Piggy backing a "windowreferencecontrol"

[Ken L]

I'm looking to override the default activate() function but it's protected. The main goal is to perform some logic when the windowreference is activated, for instance, updating several panels or setting some values.

My usecase is a ship control panel, opening subsystems of a ship to access their details will update a desktop panel element of that subsystem's layout automatically, making the desktop panel serve as an 'info panel' of sorts in the context of the opened windowreference. I ideally want to have a single piece of logic on the trigger point, rather than have separate scripts for each window class when opened given how similar it is save for a few datum I can easily grab in the windowreference itself.

[Bidmaron]

KenL, you keep running across the same things that limit what you can do through the API, and this is another of them. I have found no way to synthesize this thing you want.

MW, if you are listening, please add to FGU:
onFocus
onActivate [windows]
onTime
onLostFocus
onDeactivate [windows]
getTime
for formattedtextcontrols:
getSelection
getSelectionLength
setSelection
setSelectionLength
getCursor
setCursor
for text control:
getSelectionLength
setSelectionLength
getCursorIcon
setCursorIcon
imagecontrols letting you specify the filename of the image rather than some hard-coded image resource [or] the ability to add a resource definition at runtime from a file location.
import .txt file into string
export string into .txt file

I would add these to the wish list (many of them are already there), but they never get any votes because no one but us modders understand the need for them.

[pindercarl]

Bidmaron.

The Wishlist isn't just useful to generate votes, but also provides an index of features requested. It's easier to look at and search the Wishlist than it is to remember that there is a thread somewhere in the forums. John and I do look at the Wishlist, so it would be helpful to add this there. Thanks.

[Nickademus]

I managed to do this. I'll post a small example in the next couple days (have to go to work soon). It have its caveats, but I manage to do anything I want with a link (which are mostly windowreferencecontrols).

[Bidmaron]

Wow, Nickademus, my hat's off to you. Looking forward to seeing it.

[Bidmaron]

I posted a list of requested API calls on Idea Informer here. Please give it a vote.

[Moon Wizard]

Usually, in these scenarios when I want something different than a built-in control, I create a brand new control template using genericcontrol as a base.

Cheers,
JPG

[Nickademus]

I needed something that could be embedded in the formattedtext. I don't believe we have any control over anything inside the formattedtextcontrol.

[Moon Wizard]

No. Though you can intercept links using the onLinkActivated event for formattedtextcontrols. I use this for reference manuals.

Regards,
JPG

[Ken L]

Here's what I ended up using.

Following Moon's suggestion, I just morphed a generic control to emulate a 'windowreferencecontrol'. I may be missing bits, but it serves my needs. I added custom logic on my activate method which I've omitted for brevity, fits in a script tag within a generic control.

local gTargetClass;
local gTargetRecordName;
local gIconNormal;
local gIconPressed;


function onInit()
end

function onClickRelease(button, x, y)
	self.setIcon(gIconNormal,true); 
	activate(); 
	return true; 
end

function onClickDown(button, x, y)
	self.setIcon(gIconPressed,true); 
	return true; 
end

function onHover(state)
	if state == false then
		self.setIcon(gIconNormal,true); 
	end
end

function setIcons(normal, pressed)
	gIconNormal = normal;
	gIconPressed = pressed; 
	self.setIcon(gIconNormal,true); 
end

function setValue(class, recordname)
	gTargetClass = class;
	gTargetRecordName = recordname; 
	onValueChanged(); 
end

function onValueChanged()
end

function isEmpty()
	return gTargetClass == nil; 
end

function getTargetDatabaseNode()
	return DB.findNode(gTargetRecordName); 
end


function activate()
	local wnd = Interface.findWindow(gTargetClass,gTargetRecordName);
	if wnd then
		wnd.bringToFront(); 
	else
		wnd = Interface.openWindow(gTargetClass,gTargetRecordName); 
	end
	return true; 
end