Creating A GUI

MT_Keg · 04-17-2010, 10:04 AM

Hey All,

I have been running OpenFOAM for some time now and I was interested in a GUI for it. It seems that the GUI for this program is only for release 1.5 and earlier. Now they are up to 1.6. I have a plan on how the GUI should look but this will be my first time building one. I was wondering if there are any recommendations on how I should go about building this GUI and if there are any tutorials around so I could get my feet wet?

Thanks

MT

amani · 04-17-2010, 10:20 AM

Join their developers, users list, discuss and then specify. Rest should be easy

pixellany · 04-17-2010, 10:25 AM

For anything that is command-driven, you can always make a simple GUI using dialog, kdialog, or zenity.

Auuming the thing is open-source, you can also get the source code, a toolkit like gtk or qt, and go to work....

MT_Keg · 04-17-2010, 10:37 AM

I am hoping to change the fact that it is command line driven and set it up such that specific options can be selected and then the files created upon a 'solve' button. At this point I need to figure out what program/way is the best way to do this. I will definitely join their development group and discuss what I want to do but first I want to experiment and see how difficult this process will be.
Will dialog, kdialog, or zenity be good for this? I don't know how simple this will be but we will see!

Thanks

MT

pixellany · 04-17-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT_Keg

Will dialog, kdialog, or zenity be good for this? I don't know how simple this will be but we will see!MT

You'll have to try them.....They are very handy for making very simple GUIs.

MT_Keg · 04-17-2010, 11:43 AM

I am not really sure how simple this will be... I plan to include a menu bar, a tool bar, visualization screen on one side and a tree on the other. I am thinking of using a format similar to this:
http://www.colan.org/Catalog/steam_reformer_cape.png
But I know I can't copy it directly; I like the format and hope to be able to build upon it and make it more efficient for OpenFOAM.

Any thoughts?

MT

giammy · 04-17-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT_Keg

I am hoping to change the fact that it is command line driven and set it up such that specific options can be selected and then the files created upon a 'solve' button. At this point I need to figure out what program/way is the best way to do this. I will definitely join their development group and discuss what I want to do but first I want to experiment and see how difficult this process will be.
Will dialog, kdialog, or zenity be good for this? I don't know how simple this will be but we will see!

Thanks

MT

Hi,
in my opinion dialog, kdialog, or zenity are quite limited for your project. Just an idea: did you get a look on their old GUI? perhaps it could be a good starting point to develope your GUI!

bye
giammy

MT_Keg · 04-17-2010, 02:37 PM

Yes i did get a chance to look at the old GUI and that is part of the basis of my game plan.

Quote:

in my opinion dialog, kdialog, or zenity are quite limited for your project.

Then what could I use to develop this GUI?

MT