4D Write Pro and the UI widgets

4D Write Pro has no default interface because it’s meant to be embedded in your application. Therefore, it needs to fit your user interface design and provide just the right amount of features for your use case(s). We decided to provide you an easy way to create your own interface with Standard Actions. Since starting from scratch is not always easy, we’ve made widgets available that you can use directly. Better yet, if you’re a partner, you can even customize them (i.e., remove features, change the order/organization of tabs, buttons, etc.)!

In this blog post, we’ll go through the interface possibilities offered by 4D Write Pro.

1- New 4D write pro toolbar

The 4D Write Pro toolbar has been available since this summer. We understand if you didn’t read our blog on the beach! That’s ok, take a moment to read this post or watch the video to see the toolbar in action! By simply dragging and dropping a new item from the Object Library, you get a complete toolbar with seven different tabs to quickly switch between actions.

With the exception of a few features, the widget makes extensive use of standard actions. 

2- customized contextual menu

The default contextual menu doesn’t suit your needs? Maybe there’s too many nested actions? Or maybe the order isn’t exactly how you want it? 
With classic 4D commands such as Dynamic pop up menu, APPEND MENU ITEM, and SET MENU ITEM PROPERTY, you can create your own contextual menu and associate it to your 4D Write Pro area.

Just like the toolbar, it’s very easy to associate actions with a menu item using standard actions. In the example below, you can simply insert the copy item via the APPEND MENU ITEM command:

// Create menu 
myMenu:=Create menu
// Insert the "copy" item
APPEND MENU ITEM(myMenu;ak standard action title)
SET MENU ITEM PROPERTY(myMenu;-1;Associated standard action;ak copy)

3- 4D Write pro side panel

Since this blog post is dedicated to the 4D Write Pro interface, we couldn’t fail to mention the very first widget. 

Ring any bells?

This widget was created at the very beginning of 4D Write Pro, and we’re enhancing it as we add new features. Unlike the toolbar, this widget is entirely made with 4D Write Pro commands.

to sum up…

4D Write Pro offers many possibilities to customize your UI. You’re not limited to basic, off-the-shelf interfaces. Standard Actions, combined with your imagination, will allow you to achieve amazing results.