docs/latex/wx/taui.tex

   1 \section{wxAUI overview}\label{wxauioverview}
   2
   3 Class: \helpref{wxFraneManager}{wxframemanager}, \helpref{wxPaneInfo}{wxpaneinfo}
   4
   5 wxAUI stands for Advances User Interface and the wxAUI framework
   6 aims to give its user a cutting edge interface for use with the
   7 wxWidgets based applications. The original wxAUI sources have
   8 kindly been made available under the wxWindows licence
   9 by Kirix Corp. and they have since then been integrated into
  10 wxWidgets CVS and further improved.
  11
  12 wxAUI attempts to encapsulate the following aspects of the user interface:
  13
  14 {\bf Frame Management:}
  15 Frame management provides the means to open, move and hide common
  16 controls that are needed to interact with the document, and allow these
  17 configurations to be saved into different perspectives and loaded at a
  18 later time.
  19
  20 {\bf Toolbars:}
  21 Toolbars are a specialized subset of the frame management system and
  22 should behave similarly to other docked components. However, they also
  23 require additional functionality, such as "spring-loaded" rebar support,
  24 "chevron" buttons and end-user customizability.
  25
  26 {\bf Modeless Controls:}
  27 Modeless controls expose a tool pallete or set of options that float
  28 above the application content while allowing it to be accessed. Usually
  29 accessed by the toolbar, these controls disappear when an option is
  30 selected, but may also be "torn off" the toolbar into a floating frame
  31 of their own.
  32
  33 {\bf Look and Feel:}
  34 Look and feel encompasses the way controls are drawn, both when shown
  35 statically as well as when they are being moved. This aspect of user
  36 interface design incorporates "special effects" such as transparent
  37 window dragging as well as frame animation.
  38
  39 wxAUI adheres to the following principles:
  40
  41 Use native floating frames to obtain a native look and feel for all
  42 platforms. Use existing wxWidgets code where possible, such as sizer
  43 implementation for frame management. Use classes included in wxCore
  44 and wxBase only. Use standard wxWidgets coding conventions.
  45