Tutorial Summary

This lesson covers how to use the advanced features using the iRule Builder.

Topics Covered In This Tutorial

• Sharing libraries
• Macros
• Delays
• Entrances
• Links
• Keyboard shortcuts

Transcript

Welcome to the iRule tutorial video. Lesson 6, GUI Design 3. In this lesson, we will use more advanced techniques in the iRule Builder.

You can share libraries containing images that you uploaded. Click on the Library you want to share and within the Image Library properties window, change the Shared value from no to yes. Your library is now shared with others. You may also want to add a theme or description to help others with searching.

Macros are a series of commands that are executed in a sequence. In this example we will create a macro for the Food network icon in the Landscape Page. In this example, the macro will consist of the channel numbers: 2,3,1 followed by the enter command. To create a macro, just drag and drop additional commands to a button. The commands will be executed from top to bottom in the Panel Tree. You can also adjust the order of a command within the macro by selecting the command in the Panel Tree and using the UP or Down arrows. The Page-up and Page-down keys on the keyboard can be used as a shortcut.

Some Devices require Delays between commands. The iRule can add Delays by right clicking on the Button and selecting Add Delay. As with other elements in the Panel Tree the Delays can be moved up or down in the hierarchy. A Delay has the default of 0.2 seconds, but can be adjusted for your needs.

Entrances are commands that are executed when a Page is entered. This can be useful when switching between input sources such as Cable and DVD. The Entrance for each Device can contain the input switching for the receiver or TV. To create an Entrance, expand the Entrances list in a Panel, right click on Entrances and select Add Entrance. You can rename the Entrance in the properties window. Drag and drop a command or series of commands onto the Entrance. Select the Page from the Panel tree and in the properties window select the Entrance we just created and select the Entrance from the properties list.

Links are buttons that call another Page. Links can call a Page within the same Panel or a Page within another Panel. Create a new Panel by clicking on the drop down triangle next to Panels and select Create item from the list. You can also use the Plus button on the keyboard as a shortcut to create a new item. Rename the new Panel to Lighting in the properties window. Add a new Portrait page and name it theater. In this Page we will create the lighting controls for the theater in Lesson 7. Back in the Lesson 1 Panel, expand the Panel tree to the TV Page. Right click on the TV Page and select Add link from the list. You will notice a blank placeholder with a question mark appears. Drag and drop the lighting image on the Link and move it to the desired location in the interface just like a button. In the properties window, rename the Link to lighting and modify the Panel name, panel type and page name of where the link will jump to. In this example we will select the Lighting Panel, Portrait page type and theater Page.

When you arrive at a Page from a Link, there will automatically be a Back button in the upper right corner, you do not need to program a button manually for this functionality. If you use multiple Links from Page to Page, you can use the back button to go back multiple Pages, just like a web browser.