SDL SoftKeyboard Class

[BruceLee]

SDL-SK (SDL-SoftKeyboard)
Current state: Alpha 2

Hi.
Since some of the sdl games that we port could use some keyboard input (for example the name of a savegame) i thought of making a soft-keyboard class easy to implement.
For the moment the attached image is just an edited image to show how it should look in the end.
After implementing most of my ideeas and getting the project to a decent level I'll write a short tutorial for including SK in your SDL source.
Further updates will be posted here.

DETAILS:

SEAMLESS mode = Sends keyboard events to SDL and those are processed by the host application (which in this case only sends output to terminal). It's assumed that the host application knows how to process the key presses.

SEPARATED mode = Pauses the host app and gets a string without sending any key events. If it's called with SK::GetString(char str[]); the str variable will contain the input text.

Each has advantages and disadvantages. For example SEAMLESS is dependent on the host framerate and it works only if fullscreen blits are runned.
While SEPARATED can only get you a string but it's host independent so to say.

I'd say that SK is quite flexible as the binaries present in the alpha2 release are compiled with SDL_image but it can also be compiled without it. Of course it will result in a lack of graphical details such as shadows or transparency but it will work. Also the font is not true type font so it doesn't need SDL_ttf. It's using a slightly modified SFont class which keeps the font in an image.

UPDATES:

> 16 Oct 2010 > v0.1 Alpha 2

- Too many changes to remember (again) but here are some important things:
- added animation when showing/hiding SK
- added background transparency
- Separated mode now has transparent background when compiled wihtout SDL_image
- demo application controls:
. . . to open Seamless mode press space / Call
. . . to open Separated mode press R / ButtonUnderCall
- got it implemented in fheroes2
- uploaded new screenshots

> 15 Oct 2010 > v0.1 Alpha 1

- Too many changes to remember all
- This builded binaries of this example are a demo of the 'Separated' mode
- The code is quite a mess right now but I've uploaded anyway since I've said I will

> 13 Oct 2010 > v0.1.0 Pre-Alpha

- Changed status from "Early ideea" to "Pre-Alpha".
- Uploaded 0.1.0pre-alpha version compiled for x86 and ezx (the archive contains absolutely everything I used to make this. Even the images from which I've built the keyboard theme.)
. . . Press Space[PC] or Call[Phone] to Show/Hide the keyboard (Opens the 'seamless' mode. A 'separated' mode will come.)
. . . Run through terminal/telnet so you can see what's happening

Screenshots:

[kundancool]

Good Work ... and keep us informed about it

[shantanu]

Keep up the good work brother

[BruceLee]

UPDATE > 13 Oct 2010 > v0.1.0 Pre-Alpha

Check the first post

[kundancool]

nice update...
you are working really hard on this..

[BruceLee]

tonight will come the alpha version... and maybe you'll see it implemented in an actual game

EDIT: I'm sorry but it seems that I didn't get to do what I wanted.. Some lack of time and a bit tired.. But since I've told you that I'll post an update I've uploaded the current version although it's not at all ready.

[kundancool]

which game you are going to implement this alpha release...?

[BruceLee]

I've just uploaded the alpha2 version which is more of an eye-candy update

[kundancool]

I've just uploaded the alpha2 version which is more of an eye-candy update

Checking ... I hope next version would be even better with much updates...

Thanks..

BUG FOUND : the test box comes only when we press "R" in keyboard in x86

testing on EZX

[BruceLee]

Checking ... I hope next version would be even better with much updates...

Thanks..

BUG FOUND : the test box comes only when we press "R" in keyboard in x86

testing on EZX

you still don't get it here's a brief explanation which might clear things up


SEAMLESS mode = Sends keyboard events to SDL and those are processed by the host application (which in this case only sends output to terminal). So there is no need for any text box. It's assumed that the host application has it implemented.

SEPARATED mode = Pauses the host app and gets a string without sending any key events. If it's called with SK::GetString(char str[]); the str variable will contain the input text.

Each has advantages and disadvantages. For example SEAMLESS is dependent on the host framerate and it works only if fullscreen blits are runned.
While SEPARATED can only get you a string but it's host independent so to say.

I'd say that SK is quite flexible as the binaries present in the alpha2 release are compiled with SDL_image but it can also be compiled without it. Of course it will result in a lack of graphical details such as shadows or transparency but it will work. Also the font is not true type font so it doesn't need SDL_ttf. It's using a slightly modified SFont class which keeps the font in an image.