wxDevCpp new components needed

OK, since I will be using the (almost) excellent wxAUI docking system, as well as the recently released wxAuiToolbar, I need to implement these in wxDevCpp as soon as possible.

At the moment there is a development stop with wxDevCpp since we are aiming for a release soon. After that we might stop developing altogether since we will be recoding the IDE in C++ and using wxWidgets in order to make the IDE and designer cross platform. I also want to extend the makefile support (at the moment only really good for windows systems IMO) in order to create projects for all system compilation (including a project for VS2005/8). The reasoning is this. GCC is the only real solution for cross platform compilation. It is used on all supported platforms. However, on Windows based systems, VS seems to reign supreme. Consequently we probably need to allow our future Linux/Mac users a simple and easy method of getting their project across to the windows audience.

I'll be investigating this later, initially I want to get the designer wxAUI compatible.

Changing designer

OK, I know it's been a long time but I have decided to move the design to wxDevCpp (http://wxdsgn.sf.net).

The reason is simple, I am one of the design team of wxDevCpp, whereas I was beta testing the wxForm designer. The consequence to this is that I have access to the source code of the designer, so I can extend it as I need.

This is the opposite to wxForms where as a user I have to wait until its author is able to implement changes and fix bugs.

Consequently I have decided to re-implement the current dialogs in wxDevCpp.

Unfortunately it doesn't have a very good debugger, so I hope to use the VS2005/8 IDE to do the debugging at a later stage.

Initially I need to get the program working as it was and then continue the development.

I have set myself the aim of having something usable before the end of the year. Perhaps not a fully functioning program, but something I can use to edit save and print screenplays.

Holiday Stop

Yeah, I know.

So much to do so little time.

Still, the holidays are looming and I still haven't worked on the autosuggestion for wxScreenplayWriter.

I don't believe I'll have the time before we leave for our holidays but if I do manage to work on the program, you'll read about it here.

Title Page Designer First Attempt

Here he is then. My first attempt at a title page designer. Based heavily on the title page designer from Blyte. (If you look carefully you can see a white rectangle to the right of the listbox - this will be a miniature representation of the title page)

I'm still not satisfied, but it does allow the development of the project without worrying that this needs to be done. I don't want my users to complain that something they desire is missing from the beginning. I might simply offer a series of wx(Rich)TextCtrls allowing the input of information, it would probably make my life a lot easier, but I like this design.

Next I'll work on getting the AutoSuggestions to work. These will be popup listboxes containing suggested lists.

The question is do I do several for the Scene Headings (one for Int/Ext etc, one for Location, one for time) or do I just do one list for the whole scene heading (or again do I allow the user the choice - more choices more programming, more complication for the user)

Title Page Designer

Screenplays have a cover page. This is usually nothing more than a blank page with the name of the screenplay, followed by a name and in the lower right your contact information.

Some users like a title page designer. I have looked into this and am wondering which would be the best option. Keep an eye on the blog, I'll post example images of a couple of ideas for a title page designer in the next couple of days. I am still not sure which it'll eventually become, or perhaps I'll offer several and let the user select which he wants.

Initial image

OK, just to whet your appetites, here is an initial image of wxScreenplayWriter.

What is wxScreenplayWriter?

Hello and welcome to my blog discussing the development and release of wxScreenplayWriter.

wxScreenplayWriter is my own development project. A standalone screenplay word processor.

wxScreenplayWriter will be developed using wxWidgets a true cross platform development toolkit.

It is being developed using wxForms a plugin for Borland/CodeGear C++ development IDE's (everything from Borland C++ Builder 6 personal up to the newest CodeGear Delphi Development suite).

wxScreenplayWriter will be available for all platforms (as long as they belong to Mac/Linux/Windows).

It will function exactly the same on all platforms (at least this is the intention) but should have each platforms unique look and feel wherever possible.

Hopefully I'll be able to provide an initial screenshot in my next blog entry.

Keep on coding
Mal