UI Challenge: How to create a real outliner (like Ecco, Grandview, etc) - SampleDisplay.b mp (0/1)

[Rex]

Hi - I have been looking for a solution to a particular User
Interface challenge for a long time. I have not posted this question
here previously - and I am now wondering if anyone can offer me some
ideas.

It is completely feasible for me to purchase 1 or more 3rd party
products here - I simply have not found *any* solution.

I am trying to create a specific type of software that is unique in a
few ways:

1. The overall program could be described as an "Outliner /
Word-Processor" (like Ecco or Grandview from the 90's).

2. The overall structure looks like a TreeView (like the left-side
hierarchical structure as shown in Windows Explorer).

3. But each item, or "node", can be 1 or more lines. In other words,
as the User types INTO that item and gets to the end of the row, it
word-wraps to the next line WITHIN that item. (Or the User can press
Shift-Enter to immediately go to a 2nd row within that item - even
before they get to the end of the row)

4. Ideally, each item will have the ability to have multiple styles
WITHIN it. For example, if I want to italicize one word (or phrase) or
colorize one word (or phrase), that would be possible.

5. KEY ITEM: As the User types within an item, and gets to the end of
a row, and it then WORD-WRAPS, the item must expand (just as in a
word-processor) AND all items below it will shift down on the screen.

6. To help explain further, I've attached a BMP screen-print that
shows what I'm trying to do. (This screen print is of a program called
Ecco, which stopped being produced about 10 years ago). In the
diagram, notice in particular the item in the middle with the BOX
around it.

Thanks for your time!

Rex


----

[Mike C#]

Can you post the pic to a website and put a URL to it? I'd like to see this
if you don't mind.

Thx

"Rex" <rb*****@cfl.rr .comwrote in message
news:9c******** *************** *********@4ax.c om...

>
Hi - I have been looking for a solution to a particular User
Interface challenge for a long time. I have not posted this question
here previously - and I am now wondering if anyone can offer me some
ideas.

It is completely feasible for me to purchase 1 or more 3rd party
products here - I simply have not found *any* solution.

I am trying to create a specific type of software that is unique in a
few ways:

1. The overall program could be described as an "Outliner /
Word-Processor" (like Ecco or Grandview from the 90's).

2. The overall structure looks like a TreeView (like the left-side
hierarchical structure as shown in Windows Explorer).

3. But each item, or "node", can be 1 or more lines. In other words,
as the User types INTO that item and gets to the end of the row, it
word-wraps to the next line WITHIN that item. (Or the User can press
Shift-Enter to immediately go to a 2nd row within that item - even
before they get to the end of the row)

4. Ideally, each item will have the ability to have multiple styles
WITHIN it. For example, if I want to italicize one word (or phrase) or
colorize one word (or phrase), that would be possible.

5. KEY ITEM: As the User types within an item, and gets to the end of
a row, and it then WORD-WRAPS, the item must expand (just as in a
word-processor) AND all items below it will shift down on the screen.

6. To help explain further, I've attached a BMP screen-print that
shows what I'm trying to do. (This screen print is of a program called
Ecco, which stopped being produced about 10 years ago). In the
diagram, notice in particular the item in the middle with the BOX
around it.

Thanks for your time!

Rex


----

[Rex]

Hi Mike,
Here is the screen -shot (posted on my website) - The following 2 are
the same:

http://www.goodenergysoftware.com/SampleDisplay.gif (quicker)

http://www.goodenergysoftware.com/SampleDisplay.bmp (if you prefer
bmp)

Regards,
Rex
On Mon, 4 Sep 2006 21:51:10 -0400, "Mike C#" <xy*@xyz.comwro te:

>Can you post the pic to a website and put a URL to it? I'd like to see this
if you don't mind.

Thx

"Rex" <rb*****@cfl.rr .comwrote in message
news:9c******* *************** **********@4ax. com...

>>
Hi - I have been looking for a solution to a particular User
Interface challenge for a long time. I have not posted this question
here previously - and I am now wondering if anyone can offer me some
ideas.

It is completely feasible for me to purchase 1 or more 3rd party
products here - I simply have not found *any* solution.

I am trying to create a specific type of software that is unique in a
few ways:

1. The overall program could be described as an "Outliner /
Word-Processor" (like Ecco or Grandview from the 90's).

2. The overall structure looks like a TreeView (like the left-side
hierarchical structure as shown in Windows Explorer).

3. But each item, or "node", can be 1 or more lines. In other words,
as the User types INTO that item and gets to the end of the row, it
word-wraps to the next line WITHIN that item. (Or the User can press
Shift-Enter to immediately go to a 2nd row within that item - even
before they get to the end of the row)

4. Ideally, each item will have the ability to have multiple styles
WITHIN it. For example, if I want to italicize one word (or phrase) or
colorize one word (or phrase), that would be possible.

5. KEY ITEM: As the User types within an item, and gets to the end of
a row, and it then WORD-WRAPS, the item must expand (just as in a
word-processor) AND all items below it will shift down on the screen.

6. To help explain further, I've attached a BMP screen-print that
shows what I'm trying to do. (This screen print is of a program called
Ecco, which stopped being produced about 10 years ago). In the
diagram, notice in particular the item in the middle with the BOX
around it.

Thanks for your time!

Rex


----

[Mike C#]

OK, thanks. I don't know of any third-party controls off-hand that would
allow you to do that, but it looks an awful lot like the way PowerPoint does
outlining. Sorry I couldn't be of more help...

"Rex" <rb*****@cfl.rr .comwrote in message
news:7a******** *************** *********@4ax.c om...

Hi Mike,
Here is the screen -shot (posted on my website) - The following 2 are
the same:

http://www.goodenergysoftware.com/SampleDisplay.gif (quicker)

http://www.goodenergysoftware.com/SampleDisplay.bmp (if you prefer
bmp)

Regards,
Rex
On Mon, 4 Sep 2006 21:51:10 -0400, "Mike C#" <xy*@xyz.comwro te:

>>Can you post the pic to a website and put a URL to it? I'd like to see
this
if you don't mind.

Thx

"Rex" <rb*****@cfl.rr .comwrote in message
news:9c****** *************** ***********@4ax .com...

>>>
Hi - I have been looking for a solution to a particular User
Interface challenge for a long time. I have not posted this question
here previously - and I am now wondering if anyone can offer me some
ideas.

It is completely feasible for me to purchase 1 or more 3rd party
products here - I simply have not found *any* solution.

I am trying to create a specific type of software that is unique in a
few ways:

1. The overall program could be described as an "Outliner /
Word-Processor" (like Ecco or Grandview from the 90's).

2. The overall structure looks like a TreeView (like the left-side
hierarchica l structure as shown in Windows Explorer).

3. But each item, or "node", can be 1 or more lines. In other words,
as the User types INTO that item and gets to the end of the row, it
word-wraps to the next line WITHIN that item. (Or the User can press
Shift-Enter to immediately go to a 2nd row within that item - even
before they get to the end of the row)

4. Ideally, each item will have the ability to have multiple styles
WITHIN it. For example, if I want to italicize one word (or phrase) or
colorize one word (or phrase), that would be possible.

5. KEY ITEM: As the User types within an item, and gets to the end of
a row, and it then WORD-WRAPS, the item must expand (just as in a
word-processor) AND all items below it will shift down on the screen.

6. To help explain further, I've attached a BMP screen-print that
shows what I'm trying to do. (This screen print is of a program called
Ecco, which stopped being produced about 10 years ago). In the
diagram, notice in particular the item in the middle with the BOX
around it.

Thanks for your time!

Rex


----