SeedCode Newsletter

Dear [firstname,fallback=FileMaker developer],

Welcome to our November newsletter. Below you'll find an announcement of our new Hierarchy, template, along with some tips to help you get the most out of FileMaker. We hope you find this useful.

All the best,

John Sindelar
SeedCode Support
Tel. (206) 715-2126
support@seedcode.com

SeedCode Hierarchy

Add Outlines and Hierarchies to Your Files

We're thrilled to introduce our newest template for FileMaker Pro 9, SeedCode Hierarchy.

The hierarchy is an unlocked FileMaker Pro template that lets you easily add hierarchies, trees, and outlines to your own FileMaker files. You essentially point the hierarchy at your relational structure and it renders your data as a hierarchy, allowing you to drill down and select items.

Simply follow the directions which come with the template and you can paste the hierarchy onto your layouts. The hierarchy is drawn with simple FileMaker scripts and requires no plugins.

Tip: Insert Files or Pictures

Give users just one insert button and then test the inserted file type

While we're generally using Super Container for managing linked files and photos, there are some solutions where users are still using container fields to store their assets. For them, we've often had two buttons to let them insert an asset: one that brought in the media as a file, and the other bringing it is as a photo. These are two separate insert commands in FileMaker, but you can use the following script to present just one insert button to your users, letting the script decide how to import the asset based on what kind of file it is. First we import a reference only, then test the file type and import the real thing.

The snippet below shows the relevant section of the script; you can also download a pdf of the whole script for your reference.

Gradient Maker

Slick tool for making contemporary interfaces

The subtle inclusion of gradients is one of the keys to making interfaces that look contemporary and well cared for. And a solid, contemporary interface is key to getting users to buy into your software, to trust it, and to believe in what it can do for them.

Matt Petrowsky of ISO FileMaker Magazine has put together a great utility to build and store your interface gradients right in FileMaker.

Tip: Faster Help Files

Use FileMaker's Built in Help in Your Browser Instead

If you're tired of waiting for FileMaker's built-in help to load, you can use the same help contents in your browser instead of in FileMaker's Help Viewer. If you're online, simply point your browser to http://www.filemaker.com/help/index.html. On Macs you can do the same thing offline, pointing your browser at the local instance of your help files. Right click on your FileMaker application and select "Show Package Contents", then drag this file to your browser: Contents/Resources/English.lproj/FileMaker Pro Help/index.htm.