Posted by
Michael Schmid on
May 19, 2008; 8:55am
URL: http://imagej.273.s1.nabble.com/Advanced-Dialog-boxes-tp3696187p3696188.html
Hi John,
some of the features you want are possible when writing a
plugin and using the GenericDialog class of ImageJ (so you
can record the options by the Macro Recorder and run the
plugin from a macro):
Register your plugin as a DialogListener, then its
dialogItemChanged method gets called on every user action
(typing, clicking).
For examples, see, e.g., the Convolver.java or SpecifyROI.java
codes.
You can also use the getCheckboxes() etc. methods of the
GenericDialog class to get references to the fields. Then
you can enable or disable ("gray out") the fields by the usual
java.awt commands like myCheckbox.setEnabled(true) and you
can write into text fields.
A problem with these methods is a very nasty bug on Mac OSX 10.4
(possibly also other versions?):
If more than one modification of a dialog, such as enabling or
disabling a field, writing into a field, etc. is done at the same
time, only the first of them is actually made, the others are
delayed until the next input (clicking, typing) operation.
E.g., it may happen that checkboxes remain disabled and the user
cannot check or uncheck them.
Browse file or Browse directory - this would require the
addPanel method of a GenericDialog, but then you have to do
all the coding for it, including macro options, by yourself.
I would suggest to use a separate file or directory dialog
istead.
I see no way how to implement any of these functionalities in
a macro (instead of a plugin). So you have to learn Java (this
is not extremely difficult, at least much easier than C++).
Michael
________________________________________________________________
On 18 May 2008, at 04:42, John Alexander wrote:
> Hello group,
>
> I am wondering about some more advanced dialog box features in a
> macro.
>
> For example, let's say I want to have a field on the box continuously
> updated. For example, I want one option to depend on the other.
> If the
> person types "2" in the X box, then the Y box automatically prints "4"
> (as in 2*X). If the person types "6" in the Y box, then the X
> automatically is set to 3. Basically I want the dialog box to be
> interactive - and only commit the values to the assigned variables
> once
> the person clicks "ok".
>
> Another thing is to have an "input directory" and an "output
> directory"
> field with a "browse" button next to them.
>
> What about having an option grayed out if it is unecessary.
>
> For example: I would have a checkbox that says "process single
> file?" If
> the person checks it - then the "recursively process directory" field
> would be greyed out since it is irrelevant.
>
> Are such advanced dialog featuers available in ImageJ macros? Or is
> such interactivity for plug-ins?
>
> So far I am exclusively writing macros - since I have really not found
> the need to learn how to write a plug-in. I know that if I put a tad
> bit of effort into learning how to write a plug-in it will be easy
> - ust
> being lazy. :P
>
>
>
> John
>
>
>
>
> --
> John K. Alexander, Ph.D.
> Post-Doctoral Fellow
> William Green Laboratory
> University of Chicago
> Dept. Neurobiology, Pharmacology, and Physiology
> 947 East 58th Street
> Abott Hall 402
> Chicago, IL 60637
> (off) 773-702-9386
> (fax) 773-702-3774
>
[hidden email]
>