lists so arrow keys worked more logically
* Added logic to WizUiTextBox to handle arrow keys better
* Fixed a memory issue with List, TextBox and Labels
* Added scroll function to text box
* Added @moreUp and @moreDown variables to scrolling text box

See attached zip on 1st thread for download.

[McBainUK]

I'd like to use your libray for the next version of the Cinema Listings plugin (and if it proves useful some of the others too).

Where should your dll be put? I know there was talk of a 'common' directory but don't know if its still in the works or has actually been implemented.

Looking forward to a WizBain plugin

[psycik]

I think the common directory is in place as of 1.0.16. I've asked sub if it's possible to us the plugins directory for referenced dlls. I think he might be doing it, but it doesn't work currently.

[pastro]

I'd like to use your libray for the next version of the Cinema Listings plugin (and if it proves useful some of the others too).

Where should your dll be put? I know there was talk of a 'common' directory but don't know if its still in the works or has actually been implemented.

Looking forward to a WizBain plugin

I put it in the gbpvr dir and it worked fine.

[nitrogen_widget]

Plugin development intimidates me.
I'll take a look at this.

thanks.

[JavaWiz]

I'd like to use your libray for the next version of the Cinema Listings plugin (and if it proves useful some of the others too).

Where should your dll be put? I know there was talk of a 'common' directory but don't know if its still in the works or has actually been implemented.

Looking forward to a WizBain plugin

It should work by placing the in the plugin/common directory, in fact that is where SearchWizX2 deploys the DLL.

[psycik]

I put it in the gbpvr dir and it worked fine.

I think it will now, but I think there is going to be a move to not put stuff in the gbpvr directory later on. Its part of the "Vista-isation" of gbpvr. Vista seems to get a bit snotty about files changing in the program files directory....but I don't know how much that affects dll references.