Help Tags

Has anyone managed to get these working on the Mac?

Here is a first attempt, not working though?

SuperStrict

Import "tooltags.c"

Extern
	Function MyAttachHelpTag( windowRef:Int )
End Extern

Local main_window:TGadget = CreateWindow("Tool tags",0,0,320,240,Null,15)
Local button:TGadget = CreateButton("taged",0,0,100,32,main_window,BUTTON_PUSH)

Local nsview:Int = QueryGadget( button, QUERY_NSVIEW )
DebugLog "error" + MyAttachHelpTag(nsview)

While WaitEvent()
	Select CurrentEvent.ID
		Case EVENT_GADGETACTION
			Select CurrentEvent.Source
			EndSelect	
		Case EVENT_WINDOWCLOSE
			If CurrentEvent.Source = main_window Then Exit
	EndSelect
Wend
End

and tooltags.c

#include <CoreServices/CoreServices.h>
#include <Carbon/Carbon.h>

OSStatus MyAttachHelpTag( ControlRef control )
{
	OSStatus status;
	HMHelpContentRec helpTag;
	
	helpTag.version = kMacHelpVersion;
	helpTag.tagSide = kHMDefaultSide;
	SetRect( &helpTag.absHotRect,0,0,0,0 );
	helpTag.content[kHMMinimumContentIndex].contentType = kHMCFStringLocalizedContent;
	helpTag.content[kHMMinimumContentIndex].u.tagCFString = CFSTR( "The help tag for the window." );
	helpTag.content[kHMMaximumContentIndex].contentType = kHMNoContent;
	
	status = HMSetControlHelpContent(control, &helpTag );

	return status;
}

There's a good chance you won't get Carbon code (your example) working with Cocoa code (MaxGUI).

Is a help tag meant to be a replacement for tooltips, or for working with them?
I notice that in Qt there is support for Help Balloon/tag things, which you can assign to any widget - usually using a "What's this" enabler (you know, when the mouse pointer shows the arrow an a question mark)

Brucey, Yes the help tags were meant to be a direct replacement for my balloontips implementation on the PC. This really is bad news :-( I wonder if cocoa has tooltips?

Perhaps people should take out another MAXGUI license to get QT finished instead.

Hah... I can't see how that would help :-p


Cocoa has tooltips - in the Max sense of a ToolTip - that is, you hover the mouse over the gadget and after a slight delay the tool tip appears.
If that is what you are after?

As far as I can tell, there is no direct support for Help Balloons/Windows in Cocoa. However, Carbon does include this as it comes from the old MacOS 9, which did have this functionality.

Really for all gadgets? I know they are available for toolbar, but for buttons?

they are indeed available for all gadgets.. MaxGUI doesn't enable them (on all platforms).

Perhaps you need to make a request :-)

Will this use up one of my three wishes? Well either way, to whom it may concern I would like like to request that ToolTips be enabled on all gadgets!

I am keeping my fingers crossed. and squinting in anticipation.