[Etoys-notify] [JIRA] Commented: (SQ-219) target grid guide

[jira at immuexa.com]

     [ http://tracker.immuexa.com/browse/SQ-219?page=comments#action_34152 ]
     
Yoshiki Ohshima commented on SQ-219:
------------------------------------

While showing the target grid of 800x600 may be a solution to something, I think a more clear problem statement here is needed before been driven by a solution.

The problem, as far as I gather, was to set a common project size so that people can share their projects much easier.  We for a while stuck with 1200x900 for that purpose (but not not as strictly as some may have wanted).

1) With the screen scaling feature, the actual screen size is not the real decisive factor.  For a 600 high display, 900 high virtual screen is a "ok".
2) On the other hand, scaling adds performance penalty, and scaling down does add some visual artifact.  One may want to avoid it.
3) With 800x600, yes it fits within a web browser running in a XGA screen.
4) When running Etoys as an application, the initial size of window can be set by us (in a typical case; where the actual display has enough room for the size we specify).
5) It is hard to show viewers and menu bar "outside" of the Etoys project extent.
6) Showing the grid wouldn't really help.  The positions in scripts will be different once it is exported and loaded onto a different sized computer (without scaling).  If we want the content creators not to exceed the boundary, scaling or just making the etoys image in that size would do it.
7) We care about the "initial experience".  People may be able to set their Etoys size afterwards, but there can be a standard size.  So, "toggling back to the standard size" is less important.

So, finally, here is my suggestion #1:
a) We set the standard size to 1200x900 (, which is bigger than the actual screen for many computers).
b) For Windows/Mac/non-XO Linux, we make the application window size is 800x600 and always scale to 1200x900.
c) in the browser, we set the embedded object size to 800x600 and always scale to 1200x900.
d) For those who want to use different size, we provide a way out (but not necessarily get in).

My suggestion #2:
a) We set the standard size to 800x600 (, and basically we say we don't support any smaller screen than that).
b) For Windows/Mac/non-XO Linux, if the actual screen size is bigger than that, we start in a window that holds the 800x600 pixels Etoys screen.  If the actual vertical pixel size is 600 and cannot accommodate window embelishment, we just get into the full-screen mode. with "Centered Virtual Extent" (if necessary).
c) on XO, we run it in "Centered Virtual Extent"; i.e., have 800x600 pixels at the screen center, and surround it with gray border.  (We can optimize it so that Centered Virtual Extent doesn't involve WarpBlt.)
d) For those who want to use different size, we provide a way out (but not necessarily get in).



> target grid guide
> -----------------
>
>          Key: SQ-219
>          URL: http://tracker.immuexa.com/browse/SQ-219
>      Project: squeakland
>         Type: Task
>   Components: etoys
>     Reporter: timothy
>     Priority: Critical
>      Fix For: M1: first alpha (may)

>
>
> Make it easy for an Etoys content developer to see the "target grid" of 800x600, so they can see the boundaries within their Etoys project.   Some kind of toggle that shows & hides the target grid would be optimal.
> Note that viewers can always be "outside" the target grid .. the target grid is really about where we leave initial objects, though if the project is for interactive demonstration purposes (in-class), authors should leave room for viewers if necessary.  The other venue, the web-plugin, is less of a "viewer should fit too" place (though maybe not).
> Possible extensions to this issue include making the toggle constrain actual use, much resizing to a window size of 800x600.  That might be the easiest, actual ... resize window to allow 800x600 only.

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