TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Gestures
Volume Number:5
Issue Number:2
Column Tag:HyperChat™

Gestural Devices

By Fred Stauder, HyperChat Editor, Zurich, Switzerland

on HyperChat

Gestural Devices

This month I would like to talk about gestural control devices, what they are, and how to build them to give you more flexibility in HyperCard.

What is a gestural control device? The Oxford dictionary defines the word “gesture” as: “a move calculated to evoke a response from another or to convey intention”. In this case “another” is your Macintosh, and our intention is that we want HyperCard to do something for us. An example of a gesture used as a device is “AutoScriptEdit” which I first brought to you in the May issue and which later evolved into “AutoHyperEdit”. There I used a gesture moving past the top of a button while the mouse was still down. This gesture replaced menu selections and mouse clicks. Another good example is the Gestural Video Controller from Kristee Kreitman (December Issue MacTutor see fig 1.)of the Human Interface Group at Apple Computer. Her G Device (Gestural Device) inspired me to build one using the message box in HyperCard. Kristee’s video controller works by moving the cursor left and right you enter regions which give different responses to a video player, such as “step” and “scan”.

Figure 1.

I built my G Device for two reasons. The first, was that I could control a videodisc player from any stack easily, secondly I wanted to utilize the message box. The message box can be moved anywhere easily even out of the card window (this is very useful if you have a large screen), and if the user hits a command period to halt something, you don’t have anything remaining such as an extra field or button. I thought this type of controller would be great for slide presentations using HyperCard. I had seen some other types of navigational controllers that would change cursors etc, but they felt clumsy to me and didn’t provide enough feedback. I thought you could use the rect of the message box and use the right half of it to go to next card and the left half to go to previous card. This also didn’t give enough feedback, so after a some experimentation I came up with the Gestural Video Controller (fig 2.).

Figure 2.

For a prototype I used a controller for going back and forward in a stack rather than using a videodisc player. Since many of you don’t have a videodisc player I shall show you the “CardControl” script.

The Design Considerations

It had to be called from a Handler in the home stack so it could be used anywhere.

It had to not interfere with any card or stack it was in.

It had to have feedback.

I decided it had to be modal because it would be too much of a strain on the idle loop. It is invoked by typing in “CardControl” or it’s alias “CC” into the message box or by blind typing. This brings up the message box if it is not visible and changes the cursor to a cross (see fig 3.), and tells the user to click the mouse to exit. The controller then appears (figs 2,3) the command that is executing currently is highlited(fig 3.). Moving the cursor left and right changes the command selection, for ease of navigation in this case I chose not to make vertical movement important. If you look at listing 1. I get item 1 of rect of msg to determine it’s horizontal offset.

Next I have a main loop that contains sub loops which determine if the cursor is within the commands horizontal domain. I precalculated the horizontal offsets for each command. The loops are bulky, I tried different approaches but this way seemed to give the best all around results. When the cursor is within the horizontal domain of a command the command word or symbol is selected and a click is produced (this gives additional auditory feedback), then the command is invoked.

The enterKey handler is used to bring up the CardControl again simply by pressing enter if the msg has not been emptied.

Figure 3.

Listing 1.
-- Gestural CardControl Device 0.2b --
-- By Fred Stauder
-- ©1988 all rights reserved
-- Inspired By Kristee’s Gestural Controller
-- Turns Message Box into a gestural video controller
-- put it into your Home Stack Script so it is available in all Stacks

on enterkey --This lets you hit enter again after stopping to resume--
  if ¬
  “<<<<<<<<  ••-Rev-•• <<StepII  |||STOP|||  IIStep>> ••-Fwd-••  >>>>>>>>”¬
  is in msg then videocontrol
  else pass enterkey
end enterkey

on CC  --Alias--
  cardControl
end CC

on cardControl
  
  -- initialisation and let the user know whats going on --
  set cursor to 3
  put “                ••••• Hold Down Mouse Button to Exit •••••”
  wait 10
  select line 1 of msg
  wait 10
  select empty
  wait 10
  select line 1 of msg
  wait 10
  select empty
  wait 80
  put empty into msg
  wait 20
  
  put “<<<<<<<<  ••-Rev-•• <<StepII  |||STOP|||  IIStep>> ••-Fwd-••  
>>>>>>>>” into msg
  
  wait 10
  select line 1 of msg
  wait 10
  select empty
  wait 10
  select line 1 of msg
  wait 10
  select empty
  wait 40
  put item 1 of  rect of msg into left
  
  repeat forever -- Main Loop --
    
    repeat forever -- Loop 1 from left --
      if the mouse is down
      then
        hide msg
        exit cardControl
      end if
      if the mouseH > left + 60 then exit repeat
      else
        play harpsichord tempo 100 b#x7
        select word 1 of msg
        go to previous card
      end if
    end repeat
    
    repeat forever  -- Loop 2 from left --
      if the mouse is down
      then
        hide msg
        exit cardControl
      end if
      if the mouseH < left + 70 then exit repeat
      if the mouseH > left + 135 then exit repeat
      else
        play harpsichord tempo 100 b#x7
        select word 2 of msg
        wait 10
        go to previous card
      end if
    end repeat
    
    repeat forever  -- Loop 3 from left --
      if the mouse is down
      then
        hide msg
        exit cardControl
      end if
      if the mouseH < left + 140 then exit repeat
      if the mouseH > left + 190 then exit repeat
      else
        play harpsichord tempo 100 b#x7
        select word 3 of msg
        wait 30
        go to previous card
      end if
    end repeat
    
    repeat forever -- Loop 3 from left --
      if the mouse is down
      then
        hide msg
        exit cardControl
      end if
      if the mouseH < left + 200 then exit repeat
      if the mouseH > left + 250 then exit repeat
      else
        select word 4 of msg
      end if
    end repeat
    
    repeat forever -- Loop 4 from left --
      if the mouse is down
      then
        hide msg
        exit cardControl
      end if
      if the mouseH < left + 260 then exit repeat
      if the mouseH > left + 305 then exit repeat
      else
        play harpsichord tempo 100 b#x7
        select word 5 of msg
        wait 30
        go to next card
      end if
    end repeat
    
    repeat forever  -- Loop 5 from left --
      if the mouse is down
      then
        hide msg
        exit cardControl
      end if
      if the mouseH < left + 310  then exit repeat
      if the mouseH > left +380 then exit repeat
      else
        play harpsichord tempo 100 b#x7
        select word 6 of msg
        wait 10
        go to next card
      end if
    end repeat
    
    repeat forever  -- Loop 6 from left --
      if the mouse is down
      then
        hide msg
        exit cardControl
      end if
      if  the mouseH  < left + 390 then exit repeat
      else
        play harpsichord tempo 100 b#x7
        select word 7 of msg
        go to next card
      end if
    end repeat
  end repeat
  put cardControl into msg
end cardControl

This script can be modified and used for many purposes such as I have done with a videodisk contoller, or CD controller etc. Experiment with different types of G devices. Next month I will bring you an XCMD that automates creating such a G Device.

end HyperChat

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Combo Quest (Games)
Combo Quest 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Combo Quest is an epic, time tap role-playing adventure. In this unique masterpiece, you are a knight on a heroic quest to retrieve... | Read more »
Hero Emblems (Games)
Hero Emblems 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: ** 25% OFF for a limited time to celebrate the release ** ** Note for iPhone 6 user: If it doesn't run fullscreen on your device... | Read more »
Puzzle Blitz (Games)
Puzzle Blitz 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Puzzle Blitz is a frantic puzzle solving race against the clock! Solve as many puzzles as you can, before time runs out! You have... | Read more »
Sky Patrol (Games)
Sky Patrol 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: 'Strategic Twist On The Classic Shooter Genre' - Indie Game Mag... | Read more »
The Princess Bride - The Official Game...
The Princess Bride - The Official Game 1.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $3.99, Version: 1.1 (iTunes) Description: An epic game based on the beloved classic movie? Inconceivable! Play the world of The Princess Bride... | Read more »
Frozen Synapse (Games)
Frozen Synapse 1.0 Device: iOS iPhone Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Frozen Synapse is a multi-award-winning tactical game. (Full cross-play with desktop and tablet versions) 9/10 Edge 9/10 Eurogamer... | Read more »
Space Marshals (Games)
Space Marshals 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $4.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: ### IMPORTANT ### Please note that iPhone 4 is not supported. Space Marshals is a Sci-fi Wild West adventure taking place... | Read more »
Battle Slimes (Games)
Battle Slimes 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: BATTLE SLIMES is a fun local multiplayer game. Control speedy & bouncy slime blobs as you compete with friends and family.... | Read more »
Spectrum - 3D Avenue (Games)
Spectrum - 3D Avenue 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: "Spectrum is a pretty cool take on twitchy/reaction-based gameplay with enough complexity and style to stand out from the... | Read more »
Drop Wizard (Games)
Drop Wizard 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Bring back the joy of arcade games! Drop Wizard is an action arcade game where you play as Teo, a wizard on a quest to save his... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Our MacBook Price Trackers will show you the...
Our Apple award-winning MacBook Price Trackers are continually updated with the latest information on prices, bundles, and availability for 16″ and 14″ MacBook Pros along with 13″ and 15″ MacBook... Read more
Amazon is offering a 10% discount on Apple’s...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale today for 10% off Apple’s MSRP. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently available for 16... Read more
13-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 13″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off MSRP right now, starting at $849. Sale prices apply to most colors and configurations. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a... Read more
15-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off Apple’s MSRP, starting at $1049. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: – 15″ M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1049, $... Read more
Amazon is offering a $50 discount on Apple’s...
Amazon has Apple’s 11th-generation A16 iPads in stock on sale for $50 (or a little more) off MSRP this week. Shipping is free: – 11″ 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP – 11″ 11th-... Read more
Clearance 13-inch M1 MacBook Airs available f...
Walmart has clearance, but new, Apple 13″ M1 MacBook Airs (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) available online for $649, $360 off original MSRP, in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold colors. These are new MacBooks for... Read more
iPad minis on sale for $100 off Apple’s MSRP...
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple’s newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we... Read more
AirPods Max headphones on sale for $479, $70...
Amazon has AirPods Max with USB-C on sale for $479.99 in all colors. Shipping is free. Their price is $70 off Apple’s MSRP, and it’s the lowest price available today for AirPods Max. Keep an eye on... Read more
14-inch M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pros on sale th...
Don’t pay full price! Get a new 14″ MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro or M4 Max CPU for up to $320 off Apple’s MSRP this weekend at these retailers…they are the lowest prices available for these MacBook... Read more
Get a 15-inch M4 MacBook Air for $150 off App...
A couple of Apple retailers are offering $150 discounts on new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs this weekend. Prices at these retailers start at $1049: (1): Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.