Side Dock Launch Bar (Buttons w/ Pop-Up SubMenus)

[JoBu]

Customed a Link Launch skin from kimbo.price@da to suit my own needs, thought I'd offer it up again for grabs.

Nothing too fancy, just small buttons to the right, submenu pops out left, customizable titles and sublinks.

Includes the image files that serve as backgrounds for buttons and submenu.

The skin is 180x180, the only thing that shows are the buttons, until they are clicked. The Subs stay open until a mouseover action completes.

Thoughts appreciated. Cheers.


Edit** Zip file is below, turns out my rmskins are all fragged.

[Shark1502]

I couldn't install your skin. I received a 'rainstaller.cfg missing' error.
I don't have any problems with any other .rmskin files - just this one.

The skin looks pretty slick though.

[JoBu]

Sorry about that... looks like I screwed up somewhere making that rmskin.

Here's the zip until I figure out where it went wrong:


Cheers.

[Shark1502]

Hey I tested it out. Pretty kl skin. It's smooth, functional and simple.

Btw what's our opinion on changing the initial mousedownaction to a mouseover? I always feel like it makes the action a little smoother. Plus y'know it's one less mouse-click.

I see it in very few skins tbh. I kinda get the impression that I'm a bit alone on this preference....

[JoBu]

Actually, I agree with you... the problem was positioning. The mouseover action on the link means that the menu disappears once you move off the link. In essence, you would never be able to clik anything from the submenu, because leaving the link would make it disappear. I thought about setting some kind of 5 second delay on the submenu, or positioning the subs below the links and using an invisible meter that would cover link and submenu... still trying to decide which method would work best. Maybe putting the sub next to the link and having a mouseover action that somehow keeps the window on screen, something to do with a focus or something?

Still working on it really... been trying to push the functionality of rainmeter... working on a military style HUD right now and using these launch buttons but hoping to figure out something smoother, more intuitive. I hate the way the windows stack if you clik multiple links without closing previous subs... sure I'll figure something out soon.

Appreciate the comments though mate, if you have any other thoughts on the matter, please let me know. Cheers!


EDIT* I think I saw an app launcher like mine (that worked better actually) somewhere... Rainify or Illustro... Seclorum had an interesting skin launcher that could be modified...

[smurfier]

Actually, it's pretty easy thanks to meter groups.

Code: Select all

; ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Rainmeter Skin created by JoBu | Visit us at: http://forum.rainmeter.net/
; ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Rainmeter]
BackgroundMode=2
SolidColor=0,0,0,1
Author=JoBu
AppVersion=1001000
Update=1000
MouseLeaveAction=!Execute [!RainmeterHideMeterGroup SubMenus][!RainmeterRedraw]

; ----[ METADATA ]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Metadata]
Name=Gmail
Config=
Description=Display Gmail message count.
Instructions=None
Version=1.2.2
Tags=Mail | Gmail 
License=Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 3.0
Preview=None
Credits=All thanks to Poiru, Kaelri, KimboPrice, LAvalon and JSMorley.

; ----[ VARIABLES ]-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Variables]
ColorBG=0,0,0,1

Font=Eurostile
Size1=10
Size2=8
Color=255,255,255,255
Color2=120,120,120,60

Text1=APPS
Text2=WEBS
Text3=ROOT
Text4=TASK

AppShortcut1=FIREFOX
AppShortcut2=PHOTOSHOP
AppShortcut3=WINAMP
AppShortcut4=NOTETABPRO
AppShortcut5=RAINBROWSER
AppShortcut6=WINAMP
AppShortcut7=NOTETABPRO
AppShortcut8=RAINBROWSER

AppPath1=C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
AppPath2=C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS3\photoshop.exe
AppPath3=C:\Program Files (x86)\Winamp\winamp.exe
AppPath4=C:\Program Files (x86)\NoteTab Pro\notepro.exe
AppPath5=C:\Program Files\Rainmeter\Addons\RainBrowser\rainbrowser.exe
AppPath6=C:\Program Files (x86)\Winamp\winamp.exe
AppPath7=C:\Program Files (x86)\NoteTab Pro\notepro.exe
AppPath8=C:\Program Files\Rainmeter\Addons\RainBrowser\rainbrowser.exe

WebShortcut1=FACEBOOK
WebShortcut2=YOUTUBE
WebShortcut3=CONCEPTART
WebShortcut4=RAINFORUMS
WebShortcut5=GMAIL
WebShortcut6=CONCEPTART
WebShortcut7=RAINFORUMS
WebShortcut8=GMAIL

WebPath1=http://www.facebook.com
WebPath2=http://www.youtube.com/
WebPath3=http://www.conceptart.org/forums/
WebPath4=http://forum.rainmeter.net/index.php
WebPath5=https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox
WebPath6=http://www.conceptart.org/forums/
WebPath7=http://forum.rainmeter.net/index.php
WebPath8=https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox

PlacesShortcut1=ROOT HDD
PlacesShortcut2=PICTURES
PlacesShortcut3=DOCUMENTS
PlacesShortcut4=DOWNLOADS
PlacesShortcut5=WRITING
PlacesShortcut6=DOCUMENTS
PlacesShortcut7=DOWNLOADS
PlacesShortcut8=WRITING

PlacesPath1=C:\
PlacesPath2=C:\Users\Admin\Pictures
PlacesPath3=C:\Users\Admin\Documents
PlacesPath4=C:\Users\Admin\Downloads
PlacesPath5=C:\Users\Admin\Documents\Personal\writing
PlacesPath6=C:\Users\Admin\Documents
PlacesPath7=C:\Users\Admin\Downloads
PlacesPath8=C:\Users\Admin\Documents\Personal\writing

; ----[ STYLES ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[StyleFont1]
Meter=STRING
StringAlign=CENTER
StringStyle=BOLD
StringEffect=SHADOW
FontEffectColor=0,0,0,20
FontFace=#Font#
FontSize=#Size#
FontColor=#Color#
AntiAlias=1

[StyleFont2]
StringAlign=CENTER
StringStyle=BOLD
StringEffect=SHADOW
FontEffectColor=0,0,0,20
FontFace=#Font#
FontSize=#Size2#
FontColor=#Color#
AntiAlias=1
X=r
Y=20r
Hidden=1


; ----[ BACKGROUND ]------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Frame]
Meter=IMAGE
SolidColor=#ColorBG#
Y=0
X=0
W=180
H=180

; ----[ METERS ]----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[APPLICATIONS-TEXT]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont1
Text=#Text1#
Y=10
X=155

[WEBSITES-TEXT]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont1
Text="#Text2#"
Y=25r
X=0r

[PLACES-TEXT]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont1
Text=#Text3#
Y=25r
X=0r

; MENU LINKS ----------------------------------

[APPLICATIONS]
Meter=Image
ImageName=MenuBG.png
ImageAlpha=50
X=130
Y=10
W=50
H=14
MouseOverAction=!Execute [!RainmeterHideMeterGroup SubMenus][!RainmeterShowMeterGroup Sub1][!RainmeterRedraw]

[WEBSITES]
Meter=Image
ImageName=MenuBG.png
ImageAlpha=50
X=130
Y=25r
W=50
H=14
MouseOverAction=!Execute [!RainmeterHideMeterGroup SubMenus][!RainmeterShowMeterGroup Sub2][!RainmeterRedraw]

[PLACES]
Meter=Image
ImageName=MenuBG.png
ImageAlpha=50
X=130
Y=25r
W=50
H=14
MouseOverAction=!Execute [!RainmeterHideMeterGroup SubMenus][!RainmeterShowMeterGroup Sub3][!RainmeterRedraw]

[MENUBACK]
Meter=IMAGE
ImageName=SubMenuBG.png
ImageAlpha=50
X=10
Y=10
W=100
H=170
Hidden=1
Group=SubMenus | Sub1 | Sub2 | Sub3

; APPLICATIONS SUBMENU -------------------------

[Shortcut1]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
X=60
Y=20
Text=#AppShortcut1#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#AppPath1#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub1

[Shortcut2]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#AppShortcut2#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#AppPath2#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub1

[Shortcut3]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#AppShortcut3#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#AppPath3#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub1

[Shortcut4]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#AppShortcut4#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#AppPath4#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub1

[Shortcut5]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#AppShortcut5#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#AppPath5#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub1

[Shortcut6]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#AppShortcut6#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#AppPath6#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub1

[Shortcut7]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#AppShortcut7#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#AppPath7#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub1

[Shortcut8]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2 | SubStyl
Text=#AppShortcut8#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#AppPath8#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub1

; WEBSITES SUBMENU ------------------------------

[WebShortcut1]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
X=60
Y=20
Text=#WebShortcut1#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#WebPath1#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub2

[WebShortcut2]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#WebShortcut2#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#WebPath2#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub2

[WebShortcut3]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#WebShortcut3#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#WebPath3#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub2

[WebShortcut4]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#WebShortcut4#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#WebPath4#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub2

[WebShortcut5]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#WebShortcut5#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#WebPath5#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub2

[WebShortcut6]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#WebShortcut6#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#WebPath6#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub2

[WebShortcut7]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#WebShortcut7#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#WebPath7#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub2

[WebShortcut8]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#WebShortcut8#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#WebPath8#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub2

; PLACES SUBMENU -----------------------------------

[PlacesShortcut1]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
X=60
Y=20
Text=#PlacesShortcut1#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#PlacesPath1#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub3

[PlacesShortcut2]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#PlacesShortcut2#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#PlacesPath2#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub3

[PlacesShortcut3]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#PlacesShortcut3#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#PlacesPath3#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub3

[PlacesShortcut4]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#PlacesShortcut4#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#PlacesPath4#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub3

[PlacesShortcut5]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#PlacesShortcut5#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#PlacesPath5#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub3

[PlacesShortcut6]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#PlacesShortcut6#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#PlacesPath6#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub3

[PlacesShortcut7]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#PlacesShortcut7#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#PlacesPath7#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub3

[PlacesShortcut8]
Meter=STRING
MeterStyle=StyleFont2
Text=#PlacesShortcut8#
LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute ["#PlacesPath8#"]
Group=SubMenus | Sub3
; ----[ END OF LINE ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

And yes...I tested it.

[Shark1502]

I'm pretty sure smurfier and I are thinking of the same thing.

For the 1st set of menus you only include ShowMeters to open up the relevant submenu and hide the others (therefore removing the problem you're having with not being able to move away without closing). Then have a mouseleaveaction on these submenus so that when the mouse stops hovering over them it hides the submenu.

Also exactly as was previously said, Groups make this so much easier.

[JoBu]

Awesome.

I knew I was missing something by skipping over groups, I just wasn't ready to get into them yet.... still learning the others, lol.

Thanks a ton smurfier! I learned a lot looking at that code. I really appreciate you taking the time mate.

Shark, I'll see if I can hammer out the roughs and give the launcher a few different styles/looks. Cheers.

[smurfier]

You had mentioned something about a delay...

Code: Select all

[Rainmeter]
BackgroundMode=2
SolidColor=0,0,0,1
Author=JoBu
AppVersion=1001000
Update=1000
MouseLeaveAction=!RainmeterEnableMeasure Timer
MouseOverAction=!RainmeterDisableMeasure Timer

[Timer]
Measure=Calc
Formula=Timer+1
IfEqualValue=5
IfEqualAction=!Execute [!RainmeterHideMeterGroup SubMenus][!RainmeterDisableMeasure Timer][!RainmeterRedraw]
Disabled=1