The fader method

Now that the display is complete, there's only one thing left for us to do – see to it that elements still remaining visible even when the status window is not in the "open" state (cFos: no com port is open / cFosSpeed: the network port is closed) disappear from the display. This is where we can employ the fader method provided by cFos/cFosSpeed:

  [disp13]
  value=open
  method=fader
  min=0
  max=1
  min_alpha=0
  max_alpha=255
  blend_time=1000
  target=disp1,disp2,disp5,disp6,disp7

This fader changes the alpha value of all sections listed under target depending on the state of the "open" parameter – with min and max delimiting the range that activates the fader.
Initial and final alpha values for the fading process are set by min_alpha and max_alpha, respectively, while blend_time determines the duration of the fading process.

So, we now have a totally empty background when the program starts and no network connections are active.

This is the end of our short tutorial on how to create a cFos/cFosSpeed skin. Still, there are lots of additional options available for each method to further adapt your skin to your own individual needs and aesthetic preferences. Much more information on this is available on the skin definition reference page.

Have fun designing your own skins! :-)

The motion method Advanced techniques Index