Developers > LayoutProperties
LayoutProperties 3.0 : Simply The Biggest Time Saver For FileMaker Developers
FileMaker is known as a layout-centric architecture. It means that depending on the layout currently displayed, you can access some data.
In such an architecture, enpowering the layout by specifying its properties and behaviours increases your control over your solutions by a great factor.
LayoutProperties' basic concept is simple: information can be stored at layout level.
In other words, a layout can contain the information it needs to display itself as a modal window or full screen list in preview mode... and much, much more.
The layout is also able to define variables or trigger scripts*, and can change its behaviour depending on context and data.
You are probably concious of the power FileMaker gives you with two environments: Database structure and ScriptMaker.
Imagine you have a third one : the layout.
Download the demo file and the screencast to see examples of what can be accomplished with LayoutProperties. We know you'll do a lot more.
Another great thing is that LayoutProperties is easily integrated in your solutions. No field or relationship is required. Just perform the appropriate LayoutProperties script where you previously used the Go To Layout script step.
After using LayoutProperties for a while, you’ll realise how painful programming was, before your layouts became smart.
LayoutProperties 3.0 brings incredible new features such as window elasticity, animated transitions, and conditional modals.
It is distributed as a commercial open source product: you can use LayoutProperties as much as you like in your solutions. Pay once, use it many times.
LayoutProperties 3.0 is offered as a free update to early adopters of previous versions (LayoutProperties 1.0 - which was much more difficult to use - was already referenced in several ISO FileMaker Magazine video articles - see hereunder).
http://www.filemakermagazine.com/videos/smart-layouts-a-new-way-of-doing-things.html
http://www.filemakermagazine.com/videos/smart-layouts-revisited.html
*Third party free plugin is required (DoScript and zippScript are currently supported)
Feature list
Main Features :
- Navigation history
- Remember user moves/resizing
- Restore tab panels state
- Popup windows / Modals / Conditional modals
- Move/Resize
- Adjust window (introducing real full screen)
- Elasticity (non resizable windows)
- Trigger scripts (3rd party free plug-in required)
- Window uniqueness
- Window title
- View as (Form, List, Table)
- Window mode (Browse, Find, Preview)
- Zoom level/lock
- Status area state/lock
- Text ruler
- Behaviours (onBeforeLeave, onAfterDisplay, onModalCloseInvalidCondition, onBeforeModalClose, onAfterModalClose)
- Behaviours include : define variables, go to objects, trigger scripts
- Animated transitions
- Hard code or use formulas
- Simplified syntax
- Now delivered with Ugo Di Luca’s LayoutProperties Wizard, to help setup layouts. Never been so easy!
Online Resources
Check the screencasts to see how powerful LayoutProperties is, and how simple is it to install in your solutions.
Online documentation is available in LayoutProperties wiki
A dedicated French speaking forum is also online
Purchase info
LayoutProperties is available at only 99€ VAT excl. Take advantage of this fabulous offer now! > Go to our e-shop
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Testimonials
http://www.filemakermagazine.com/
"Using a dedicated layout object, you can reduce the total number of steps in many of your scripts. Full window control can be harnessed when using this technique - it's something I would consider core to any solution!"
http://www.documalia-fmp.com/
"I have used LP for three different developments (two small projects, less than 10 days work each, and a medium project, around 25 days)
The first time was a bit painful, partially due to my lack of experience, partially because of my desire to fully understand every single functionality, in the hope to save time on future developments. This proved the right decision: not only does LP save you time on interface and navigation development, its major benefit is in the substantial increase in application reliability and robustness.
The combined use of various essential functions (such as pop-up, variables and scripts management) saves precious testing time. You now know the window is unique, the variable set, the script run... This is the most comforting feature: it ensures reliable (and therefore peaceful) developments. Having all the information available in the same place in each layout is great.
One last thing: now that I have integrated LP in my modules, adapting from one development to another is even simpler and faster. Truly an efficiency multiplier.
Thierry Riva, QuickClick, Geneva, Switzerland
http://www.power-office.ch/
"Clients value the importance I give to user interface and navigation in all my projects.
LP has rapidly become a key development tool, greatly simplifying my everyday work and allowing me to stay concentrated on developments' true challenges.
Whatever the importance of a project a client may come to see me with, I know I can count on LP and will not have to handle secondary tasks, thereby saving many hours' work.
This must be the investment - really small investment - that has offered me the fastest return. My quality of life in the office has also benefitted from LP"
Francis Bonvin
http://www.gannon.ch/
"LayoutProperties makes my life easier everyday, as well as my customers'. No more window management scripting. No more very-similar-but-not-quite-the-same scripts. No more painful and buggish navigation scripts.
I dreamed it... LayoutProperties litterally transforms FileMaker with long awaited features as window size locking or animations"
http://www.empreintepro.com/
"LayoutProperties considerably compacts my scripts"
Downloads
> Watch the screencast : iPhone - Large
> Watch the 'How-to' : Part I - Part II