//Edit
Sorry for the typo, was writing on my mini laptop earlier and the small keyboard makes it difficult.
EDIT: Actually, my VM is running 1024x768, and it is just cut off at the bottom. Perhaps it should have a fullscreen mode?
It is designed for 1024x768 minimum resolution, can your machine support that?
While I'd genreally agree that 1024x768 is a reasonable-to-expect minimum screen size in normal desktop terms, please remember that this tool is highly likely to be extremely useful in game as well as preparing for a game. What that means is that while most of us will have ample monitor space on our primary desktops, alot of us use UMPCs and netbooks during gaming sessions.
A typical resolution for these might 1024x600 (my UMPC that I have next to me right now) or lower (800 x 480 not being uncommon).
I know that alot of the application is WPF based, and I also know that WPF has the ability to be a scalable design (in fact its one of its many advantages over standard Windows Forms applications). I Imagine your usage of bitmapped artwork makes you want to hardwire things, but a scaled image is better than an unscaled application.
As a compromise, you can use the application fairly well with the exception of not being able to hit the 'Create Character' button right at the bottom there. If that were at the top, alot of things would be easier!
Just a suggestion.
It is designed for 1024x768 minimum resolution, can your machine support that?
The native resolution for my particular laptop (ASUS EEE 901) is 1024x600. I think this resolution is also common with other mini laptops (which are becoming increasingly popular and people would tend to use at the game table).
Regardless of what resolution it is designed for, proper UI design suggests you ought to provide a fullscreen mode with scroll bars to navigate the offscreen portions. What if my monitor is running at 1024x768 but I keep my Windows Start Bar vertically on the left side of the screen such that it eats 100 pixels of width? What if I'm running a UI theme with really fat title bars?
It's a stretch to expect your users to change the way they use their desktop to accommodate your software when the .NET framework makes it fairly easy to create a UI that is scrollable, at least.
That said, I was able to get the application running on my desktop at work, and I'm impressed with what I've seen so far. If material from all sources is frequently updated, I think the subscription will be money well spent.
EDIT: Actually, my VM is running 1024x768, and it is just cut off at the bottom. Perhaps it should have a fullscreen mode?
Click on the About button, there's a button that says "Toggle Fullscreen". Try that.
It's good to hear that the tool will be usable at slightly smaller resolutions. And again, from what I've fiddled with at work I'm impressed with the application.
...which only makes it more lamentable that I can't use it on my Vista x64 desktop or my tiny-resolution laptop at home.
It looks like you guys are on the right track with the app and your support of it. Thanks.
I cannot see the bottom of the program. I only see the barest tip of the 'new character' button on the opening screen. Even hiding the taskbar doesn't make it fit. The window bar at the top of the screen stays, in window or full-screen modes.
I've changed the resolution of the laptop, but it only supports some sort of pseudo-pan around work-around.
@Elf - I must be blind: where is the "about" button?
EDIT: Ironically, the "About" button is below the visible area of the program ;) Incidently, it helped but did not entirely fix the problem...still can't see the whole program at 800 pixels vertical.
I'm running CB on my 15" laptop, at 1280x800 (maximum native resolution) on WinXP 32.
I cannot see the bottom of the program. I only see the barest tip of the 'new character' button on the opening screen. Even hiding the taskbar doesn't make it fit. The window bar at the top of the screen stays, in window or full-screen modes.
I've changed the resolution of the laptop, but it only supports some sort of pseudo-pan around work-around.
@Elf - I must be blind: where is the "about" button?
EDIT: Ironically, the "About" button is below the visible area of the program ;) Incidently, it helped but did not entirely fix the problem...still can't see the whole program at 800 pixels vertical.
I have the same problem. I have a 15" HP widescreen laptop running at 1280 X 800 resolution and I cannot see the bottom of the program window. Unfortunately, this means I have no way to print...
I have the same problem. I have a 15" HP widescreen laptop running at 1280 X 800 resolution and I cannot see the bottom of the program window. Unfortunately, this means I have no way to print...
I fixed it. I change my fonts to 'normal' size and I can see the whole window now. Crisis averted...
Cheers,
Verys