MobGUI or tmControls?

[Theo@xceed.be]

Hi,

I'm a newbie to LiveCode and iOS development (but used to be very good at HyperCard ).
I already created my first (in-house) iPad app, so I'm pretty excited. It's rough, but works.
I initially hoped that control elements like fields and buttons would auto-convert to native iOS controls, but sadly discovered this not to be so. Oh well.

I read through this forum (all 17 pages of it) and I'm really impressed with this community! Great work.

So my question, what would you advice to a newbie (I only want to develop for iOS, no other platform):
- use what's available in LiveCode now, and generate the iOS controls in code
- use mobGUI
- use tmControls
- something else?

Thanks for your replies.

[Adrian]

I, too, am new to LiveCode. I thought a fellow newbie perspective may help; I'm sure other more experienced LoveCoders will be able to offer more.

I haven't used the TMControls, but I do use MobGUI. It is very good for getting an iOS app up and running quite quickly, with a standard native iOS look and feel. I would say that it is not without the occasional problem, such as getting confused with geometry (moving things around when orientation changes).

Whether to go with add-ons such as these partly is a case of your approach and the apps you want to produce. If you want them either fairly quickly, and/or with standard appearance, then the tools are really useful. If you want your own house style, then you may be better using your own graphics, etc.

There again, the add-ons don't cost much, so there's not much to lose, even if you nly use them occasionally.

Cheers,

Adrian.

[Theo@xceed.be]

Thanks for your reply Adrian. I was hoping for more feedback, but I guess it's vacation time.
In the meanwhile I've bought MobGUI and used it for a first app.
Even though it does a good job, it has some glitches.
What disappoints me (and makes me itch) is the lack of recent support/updates. The developer of MobGUI seems to have disappeared and gave his last reply to forums 4 months ago.
Some update are sorely needed: update to iOS5 (e.g. the switch control), iPad Retina support, updated and more documentation, newer themes, ...
My conclusion: did I bet on the wrong horse?

[FourthWorld]

In the meanwhile I've bought MobGUI and used it for a first app.
Even though it does a good job, it has some glitches.
What disappoints me (and makes me itch) is the lack of recent support/updates. The developer of MobGUI seems to have disappeared and gave his last reply to forums 4 months ago.

Mr. Craig posted to the use-livecode list last month with this note:

MobGUI is being updated, but I've not much time at the moment due to a
contract I'm working on, so progress is unfortunately slower than I'd
like and I don't have time to read the use list. I'll post an update
when more information is available.

http://lists.runrev.com/pipermail/use-l ... 73197.html

Having gone through unusually busy periods myself, I can understand where he's at. Hopefully he'll have a more detailed reply soon.

[Theo@xceed.be]

Thanks for the update!

[teacherguy]

Yes thanks Richard, I had no idea and have been struggling with mobgui glitches as well.

[Theo@xceed.be]

I'v switched from MobGUI (after a week of struggling) to tmControl, and I'm very satisfied.
Not everything is supported yet (e.g. native fields), but everything that is in there, works very well.

Support has been excellent too.

[Adrian]

Good to know, thanks.

I've recently switched from MobGUI to nothing! It's not as hard as I had originally thought to do most of what it did, using the standard LiveCode tools and some appropriate icon images.

Cheers,

Adrian

[anmldr]

For background images of buttons, can we use a 1px wide image and have it fill a button? If so, what setting or code is used in LC?

Linda

[Klaus]

Hi Linda,

yes!

1. use the "Colors & Patterns" tab in the inspector for that button or
2. do it by script:
...
set the backgroundpattern of btn "your button here" to XXXX
## where XXX is the ID of the image you want to use as the pattern
...

Best

Klaus

[anmldr]

Too bad this forum does not allow for "voting" for responses. Anyway, Klaus, your answer gets my vote!

Linda