Developing Web Content with Micrografx QuickSilver

Setting the Way Objects Behave in the Browser

Using Designer, you specify the user-initiated events (for example, mouse clicks) that an object can detect, and you specify a Micrografx QuickSilver command (or a list of commands) for the object to execute in response to each event.

Micrografx QuickSilver Events

The following table lists the names of events that your Designer objects can detect.

This event: Occurs when:

OnMouseEnter The user moves the mouse pointer over the object.

OnMouseLeave The user moves the pointer away from the object.

OnMouseDown The user presses the left mouse button while over the object.

OnMouseUp The user releases the left mouse button while over the object.

OnLoad Navigator opens the drawing that contains the object.

Micrografx QuickSilver Commands

Each command consists of a verb and its parameter. An example of a command is:

StatusLine This is a test.

When executed, this command would place the text "This is a test." in the browser's status bar.

Command Effect

Jump localURL Instructs the browser to load and display the new URL LocalURL. LocalURL must be an absolute or relative URL reference. Since this closes the current page, and therefore the current plug-in, any additional commands for the event are ignored.

InplaceJump URLstring Instructs the plug-in to discard its current contents and display the new drawing located at URLstring. URLstring must refer to a Designer drawing. The new drawing assumes the dimensions of the discarded drawing. Since the current file is discarded, any additional commands for the event are ignored.

TargetJump targetwindow
localURL Instructs the browser to load the URL localURL and display it in the window identified by targetwindow (probably a frame element). localURL can be an absolute or local URL.

StatusLine text This command is available solely for the Netscape Navigator browsers. Currently, Microsoft does not offer access to the status bar. This command displays the text string text in the browser's status bar. To clear the status bar, omit the text parameter.

CursorShape shape Sets the shape of the mouse pointer. A shape of "Link" or "Hand" displays the hand pointer. To restore the normal arrow pointer, use any other value for shape or omit shape.

ObjectColor color Sets the object's interior-fill color to the value represented by color. The color parameter must be either a predefined Netscape color name (as listed in the Color Names table) or a Netscape-style "#rrggbb" color specification.*

ObjectText text Sets the object's text to text. To clear the text, omit the text parameter. Currently, this command only works for container text; it does not work for freeform text.*

MoveOver objectname Moves the object and centers it to the position of the object named objectname.

HideObject ShowObject Hides or shows the object. These commands do not use any parameters. A hidden object does not detect events, but you can use another object's event to show (reactivate) a hidden object.*

HideLayer layernumber
ShowLayer layernumber Hides or shows the layer identified by layernumber and redraws the drawing. layernumber is a layer number greater than one.

OnlyShowLayer layernumber Hides all layers except the layer identified by layernumber and redraws the drawing. layernumber is a layer number greater than one.

FlashObject flashrate count
EndFlashObject Flashes an object, whether the object is hidden or not. Enter the flash rate in milliseconds. To flash once a second, use 1000. To flash every half-second, use 500. The minimum flash rate is 500 ms and the maximum flash rate is 30,000 ms. Enter the flash count to set how many times to flash the symbol. To flash until an EndFlashObject command is received, use -1 (infinite flashing). Separate parameters with a space.

SpinObjectCW steptime steps revolution
EndSpinObject Spins an object about its center in a clockwise direction. Enter the steptime in milliseconds. To rotate an object one step every second, use 1000. You must set the steptime between 500 and 60,000 ms. Enter the number of rotation steps it takes to complete a revolution (360 degrees). For example, a value of 8 steps would cause the object to rotate 45 degrees every step. Enter the number of revolutions you want the object to make. To rotate until an EndSpinObject command is received, use -1 (infinite spinning). Separate parameters with a space.

SpinObjectCCW steptime steps revolution Spins an object about its center in a counterclockwise direction. Otherwise, this is identical to the SpinObjectCW command above.

Beep beeprate count
EndBeep Causes a system beep using the default sound. Enter the rate between beeps in milliseconds. To beep once a second, use 1000. To beep once every half-second, use 500. The maximum beeprate is 100 ms and the minimum beep rate is 30,000 ms. Enter the beep count to set how many times to beep. To beep until an EndBeep command is received, use -1 (infinite beeping). Separate parameters with a space.

BringObjectToFront SendObjectToBack Moves the object in front or behind all others on the current layer.

BringObjectForward SendObjectBackward Moves the object one level toward the front or back.

RotateObject angle Rotates an object about its center by angle degrees. Enter angle in tenths of a degree, so to rotate an object 90 degrees clockwise, specify an angle of 900. To rotate an object counterclockwise, specify a negative angle.

SoftReload Triggers an OnLoad event for all top-level objects in the drawing. Child objects of grouped objects do not receive OnLoad events.

ResetDrawing filename Reloads the drawing identified by filename.

Redraw transition
Redraw All transition These commands are available solely for Micrografx QuickSilver 2.0 and 3.0. These versions of Micrografx QuickSilver only work with the shipping version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 browser and the Netscape Navigator 3.0 browser. These commands allow programmatic control so you can refresh the display of any component of the Micrografx QuickSilver object, or the entire Micrografx QuickSilver object. These commands let you create simple animation inside the browser. You can also use these commands in conjunction with 12 transition effects. Transitions can be activated based on mouse movement or scripting. The transitions you can apply are: WipeUpRight; WipeUpLeft; WipeDown; WipeUp; WipeLeft; WipeRight; WipeDownRight; WipeDownLeft; DissolvePixels; DissolveBits; BlindsHorz; and BlindsVert. Four new transitions have been added for Micrografx QuickSilver 3.0 users: SlideTop; SlideBottom; SlideRight; and SlideLeft.

CycleObject elapse count
EndAnimation These commands are available solely for Micrografx QuickSilver 3.0. These versions of Micrografx QuickSilver only work with the shipping version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 browser and the Netscape Navigator 3.0 browser. You can create basic animation using the CycleObject command. Group the Designer objects you want to animate from back to front. Each object displays one at a time and disappears before the next object displays. Enter the elapsed time in milliseconds. The maximum elapsed time is 1000 ms and the minimum elapsed time is 500 ms. This time is approximate as it depends on the speed QuickSilver can redraw objects. The larger and the more complex and object, the slower the elapsed time. Enter the cycle count to set how many times to display the entire cycle. To cycle until an EndAnimation command is received, use -1 (infinite cycling). Separate parameters with a space.

BuildObject elapse count
EndAnimation These commands are available solely for Micrografx QuickSilver 3.0. These versions of Micrografx QuickSilver only work with the shipping version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 browser and the Netscape Navigator 3.0 browser. The BuildObject command is very similar to the CycleObject command in the fact that you can create basic animation. The difference is that you group the Designer objects you want to animate from back to front and then each object displays and remains displayed, even when the next object displays. The parameters are the same as CycleObject.

HideAllChildren ShowAllChildren These commands are available solely for Micrografx QuickSilver 3.0. These versions of Micrografx QuickSilver only work with the shipping version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 browser and the Netscape Navigator 3.0 browser. Use these commands when using grouped objects in QuickSilver. The HideAllChildren command applies the HideObject command to all the objects (children) of a grouped object. The ShowAllChildren command applies the ShowObject command to all the objects (children) of a grouped object. In both cases, if the object is not a grouped object, the command is ignored.
It is important to note that the show/hide status of the group always overrides that of the children. For instance, if you execute the following sequence of commands as Parent HideObject; asParent ShowAllChildren on a grouped object, the child objects remain hidden. Likewise, the commands as Parent HideObject; as Parent.Child1 ShowObject will not show Child1. For more information about group-relative object naming, click here.

* In some early Micrografx QuickSilver samples, the command verbs ObjectColor, ObjectText, HideObject, and ShowObject were named SymbolColor, SymbolText, HideSymbol, and ShowSymbol. You should use only the verb names shown in the table; future versions of Micrografx QuickSilver might not support the older names.

This event:	Occurs when:
OnMouseEnter	The user moves the mouse pointer over the object.
OnMouseLeave	The user moves the pointer away from the object.
OnMouseDown	The user presses the left mouse button while over the object.
OnMouseUp	The user releases the left mouse button while over the object.
OnLoad	Navigator opens the drawing that contains the object.

Command	Effect
`Jump` localURL	Instructs the browser to load and display the new URL LocalURL. LocalURL must be an absolute or relative URL reference. Since this closes the current page, and therefore the current plug-in, any additional commands for the event are ignored.
`InplaceJump` URLstring	Instructs the plug-in to discard its current contents and display the new drawing located at URLstring. URLstring must refer to a Designer drawing. The new drawing assumes the dimensions of the discarded drawing. Since the current file is discarded, any additional commands for the event are ignored.
`TargetJump` targetwindow localURL	Instructs the browser to load the URL localURL and display it in the window identified by targetwindow (probably a frame element). localURL can be an absolute or local URL.
`StatusLine` text	This command is available solely for the Netscape Navigator browsers. Currently, Microsoft does not offer access to the status bar. This command displays the text string text in the browser's status bar. To clear the status bar, omit the text parameter.
`CursorShape` shape	Sets the shape of the mouse pointer. A shape of "Link" or "Hand" displays the hand pointer. To restore the normal arrow pointer, use any other value for shape or omit shape.
`ObjectColor` color	Sets the object's interior-fill color to the value represented by color. The color parameter must be either a predefined Netscape color name (as listed in the Color Names table) or a Netscape-style "#rrggbb" color specification.*
`ObjectText` text	Sets the object's text to text. To clear the text, omit the text parameter. Currently, this command only works for container text; it does not work for freeform text.*
`MoveOver` objectname	Moves the object and centers it to the position of the object named objectname.
`HideObject ShowObject`	Hides or shows the object. These commands do not use any parameters. A hidden object does not detect events, but you can use another object's event to show (reactivate) a hidden object.*
`HideLayer` layernumber `ShowLayer` layernumber	Hides or shows the layer identified by layernumber and redraws the drawing. layernumber is a layer number greater than one.
`OnlyShowLayer` layernumber	Hides all layers except the layer identified by layernumber and redraws the drawing. layernumber is a layer number greater than one.
`FlashObject` flashrate count `EndFlashObject`	Flashes an object, whether the object is hidden or not. Enter the flash rate in milliseconds. To flash once a second, use 1000. To flash every half-second, use 500. The minimum flash rate is 500 ms and the maximum flash rate is 30,000 ms. Enter the flash count to set how many times to flash the symbol. To flash until an EndFlashObject command is received, use -1 (infinite flashing). Separate parameters with a space.
`SpinObjectCW` steptime steps revolution `EndSpinObject`	Spins an object about its center in a clockwise direction. Enter the steptime in milliseconds. To rotate an object one step every second, use 1000. You must set the steptime between 500 and 60,000 ms. Enter the number of rotation steps it takes to complete a revolution (360 degrees). For example, a value of 8 steps would cause the object to rotate 45 degrees every step. Enter the number of revolutions you want the object to make. To rotate until an EndSpinObject command is received, use -1 (infinite spinning). Separate parameters with a space.
`SpinObjectCCW` steptime steps revolution	Spins an object about its center in a counterclockwise direction. Otherwise, this is identical to the SpinObjectCW command above.
`Beep` beeprate count `EndBeep`	Causes a system beep using the default sound. Enter the rate between beeps in milliseconds. To beep once a second, use 1000. To beep once every half-second, use 500. The maximum beeprate is 100 ms and the minimum beep rate is 30,000 ms. Enter the beep count to set how many times to beep. To beep until an EndBeep command is received, use -1 (infinite beeping). Separate parameters with a space.
`BringObjectToFront SendObjectToBack`	Moves the object in front or behind all others on the current layer.
`BringObjectForward SendObjectBackward`	Moves the object one level toward the front or back.
`RotateObject` angle	Rotates an object about its center by angle degrees. Enter angle in tenths of a degree, so to rotate an object 90 degrees clockwise, specify an angle of 900. To rotate an object counterclockwise, specify a negative angle.
`SoftReload`	Triggers an OnLoad event for all top-level objects in the drawing. Child objects of grouped objects do not receive OnLoad events.
`ResetDrawing` filename	Reloads the drawing identified by filename.
`Redraw` transition `Redraw All` transition	These commands are available solely for Micrografx QuickSilver 2.0 and 3.0. These versions of Micrografx QuickSilver only work with the shipping version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 browser and the Netscape Navigator 3.0 browser. These commands allow programmatic control so you can refresh the display of any component of the Micrografx QuickSilver object, or the entire Micrografx QuickSilver object. These commands let you create simple animation inside the browser. You can also use these commands in conjunction with 12 transition effects. Transitions can be activated based on mouse movement or scripting. The transitions you can apply are: WipeUpRight; WipeUpLeft; WipeDown; WipeUp; WipeLeft; WipeRight; WipeDownRight; WipeDownLeft; DissolvePixels; DissolveBits; BlindsHorz; and BlindsVert. Four new transitions have been added for Micrografx QuickSilver 3.0 users: SlideTop; SlideBottom; SlideRight; and SlideLeft.
`CycleObject` elapse count `EndAnimation`	These commands are available solely for Micrografx QuickSilver 3.0. These versions of Micrografx QuickSilver only work with the shipping version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 browser and the Netscape Navigator 3.0 browser. You can create basic animation using the CycleObject command. Group the Designer objects you want to animate from back to front. Each object displays one at a time and disappears before the next object displays. Enter the elapsed time in milliseconds. The maximum elapsed time is 1000 ms and the minimum elapsed time is 500 ms. This time is approximate as it depends on the speed QuickSilver can redraw objects. The larger and the more complex and object, the slower the elapsed time. Enter the cycle count to set how many times to display the entire cycle. To cycle until an EndAnimation command is received, use -1 (infinite cycling). Separate parameters with a space.
`BuildObject` elapse count `EndAnimation`	These commands are available solely for Micrografx QuickSilver 3.0. These versions of Micrografx QuickSilver only work with the shipping version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 browser and the Netscape Navigator 3.0 browser. The BuildObject command is very similar to the CycleObject command in the fact that you can create basic animation. The difference is that you group the Designer objects you want to animate from back to front and then each object displays and remains displayed, even when the next object displays. The parameters are the same as CycleObject.
`HideAllChildren ShowAllChildren`	These commands are available solely for Micrografx QuickSilver 3.0. These versions of Micrografx QuickSilver only work with the shipping version of the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 browser and the Netscape Navigator 3.0 browser. Use these commands when using grouped objects in QuickSilver. The HideAllChildren command applies the HideObject command to all the objects (children) of a grouped object. The ShowAllChildren command applies the ShowObject command to all the objects (children) of a grouped object. In both cases, if the object is not a grouped object, the command is ignored. It is important to note that the show/hide status of the group always overrides that of the children. For instance, if you execute the following sequence of commands as Parent HideObject; asParent ShowAllChildren on a grouped object, the child objects remain hidden. Likewise, the commands as Parent HideObject; as Parent.Child1 ShowObject will not show Child1. For more information about group-relative object naming, click here.