Counter Display Problem

[zybers1]

Two things, one a slight annoyance, and the other a bigger one.

First, is there some way to have counters be left-aligned? So that the leftmost digit never moves, and more are added on to the right (say there is text on the left of it that shouldn't be get covered, or something). I've used workarounds like having fixed digits/start the counters off way to the right, or keeping another counter to keep track of the digits, then move the counter over. First solution limits your options and isn't aesthetically pleasing, and the second is wasted resources, but I can't find a simple tick-box to make the counter left-aligned.

The next problem is that counters just won't be displayed over top of formatted text objects. Doesn't matter if they are 100 layers above them, or if there isn't any text over top, just if the space (even blank) considered part of the text box is covering the counter, it won't get displayed. I've resorted to print screening the text and making a backdrop or an active object as a workaround, but that's just silly. Backdrops are very limited, so you can't do that every time, and it's bad practice to have tons of active objects that aren't very... active.

Unless it's just me, make a new app, insert a formatted text object, and see if you can get a counter to display on top.

[Popcorn]

1:

Let a string object display the counter's value like this:

* Always
- String: Set alterable string to str$(value( "Counter" ))


2:

You need to untick 'display as background' in the display options of the string object. You might also order it to front after that.

[Jaffob]

1:

Let a string object display the counter's value like this:

* Always
- String: Set alterable string to str$(value( "Counter" ))

Two comments about that:

-A simpler approach that does not require any events is to set the display type to "Text".
-Setting the display to text or doing it your way both disallow graphics for each character.

[James]

1:

Let a string object display the counter's value like this:

* Always
- String: Set alterable string to str$(value( "Counter" ))

If you do this, you should only do it when the value changes, not Always. If you do it Always, it will have to convert the value to a string every loop.

[zybers1]

Thanks for all the help, guys, really appreciated.

But setting the counter to text type doesn't work for me. The options to set the allignment are all greyed out. Also losing the ability to have graphics is a shame.

[zybers1]

There really isn't a way to change the alignment here? I mean other than making some text fetch the value of an offscreen counter.