Softimage SDK Programmer's Guide > Customizing with the SDK > Custom Properties >

# Property Page Controls

Most controls are typically inherently tied to the data type of the associated parameter. For example, a check box is the default control for a boolean parameter and a numeric control (normally with both an edit control and a slider) is the default control for any numeric parameter.

There are also alternate controls, like the icon list control, which functions like a radio control but displays a bitmap icon instead of the radio button. Another example is the list box and combo (drop-down) box controls which both offer a set of choices to the user but one (list box) is more suited to short lists than the other (combo box).

The command button control is not directly associated with a parameter. In this case, a function in the underlying logic is executed when the user clicks the button. This function may perform tasks using the parameter data from the associated property set.

The various controls available on the Property Page Layout or Property Page Layout are summarized in the following table. The Name column contains links to more specific information about the control, including which attributes it supports:

Name | Category | Data Type | Default | Description | siPPGControlType value
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Static Text | Labels | string |  | Displays value of a string parameter as read-only. This can be used to add instructions to a Property Page. | siControlStatic
Bitmap Widget | Labels | anything |  | Generally used for displaying bitmap (icon or logo), this control is associated with a real parameter on the underlying CustomProperty but the value is neither read nor changed. | siControlBitmap
Single-line Text | Editable Text Boxes | string | yes | Editable text box; default control for a string parameter. | siControlString
Multi-line Text | Editable Text Boxes | string |  | Editable text box; the size and style can be customized. | siControlEdit
Text Editor Widget | Editable Text Boxes | string |  | Editable text box; greater customization is possible. | siControlEdit
List Box | Enum Controls | string or numeric (integers, longs, floats and doubles) |  | Lists a number of options (read-only values); but only one item can be selected at a time; supports scroll bars. | siControlListBox
Combo/Drop-Down Box | Enum Controls | string or numeric (integers, longs, floats and doubles) |  | Lists a number of options (read-only values) with only the selected item visible; user clicks on control to display all possible items to choose from; well-suited for large lists. | siControlCombo
Radio Buttons | Enum Controls | string or numeric (integers, longs, floats and doubles) |  | Lists all options (read-only values) on the page at the same time; user clicks on small circle to select one at a time; well-suited for small lists. | siControlRadio
Icon Buttons | Enum Controls | string or numeric (integers, longs, floats and doubles) |  | Lists all options (read-only values) on the page at the same time; user clicks on specified (bitmap) icon to select one at a time; well-suited for small lists. | siControlIconList
Bitfield | Enum Controls | numeric (integers, longs, floats and doubles) |  | Set of small squares indicating whether or not the underlying value is added to the total for the control; user clicks the control to toggle between true and false. | siControlCheck
File Browser Widget | Path Controls | string |  | Edit box for string path of file and widget for calling the File Browser to pick a file. | siControlFilePath
Folder Widget | Path Controls | string |  | Edit box for string path of folder and widget for calling the Folder Picker to pick a directory. | siControlFolder
Numeric Edit Box with Slider | Numeric Controls | numeric (integers, longs, floats and doubles) | yes | Numeric edit box for manually typing numbers; optionally includes slider; default for all numeric parameters. | siControlNumber
RGB Color Control | Numeric Controls | (3) doubles |  | Softimage color control with three channels (no Alpha); associated with 3 underlying parameters (one for each channel). | siControlRGB
RGBA Color Control | Numeric Controls | (4) doubles |  | Softimage color control with four channels; associated with 4 underlying parameters (one for each channel). | siControlRGBA
FCurve Widget | FCurve Widget | FCurve or FCurve | yes | Softimage fcurve control; changes can be handled by OnChanged events in Logic like other controls. | siControlFCurve
GridData Widget | GridData Widget | GridData or GridData | yes | Multi-column list control, similar to a spreadsheet; supports 2-dimensional array. | siControlGrid
Synoptic Widget | Synoptic Widget | string |  | A control that shows a synoptic view. You use this control with a string parameter whose value is the full path to the synoptic file. | siControlSynoptic
Check Box | Check Box | boolean | yes | Small square indicating true value if checkmark is visible; user clicks the control to toggle between true and false. | siControlBoolean
Command Button | Command Button | none | n/a | Buttons that are linked to OnClicked events in Logic; no underlying parameters are associated with buttons. | siControlButton

#### Topics in this section

- Labels
- Editable Text Boxes
- Enum Controls
- Path Controls
- Numeric Controls
- FCurve Widget
- GridData Widget
- Synoptic Widget
- Check Box
- Command Button