Building EGL Text User Interface applications with the Text Form editor

With the EGL Text Form editor, you can edit a FormGroup part graphically. The Text Form editor works with FormGroup parts, their form parts, and the fields in those form parts in much the same way as other graphical editors work with files such as web pages and web diagrams. At any time, you can click the Source tab at the bottom of the editor and see the EGL source code that the editor is generating.

The Text Form editor has these parts:
  • The editor itself, which displays the graphical representation of the form group and that form group's source code. You can switch between the graphical representation and the source code by clicking the Design and Source tabs at the bottom of the editor. Changes to the Source view or Design view are reflected immediately in the other view.
  • The Properties view, which displays the EGL properties of the form or field currently selected in the editor.
  • The Palette view, which displays the types of forms and fields that can be created in the editor.
  • The Outline view, which displays a hierarchical view of the form group open in the editor.
The Text Form editor has these features:
  • The Text Form editor can edit the size and properties of a form group. To edit the properties of a form group, open the form group in the Text Form editor and change its properties in the Properties view. To resize a form group, open it in the Text Form editor and choose a size in characters from the list at the top of the editor.
  • The Text Form editor can create, edit, and delete forms in a form group. To create a form, click the appropriate type of form on the Palette view and draw a rectangle that represents the size and location of the form in the editor. To edit a form, click it to select it, and then use the Properties view to edit its properties. You can also drag a form to move it, or resize it using the resize handles that are on the border of a selected form. Many of the same options are available when you right-click a form to open its menu. See Creating a simple text or print form.
  • The Text Form editor uses templates to create commonly used types of forms, such as popup forms and popup menus. These forms have pre-made borders, sections, and fields. Creating a form from a template.
  • With the Text Form editor, you can create, edit, and delete fields in a form. To create a field, click the appropriate type of field on the Palette view and draw a rectangle that represents the size and location of the field in the editor. You can add a field only within an existing form. To edit a field, click it to select it, and then use the Properties view to edit its properties. You can also copy and paste a field, drag a field to move it, or resize a field using the resize handles that are on the border of a selected form. Many of the same options are available when you right-click a field to open its menu. SeeCreating a constant field or Creating a variable field.
  • Filters can prevent forms from being shown in the Text Form editor, enabling you to mimic the appearance of the form group at run time. To switch filters, create a filters, or edit filters, use the Filters button at the top of the editor. See Filtering the editor.
  • You can customize the appearance of the Text Form editor by using the display options at the top of the editor and by setting the editor preferences in the Preferences window. For example, these options can display a grid over the form group, increase or decrease the zoom level, and show or hide sample values in fields. SeeDisplay options for the EGL Text Form editor or Setting preferences for the Text Form editor.