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microsoft.public.dotnet.framework.drawing

GUI for tabletop interaction. Is it possible?

Daniel Tomasini

1/10/2005 4:21:00 PM

Iâ??ve implemented a GUI for a tabletop device using C# and the .NET framework
1.1. At the moment, my interface consists of a collection of virtual sheets
of paper in which you can draw. Those documents can be rotated and moved. For
the first prototype, I implemented all the graphics by myself in the code.
But now I have to reengineer this system in order to add functions. Iâ??m
planning to use the standard components, like buttons, textbox, panels, etc.
Then, as the second step, I will use activeX, video players, PowerPoint
documents, Excel documents etc. Of course, all those things should rotate as
well.

So, the question is: Can I extend components, or forms (or generic Windows
components...), in order to rotate them? As to as I now, it seems to be
impossible to change the orientation of a Componentâ??s ClipRectangle in C#,
even if itâ??s only possible to rotate their graphic interface.
Are there some MS developers who can help me?

Here is the video of the first prototype:
http://tcc.itc.it/people/promo/CHILpromo...
3 Answers

alejandro lapeyre

1/10/2005 7:58:00 PM

0

I have seen the video and it is very interesting.

The controls can not write to a rotated DC, so the best you can do is to
catch the updates, provide your own DC, rotate the DC and then display it.

Since there are not so many controls, I think you should write some controls
with that ability from scratch. It is a very interesting project.

You would then not depend on what microsoft is doing in the controls, and
what the will do to them in the future. By the way, the common controls are
very inefficient in some display issues.

best regards
Alejandro Lapeyre

"Daniel Tomasini (ITC - Italy)"
<DanielTomasiniITCItaly@discussions.microsoft.com> escribió en el mensaje
news:4735157D-E17D-4771-9785-C3AB16013802@microsoft.com...
> I've implemented a GUI for a tabletop device using C# and the .NET
> framework
> 1.1. At the moment, my interface consists of a collection of virtual
> sheets
> of paper in which you can draw. Those documents can be rotated and moved.
> For
> the first prototype, I implemented all the graphics by myself in the code.
> But now I have to reengineer this system in order to add functions. I'm
> planning to use the standard components, like buttons, textbox, panels,
> etc.
> Then, as the second step, I will use activeX, video players, PowerPoint
> documents, Excel documents etc. Of course, all those things should rotate
> as
> well.
>
> So, the question is: Can I extend components, or forms (or generic Windows
> components...), in order to rotate them? As to as I now, it seems to be
> impossible to change the orientation of a Component's ClipRectangle in C#,
> even if it's only possible to rotate their graphic interface.
> Are there some MS developers who can help me?
>
> Here is the video of the first prototype:
> http://tcc.itc.it/people/promo/CHILpromo...
>


Adam Edell via DotNetMonster.com

1/14/2005 10:42:00 AM

0

Hey,
Love the video, its very interesting.
I cant really help with your problem concerning rotating controls, however how a few questions about the project.
I dont want to troble you, if you are to busy to reply ill understand, here are some of the questions.
The table top, uses a projector on to ..any flat surface? eg a table(obviously)

How do you track the pen movements, is it the infra red thingy on top?
How do you know the position of say a window on the table, is the setup of the projector (distance from table, factor?)
What kind of initialization, if any, is there for the main workspace?

Ive been thinking (dreaming mainly), of a OS interface, similar to that in Minority Report (if youve seen it). Your table top interface is the closest ive seen.
Thx for your time.

Steve.
btw. Nice GUI, I once designed a windows '95 GUI replica in qbasic. O_o

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Adam Edell via DotNetMonster.com

1/14/2005 10:55:00 AM

0

Oh, by the way...
An idea might be to make your Agenda and Outcome windows, dockable/undockable to an active window, which can act like intelligent tabbed windows, like the properties window in visual studio.
If docked the windows are rotated with the active window, so the current user can access them easily, without having to rotate them, as they are probably the ones who need to access them.
Having them automatically slide open and shut (if docked) gives everyone more workspace and better control over, two windows that are constantly open, and displayed in the workspace.
Just an idea,

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