| Build-A-Board: The Next Generation of Onscreen Keyboards; Version 2.20 Release 7; User's Guide | ||
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| Prev | Chapter 3. Build-A-Board Operation | Next |
TERMINOLOGY - the following outlines words and terms used throughout this manual and defines the specific meaning used within the context of Build-A-Board.
KEY = used interchangeably with button, the user-interface control (often displayed as graphical button with up/down states). Pressing (clicking) a key triggers an action (Key Action).
PANEL = Keys are arranged in groups onto Panels.
BOARD = the actual layout of keys (buttons) in a configuration, as one or more Panels.
RUN-TIME TARGET = this is the device, operating system, or platform where a board will be displayed on and presented to a user for operation (typically as an on-screen keyboard or user-interface component).
PROJECTS = contains the details and definitions to manage and work with boards for one or more run-time targets.
KBF = the single-file output that defines a board for a run-time target. This is the file extension to identify the file, and it is derived from KeyBoard File (.KBF).
SOURCE = the actual SOURCE folder that contains the source files for projects and boards, or used as reference back to the Builder (which can manipulate, edit, and modify the Source of a board).
TARGET = the actual TARGET folder that contains built run-time targets and KBF files for each project. Each project also gets a TEST target that is used during development to show the built board
BOARDS = the BOARDS folder contains built run-time targets and KBF files for use by the My-T-Soft run-time software. Each built project places its KBF into the local system's BOARDS folder.
BUILDER = Application where boards can be created, modified, and KBF Run-Time data files are created. Manages projects (Source files) and Run-Time Targets (Target files). Provides a "rich-application" environment for Developers and Users working with Board & Key Properties.
Quick Usage Notes
Note: For those users that prefer to jump right in, this is a quick step-by-step approach to build your first board.
1) Select Project (Board)
Select existing sample or existing project, Default Size, or Set Board Size project. Details at Project Selection.
2) Add Keys
Add New Key (Right-click | Add New Button, Edit | Add New Key, Insert key, Add Tool, click & drag on empty board area, drag & drop from Keys window (F8)). For additional information, see working with the Panel Display.
3) Move & Size Keys
Click & Drag - Key area, moves key; frames, resizes key
Arrow keys - Move Key; with Ctrl & Shift, resizes frames
See Panel Display and Cursor Tools and Menus & Settings.
4) Modify Keys
Key area (Double-click, Right-click | Properties). See Key Properties for details.
5) Build & Execute
Build Board (Build menu | Build, Tool bar | Build, F9 key). Refer to Building Boards.
Execute My-T-Soft with Board layout from with Builder for testing (TARGET TEST Folder) (Build | Execute, Tool bar | Run, F10 key).
6) Copy to Target System / Deployment / Upload to Build-A-Board.com Account.
Other information at Run-Time Options
Windows Systems:
Run-Time | View Project Run-Time Targets Folder
The appropriate folder contains the run-time My-T-Soft software and Keyboard layouts (e.g. MSWIN, MSWIN32, MSWIN64, etc.). This folder can be copied/transferred to the matching Windows system and the MYTSOFT.EXE can be run directly. On systems with a My-T-Soft family product installed, the KBF file can be copied to the [Shared Documents] BOARDS folder.
Windows CE Systems:
By selecting an ActiveSync Synchronized folder in Run-Time | Select Output (ActiveSync) folder, after a successful Build, My-T-Soft Run-Time files will be copied to the selected folder, and ActiveSync will synchronize with the Target System.
Android Systems:
The Android run-time must be installed/configured on your Android device. By selecting an Output folder in Run-Time | Setup Output (ActiveSync) folder, after a successful Build, My-T-Soft Run-Time files will be copied to the selected folder, and the layout files can be transferred to your Android device.
Linux/Unix Systems:
You must install the appropriate build onto the target system, then copy required KBF files to the target system (folder with mytsoft executable). Use Run-Time | View Project Run-Time Targets folder to view/access Target KBFs from built project(s).
Mac OS X Systems:
You must install the Mac OS X run-time onto the target system, then copy required KBF files to the target system (My-T-Soft application folder). Use Run-Time | View Project Run-Time Targets folder to view/access Target KBFs from built project(s).
As seen in ...
