Typing Override Script and Laptop Keyboard Too (Part 1)
In this series of howto category blog entries we're creating a scripted laptop keyboard.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
The Setup
In a previous entry we discussed a way to reduce the size of stubborn objects. Since we were on a roll I decided it might be a nice idea to discuss enhancing and customizing free objects. Many of the free objects you get, ALL of the free objects that were Building Shelter entries, are fully customizable. That means you can resize them, re-texture them, add scripts to them or tear them apart for components if you wanted to.
In that spirit I thought it would be useful to continue on our present course and transmogrify FireEyes Fauna's laptop creation into a keyboard that we could use as a visual aid. It would notify others that we're typing as many similar objects do already. I believe proper transmogrification involves a cardboard box and a ton of imagination. In order not to confuse my new resident readers (are there new resident readers of this blog? Introduce yourself to me in-world, would you?) I'll skip the cardboard box and go extra heavy on the imagination.
This was shaping up to be a long howto entry. If you just want the script without reading the details like most geeks then go directly to Part 4. (Hint: they're being posted one part per day)
I have previously posted a modified version of Max Case's free keyboard script on this blog. See Dolmere Talamasca - Second Life "resident": Keyboard Override, Typing Animation Override script. At the time I just wanted to post my script but I realize I failed to do any real dirty work. I didn't add any comments or add to the author info, etc. I had a string calling an animation "Dol-HoldingCards" which I should have at least changed to "INSERT-YOUR-ANIMATION-NAME-HERE" and been clear that the animation has to be copied into the same prim where you place the script. Further the code to apply a texture to a basic prim is long gone so that old comment is wrong AND I'm missing instructions that this script should be placed in attachment that is already a keyboard device.
One of the reasons I decided to jump in with both feet and put this howto together was a conversation I had via IM in-world last week. A fella, who asked not to be named specifically so I'll refer to him as W.D., contacted me regarding the keyboard script I had posted.
W.D.: Hey, sorry to disturb you. I'm testing the "Keyboard Override" script I found on your blog because I'm making a typing AO, Is there supposed to appear a keyboard when you type? Neither your script or the original script seems to have a working keyboard, maybe I'm missing something because I'm worthless at scripting
Dolmere Talamasca: Thanks for the question. Scripts don't create objects per se, but rather modify their behavior. So, no there is no keyboard object supplied, just a script to place inside a keyboard
One might note that the original script from the Linden WIKI included setting a texture and texture animation. It can be found here: http://www.lslwiki.net/lslwiki/wakka.php?wakka=LibraryKeyboardScript While we're at it Max Case has also posted some LSL snippets for the adventurous: http://maxcase.devjavu.com/
W.D.: Thanks for the answer : ) , I have the script inside a prim that i attached to the hud, I have made a custom typing animation and it works but no keyboard. I tested the original script too but it didn't work
Dolmere Talamasca: I see - the AO is working, but you want to have a keyboard appear, probably a custom one? The trick to that is pretty straight forward - I could talk you through the concepts. May I quote you on my blog? :)
W.D.: You may quote me (preferably without showing my name though) Aye, a custom one is what I'm after
Dolmere Talamasca: I'll abbreviate to W.D. then? :)
W.D.: I'm going to sell it, I guess that's ok considering the script is open source?
Note that the wording from the scripts I inherited regarding reselling is: "Feel free to reuse, etc. Please don't just resell this script. That would be lame, since I am giving it to you for free. Naturally, if you build something nice off of it, sell that. Or make a nice texture you would like to sell with keyboard script, that's ok. Just leave script open to all to see."
So no, there is no problem with reselling the script as part of an object as long as the script is full perm when it is sold.
In the next entry in this series W.D. and I converse some more, W.D. discovers and shares an interesting twist in multi-prim keyboard design and we're properly re-introduced to the project at hand.