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Polymorphic: Code By Numbers
Published by on Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Lots of new features were added to the auto-config this week. Since there are so many to mention, I drew up a numbered diagram to make it easier to see what I’m talking about (click for a larger version).

1. Chatter - This add-on provides a number of cool chat features like shorter channel names, coloring player names by class, and streamlining the scrolling process (no more huge, ugly arrow buttons). The TaeoUI auto-config handles resizing and positioning the chat window in its little graphical niche for you (it also handles the combat log on the right side).
2. SLDT - Simple Light Data Text provides lightweight displays of vital statistics including durability, gold count, fps, etc. It also often provides tooltips that display more in-depth information when moused over. The default TaeoUI SLDT displays are automatically left, center, or right aligned, and move with the main panel as it changes size.
3. Pitbull - Pitbull Unit Frames offer an absurd amount of configuration options for the adventurous user. In TaeoUI, we use them to display information on the player, target, and target-of-target (ToT). The amount of information shown is custom selected to be no more or less than is needed (no redundant cast bar or buff/debuff display on the player frame, for example).
4. Alternate UF - Number four is an alternate anchor point for the unit frames. It opens up more space on the bottom of the screen for other components that you may want to put there. For healers, we plan to create a custom, low-profile Grid layout to get your raid frames up front and center.
5. Class Timer - This add-on create and displays timers for class specific abilities. In the screenshot, you see Renew because the test character is a Priest. We auto-configure the Class Timer bars to anchor to the player and target unit frames. We also change their position and direction of expansion (up or down) depending on where the UFs are anchored (they’re on the bottom side, growing down for the top anchor, and top side, growing up for the bottom anchor).
6. Quartz Target Bar - Quartz adds a target cast bar to the target frame. Unlike the Pitbull cast bar (which is always visible, and a black bar when no spell is being cast), Quartz appears when it is needed and disappears when spell casting is complete. It is always positioned on the opposite side of the unit frame from the Class Timer bars.

What remains to be added is a set of raid frames (Grid) and some non-spatial add-ons like HitsMode for a nicer combat log display. Look for a first release of the no-hassle TaeoUI 2.0 sometime in July.

~Polydwarf

Share 6 Responses to “Polymorphic: Code By Numbers”

1. Posted by Exius on June 23, 2009 at 5:58 pm

   This is looking great! Can’t wait for 2.0

   Keep up the great work guys.
2. Posted by Matticus on June 26, 2009 at 12:58 am

   Looks very good. I’m eagerly awaiting to see what the final product looks like for healers.
3. Posted by Budd42 on June 30, 2009 at 12:59 am

   First I want to say this UI looks amazing! I would also like to make a suggestion if its possible. Maybe add Omen into the layout, personally I think it would be great to have a threat readout right where the combat log is.

   Not sure if its something you could or would be willing to do, but either way I am looking forward to the new release.
4. Posted by Hzar on June 30, 2009 at 6:52 am

   I spent a good few hours fiddling with the settings on the most recent compilation trying to work out how to reposition what I now know to be ClassTimers - I wish I’d read this post first! I’m looking forward to spending more time with this UI but it’s already a million times better than my own cobbled together work. I like that you’re going to respect individual addon customisations as well. Personally I got rid of the combat log and dumped Recount in exactly the same spot, which works a treat. When the ’spots’ like that become anchor points and you have a bunch of possible addons that can be resized into them, that will be even easier to achieve.

   All in all, if the auto-configuring version comes out and does what I want out of the box, I promise to come back and click your donate button! The real test will be if my girlfriend can get it up and running…
5. Posted by Joe on June 30, 2009 at 11:18 am

   Ok, I have been fiddling with UIs since i was level a lowly level 10 druid and never stopped, I love changing things and i can’t wait for this to come out. I am leaving the game for 2 months for Army training and i hope v2.0 will be operational when i get back, because its the first thing i’m looking for.
6. Posted by Polydwarf on June 30, 2009 at 3:15 pm

   @Budd42 - I’m hoping to integrate as many auto-config anchors as possible. For some stuff though, it might just be easier to let the user drag the window into place and size it up as they like.

   @Hzar - I like your way of visualizing it as spots and add-ons anchored there. That’s the idealization of the layout system. Unfortunately, some add-ons have to take a different shape entirely to fit in different kinds of holes (like how Bartender drops/adds buttons or how Grid will swap layouts). For a lot of it though, I think that your logic would work well. Thank you for your offer of support.

   @Joe - I hope we don’t disappoint. Good luck with your training.