Inserting a parameterized embedded scene object

A parameterized embedded scene object connects two scenes and passes information from one scene to another.

About this task

For example, if a source scene displays a scatter chart of automobile sales, you can define each point on the chart as an embedded scene object that contains a destination scene displaying sales data for a particular manufacturer. You pass the manufacturer name as a parameter to the destination scene using the embedded scene object.
Note: You can use a scene from another Visual Project. If you want to open a scene from another Visual Project check the corresponding check box, click the ellipsis (...) and browse for the visual project you want to use. When you close the Open wizard, path to the selected Visual Project is displayed in the Another visual project field.

To create a parameterized embedded scene object:

Procedure

  1. Select the scene that you want to embed in the embedded scene object. Choose Insert > Scene to create a new scene or open an existing scene by double clicking it in the Project Explorer view. If this is a new scene, or you have to edit the scene, add the text and graphical elements.
  2. Specify that the embedded scene will receive parameters. Expand the folder for the scene that you want to embed. Expand the Locals folder for the scene. Right-click the Parameters folder and select Insert Parameter. The Insert Parameter window opens.
  3. Enter the name of the parameter in the Name field and select a data type for the parameter from the Data type list box. You can enter a description for the parameter in the Description field. Select the Has default value if you would like to specify a default value for the parameter. A field where you will specify the default value opens. Click the ellipsis (...) for help in specifying the default value. The button that is provided depends on the data type that is selected. Click Finish.
    The Insert Parameter window closes.
  4. Select the source scene where you will place the embedded scene object. Select Insert > Scene to create a new scene or open an existing scene by double clicking it in the Project Explorer view. The source scene is displayed in the editor.
  5. Add an embedded scene object to the source scene. From the Containers palette in the Palette view, double-click Embedded Scene.
    The Embedded Scene Wizard opens.
  6. Select the name of the scene that you will embed from the Embedded scene list box.
  7. Select the Navigate to embedded scene when clicked with the mouse check box to automatically generate an event action for the embedded scene object. The generated event action specifies that a mouse click the embedded scene object will take a user to the embedded scene. The Navigate to embedded scene when clicked with the mouse check box should be cleared if you want to specify a different event action for the embedded scene object.
  8. Specify the location and zoom level of the embedded scene in the X location, Y location, and Zoom fields.
  9. Click Finish.
    The Embedded Scene Wizard closes and the new embedded scene is displayed in the editor window.
  10. Select or create an object that can receive user input, for example a combo or list box.
  11. Set the parameter value that will be passed to the embedded scene. In the Project Explorer view, expand one or more source scene folders to expose the embedded scene object. Expand the embedded scene object's folder. You will see the name of the embedded scene. Click the name of the embedded scene. The parameters that you have specified for the embedded scene are listed in the Properties view. Any default values are also listed. You can specify the values in the Properties view. Double-click the Value field to open the Expression Designer. The Expression Designer will help you specify the value for the parameter. If you used a list to accept user input then you must select a property value of the list to include in the parameter value.