Control Layout

This tutorial will describe several different techniques that can be used to position the controls on your screens.  Control layout is actually a key component of the MediaPortalEditor and allows the designer to easily and quickly position controls without having to manually type in X,Y coordinates (however this option is available to the designer if required). A control is positioned inside a container.  How the control is positioned inside its container is determined primarily by its containers layout style.  There are several different layout styles, and these will be described below.

Grid Layout

The grid layout allows controls to be moved around with the keyboard or mouse, and has the ability to snap controls to a specified grid size.  This layout style is the most commonly used, as it allows controls to be moved with pixel accuracy, to any location inside a container.  The most common way of using the GridLayout is to select the control you wish to move around or resize, then move your mouse over the selection mask.  You will notice the cursor change from the default pointer, to the move, or resize cursor.  Dragging the selection mask will in turn move the control.  Dragging individual nodes will resize the control appropriately. 

Vertical Flow Layout

The grid layout allows controls to be moved around with the keyboard or mouse, and has the ability to snap controls to a specified grid size.  This layout style is the most commonly used, as it allows controls to be moved with pixel accuracy, to any location inside a container. 

Horizontal Flow Layout

The grid layout allows controls to be moved around with the keyboard or mouse, and has the ability to snap controls to a specified grid size.  This layout style is the most commonly used, as it allows controls to be moved with pixel accuracy, to any location inside a container.