Re: [Boa Constr] Mixing in unsupported widgets and other questions

[Riaan B. <riaan@e.co.za>]

Hi Scott, rest assured, you are supposed to add your own code to the 
generated code. In brief, just don't touch the _init_* methods.

Harris Scott R CIV AFRL/SNJM wrote:
> 
> I'm looking for some documentation or guidance regarding the overall
> intended use of Boa Constructor.  I'm able to build simple demo apps, but I keep
> getting the feeling that I'm using the tool incorrectly.
> 
> For example, my goal is to build a GUI around an app I'm writing that uses the visualization toolkit (VTK).
> If I build the GUI and then add code to insert a wxVTKRenderWindow everything works fine. Going back to the
> designer and making changes causes my added code to be deleted.  

Where did you put the code that got lost?

> Where can or can't I put code I've written?

All methods starting with _init_* are generated and maintained by Boa.
Their bodies are regenerated when you open the designer and post
changes.

When events are defined, an On* method will be added to your class,
Boa does not touch the bodies of these methods.

Any other methods will be left as they are.

> Can I modify the code written by Boa Constructor, or will that break something?

Yes you may edit generated code (_init_* methods). As long as the 
structure is consistent with generated code it will be parsed when 
the Designer is opened. This is not advised though. (Humans aren't as
consistent as computers)

> 
> What are good strategies for mixing my code with Boa's code?

In your case just define your wxVTKRenderWindow in __init__ below the 
call to _init_ctrls.

You may add any number of classes/functions to a generated module.
You may add any attributes or methods to a generated class.

> 
> In addition, is there a simple way to rename the classes I'm creating.  If I start building an about box I'd like to
> call it wxMyAboutBox or something like that. Boa calls it wxDialog1.  Is there a simple way to change the name
> of objects?

In the Inspector, change the Name property of the Frame, Dialog or
control.
To change the name of the module, do a Save As...

> 
> I guess what I'm really looking for is a few pages of documentation that describe the design philosophy, high level operation of
>  the program, and how to use it to build large, real programs.

I will add this to the todo list.

> 
> As I come up to speed, I'd be happy to help out and write up some additional documentation.  It might also be useful to
> make the guide available as a separate download.  I found it by accident because it's not part of the 0.4 download.

Kevin Gill wrote the Guide/Tutorial since the 0.0.4 release, it will 
be part of 0.0.5.

> 
> Thanks for your help in advance,
> -Scott Harris
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Boa-constructor-users mailing list
> Boa...@li...
> http://lists.sourceforge.net/mailman/listinfo/boa-constructor-users

-- 
Riaan Booysen
___________________________________________________
Boa Constructor - RAD GUI building IDE for wxPython
     http://boa-constructor.sourceforge.net