ProgressClass is simply a class dedicated to creating and maintaining a window with a progress bar in it. I designed the ProgressClass with the intent that anyone could make a progress bar anywhere, anytime, in any application, with as few hassles as possible. All you have to do is declare it, tell it to show itself, update it as you make progress on your long task, and call its event function periodically. It’ll take care of mouseDowns, keyDowns, launch apps from the Apple Menu while automatically dimming your menus, notify you when you need to update a window in your app, and tell you if the user canceled. And when all is said and done, it will clean up after itself! I tried to make it as painless as possible to use, but if you want it easier, write me and tell me so!
“How Do I Use It?”
Just read the “How to…” files included and you’ll be on your way! (You do need a C++ compiler, though!)
“I’m Sick of Gray Backgrounds and Want to Use My Own Color!”
No Problem! ProgressClass lets you customize such features as the window’s color, the bar’s color, the empty color, 3-D effects, and the text shown right above the progress bar. You can even include your own custom button, as was done below! (The button shown and in the demo is courtesy of Zig Zichterman’s CDEF.)
“What Is ChiselClass?”
Also included is the source code for the chiseling effects you see on the bar and its frame (it’s very very subtle with the progress bar). The class is ChiselClass and is well commented so that you can quickly start incorporating it in your current projects. It will create the chiseled effects you see above in the progress bar window (the hairline chisel 7 pixels outside the whole bar’s frame and the fatter chisel wrapped tightly around the bar’s frame). Currently the chisel edges don’t meet each other at 45° angles, but they will sometime in the future.
ChiselClass can also be customized in a number of ways, including the chisel width and its colors.
“What Environments Will They Run Under?”
I’ve developed and tested these classes in System 7.5 with Symantec C++ 7.0, and have tried to support earlier system versions by calling a Gestalt here and there. What I need to know is how to find out if the monitor is color or not – if you’ve got some sample code on how to do this, pass it on, please!
Legal Stuff
The code and the demo program contained with this archive are freeware, meaning you can freely use it and distribute it, though I retain rights to it. I ask only that you credit me if you use any of the code and that you distribute all the files in this archive when passing it around. No warranties are expressed or implied with regard to the code and demo program in this archive.
If you have questions/comments/suggestions/bug reports, please email them to:
