Name: lookAndFeel

Type: property

Syntax: set the lookAndFeel to {"Appearance Manager"|Macintosh|Motif|"Windows 95"}

Summary: Specifies which <platform> the <user interface|user-interface> <control|controls> resemble.

Introduced: 1.0

OS: mac,windows,linux,ios,android

Platforms: desktop,server,web,mobile

Example:
set the lookAndFeel to "Motif

Example:
set the lookAndFeel to the selectedLine of field "Appearance"

Value (enum): The <lookAndFeel> is one of the following:By default, the <lookAndFeel> is set to the <platform> the <stack> is being used on. On Windows XP, <Mac OS> and <OS X|OS X systems>, the <lookAndFeel> is set to "Appearance Manager" by <default> 
-Appearance Manager  : standard Windows XP, Mac OS and OS X look and feel
-Macintosh  : emulated Mac OS Platinum appearance, used regardless of current theme
-Motif  : standard Motif look and feel for Unix systems
-Windows 95  : standard Windows look and feel

Description:
Use the <lookAndFeel> <property> to preview the <appearance> of <stacks> on a <platform> other than the one you're developing on.

The <lookAndFeel> <property> determines the <appearance> and <behavior> of <scrollbar|scrollbars>, <object> borders, <checkbox|checkboxes> and <radio button|radio buttons>, and <button menu|button menus>. It also changes the <appearance> of the <active (focused) control(glossary)>.

However, changing this property does not provide an exact representation of the appearance and behavior of the stack on the target platform. For example, cursors do not change, and neither do the placement of the menu bar or the way window dragging and resizing works. Only the appearance of controls is affected.

The "Appearance Manager" option can be used only on Windows XP, Mac OS and OS X systems. If you set the <lookAndFeel> to "Appearance Manager" on a <Unix>  <system>, it is reset to "Motif". Similarly, tf you set the <lookAndFeel> to "Appearance Manager" on a pre-Windows XP <system>, it is reset to "Wondows 95".

On Mac OS systems, the native Appearance Manager drawing routines are much slower than the emulated Platinum routines. Setting the <lookAndFeel> to "Macintosh" rather than "Appearance Manager" will speed up drawing of <control|controls>.

>*Note:* The phrases "Appearance Manager" and "Windows 95" must be enclosed in quotes because they consist of more than one <word>.

Changes:
The "Appearance Manager" option was introduced in version 1.1. In previous versions, LiveCode applications always used the Platinum appearance on Mac OS systems, regardless of which theme was selected on the user's system.

References: emacsKeyBindings (property), activatePalettes (property), hiliteBorder (property), word (keyword), default (keyword), system (keyword), focus (command), stacks (function), platform (function), property (glossary), checkbox (glossary), behavior (glossary), Mac OS (glossary), user interface (glossary), OS X (glossary), appearance (glossary), Unix (glossary), radio button (glossary), active control (glossary), button menu (glossary), scrollbar (object), object (object), stack (object), control (object)

Tags: ui
