Jolt 1.0 - a SuperCard 3.0 extension
Ken Ray
Sons of Thunder Software
©1997 Sons of Thunder Software
What is Jolt?
The Jolt extension provides a performance boost to the use of the Project Editor by altering the method that the PE uses to update its palettes.
How Do I Install Jolt?
Place the "Jolt" project in the Startup folder (not the Extensions folder) that is inside your SC Pouch. That's it! Since this extension is activated on startup, you will need to quit and rerun SuperCard if it was already open.
How do I use Jolt?
Normally, whenever an object is selected or created in the Project Editor, it goes through the process of updating all the currently open palettes to reflect the new selection. However, on some Macs (especially on slower ones) the process of updating the palettes takes way too long. Up until now, the only way to minimize the update time was to collapse the palettes and then expand them when you need them.
Jolt is different. It allows you to leave your palettes open, but places a covering graphic over all updateable palettes (as well as the Project Browser) when the selection changes instead of updating the palettes or the Project Browser. This is much faster than having to update them all. This covering graphic makes the window appear "disabled". When you need to have a specific palette (or the Project Browser) update, you simply click on the covering graphic and only that palette updates! Make your selections, and as long as the selection doesn't change, the palette is now "live". Change the selection and it disables again.
For example, suppose I had two objects: a draw rectangle called "Rect1" and a button called "Test". Assume also that I just finished making some changes in the Property Inspector for grc "Rect 1". When I click on the "Test" button, the PI disables with the cover graphic, like this:
When I click anywhere on the PI, it updates to show the currently selected button:
The windows affected by the Jolt extension are:
- Property Inspector
- Colors palette
- Text Palete*
- Project Browser
* The Text Palette has an additional button called "Update" that forces the palette to update when you have changed the selected text in an already open field. Normally, the PE will automatically update the text attributes of this palette if it is open, but with Jolt running, you need to click this button.
Become an Extension Developer!
If you are interested in making your own extensions for SuperCard 3.0, check out Tech Note #13 that shipped with SuperCard 3.0.
If you are interested in creating extensions for SuperCard, give me an e-mail and maybe I can help you out. As the original author of the Project Editor while working for Allegiant, I am aware of the ins and outs of development for the PE, and I'd be more than happy to help you out.
Feedback
If you like (or don't like) this extension, or have suggestions for its improvement, please drop me a line. I'd love to hear any feedback you may have. Also, if you have any suggestions for new extensions you'd like developed, let me know.
Have fun!
Ken Ray
Sons of Thunder Software
1485 N. El Molino Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91104
(818) 798-7928
Email: SonsOThndr@aol.com
SuperCard is a registered trademark of Allegiant Technologies, Inc.
