wx.aui.AuiManager¶

wx.aui.AuiManager is the central class of the AUI class framework.

wx.aui.AuiManager manages the panes associated with it for a particular wx.Frame, using a pane’s wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo information to determine each pane’s docking and floating behaviour.

wx.aui.AuiManager uses wxWidgets’ sizer mechanism to plan the layout of each frame. It uses a replaceable dock art class to do all drawing, so all drawing is localized in one area, and may be customized depending on an application’s specific needs.

wx.aui.AuiManager works as follows: the programmer adds panes to the class, or makes changes to existing pane properties (dock position, floating state, show state, etc.). To apply these changes, wx.aui.AuiManager’s Update function is called. This batch processing can be used to avoid flicker, by modifying more than one pane at a time, and then “committing” all of the changes at once by calling Update.

Panes can be added quite easily:

text1 = wx.TextCtrl(self)
text2 = wx.TextCtrl(self)
self.mgr.AddPane(text1, wx.LEFT, "Pane Caption")
self.mgr.AddPane(text2, wx.BOTTOM, "Pane Caption")
self.mgr.Update()

Later on, the positions can be modified easily. The following will float an existing pane in a tool window:

self.mgr.GetPane(text1).Float()

Layers, Rows and Directions, Positions¶

Inside AUI, the docking layout is figured out by checking several pane parameters. Four of these are important for determining where a pane will end up:

Direction: Each docked pane has a direction, Top, Bottom, Left, Right, or Center. This is fairly self-explanatory. The pane will be placed in the location specified by this variable.
Position: More than one pane can be placed inside of a dock. Imagine two panes being docked on the left side of a window. One pane can be placed over another. In proportionally managed docks, the pane position indicates its sequential position, starting with zero. So, in our scenario with two panes docked on the left side, the top pane in the dock would have position 0, and the second one would occupy position 1.
Row: A row can allow for two docks to be placed next to each other. One of the most common places for this to happen is in the toolbar. Multiple toolbar rows are allowed, the first row being row 0, and the second row 1. Rows can also be used on vertically docked panes.
Layer: A layer is akin to an onion. Layer 0 is the very center of the managed pane. Thus, if a pane is in layer 0, it will be closest to the center window (also sometimes known as the “content window”). Increasing layers “swallow up” all layers of a lower value. This can look very similar to multiple rows, but is different because all panes in a lower level yield to panes in higher levels. The best way to understand layers is by running the AUI sample.

Window Styles¶

This class supports the following styles:

wx.aui.AUI_MGR_ALLOW_FLOATING: Allow a pane to be undocked to take the form of a wx.MiniFrame.
wx.aui.AUI_MGR_ALLOW_ACTIVE_PANE: Change the color of the title bar of the pane when it is activated.
wx.aui.AUI_MGR_TRANSPARENT_DRAG: Make the pane transparent during its movement.
wx.aui.AUI_MGR_TRANSPARENT_HINT: The possible location for docking is indicated by a translucent area.
wx.aui.AUI_MGR_VENETIAN_BLINDS_HINT: The possible location for docking is indicated by gradually appearing partially transparent hint.
wx.aui.AUI_MGR_RECTANGLE_HINT: The possible location for docking is indicated by a rectangular outline.
wx.aui.AUI_MGR_HINT_FADE: The translucent area where the pane could be docked appears gradually.
wx.aui.AUI_MGR_NO_VENETIAN_BLINDS_FADE: Used in complement of wx.aui.AUI_MGR_VENETIAN_BLINDS_HINT to show the docking hint immediately.
wx.aui.AUI_MGR_LIVE_RESIZE: When a docked pane is resized, its content is refreshed in live (instead of moving the border alone and refreshing the content at the end).
wx.aui.AUI_MGR_DEFAULT: Default behaviour, combines: wx.aui.AUI_MGR_ALLOW_FLOATING | wx.aui.AUI_MGR_TRANSPARENT_HINT | wx.aui.AUI_MGR_HINT_FADE | wx.aui.AUI_MGR_NO_VENETIAN_BLINDS_FADE.

Events Emitted by this Class¶

Handlers bound for the following event types will receive one of the wx.aui.AuiManagerEvent parameters.

EVT_AUI_PANE_BUTTON: Triggered when any button is pressed for any docked panes.
EVT_AUI_PANE_CLOSE: Triggered when a docked or floating pane is closed.
EVT_AUI_PANE_MAXIMIZE: Triggered when a pane is maximized.
EVT_AUI_PANE_RESTORE: Triggered when a pane is restored.
EVT_AUI_PANE_ACTIVATED: Triggered when a pane is made ‘active’. This event is new since wxWidgets 2.9.4.
EVT_AUI_RENDER: This event can be caught to override the default renderer in order to custom draw your wx.aui.AuiManager window (not recommended).

Class Hierarchy¶

Inheritance diagram for class AuiManager:

Methods Summary¶

`__init__`	Constructor.
`AddPane`	`AddPane` tells the frame manager to start managing a child window.
`AlwaysUsesLiveResize`	Returns `True` if live resize is always used on the current platform.
`CalculateHintRect`	This function is used by controls to calculate the drop hint rectangle.
`CanDockPanel`	Check if a key modifier is pressed (actually or ) while dragging the frame to not dock the window.
`ClosePane`	Destroys or hides the given pane depending on its flags.
`CreateFloatingFrame`	Creates a floating frame in this wx.aui.AuiManager with the given parent and wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo.
`DetachPane`	Tells the wx.aui.AuiManager to stop managing the pane specified by window.
`DrawHintRect`	This function is used by controls to draw the hint window.
`GetAllPanes`	Returns an array of all panes managed by the frame manager.
`GetArtProvider`	Returns the current art provider being used.
`GetDockSizeConstraint`	Returns the current dock constraint values.
`GetFlags`	Returns the current wx.aui.AuiManagerOption’s flags.
`GetManagedWindow`	Returns the frame currently being managed by wx.aui.AuiManager.
`GetManager`	Calling this method will return the wx.aui.AuiManager for a given window.
`GetPane`	`GetPane` is used to lookup a wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo object either by window pointer or by pane name, which acts as a unique id for a window pane.
`HasLiveResize`	Returns `True` if windows are resized live.
`HideHint`	`HideHint` hides any docking hint that may be visible.
`InsertPane`	This method is used to insert either a previously unmanaged pane window into the frame manager, or to insert a currently managed pane somewhere else.
`LoadPaneInfo`	`LoadPaneInfo` is similar to LoadPerspective, with the exception that it only loads information about a single pane.
`LoadPerspective`	Loads a saved perspective.
`MaximizePane`	Maximize the given pane.
`ProcessDockResult`	`ProcessDockResult` is a protected member of the `AUI` layout manager.
`RestoreMaximizedPane`	Restore the previously maximized pane.
`RestorePane`	Restore the last state of the given pane.
`SavePaneInfo`	`SavePaneInfo` is similar to SavePerspective, with the exception that it only saves information about a single pane.
`SavePerspective`	Saves the entire user interface layout into an encoded String , which can then be stored by the application (probably using Config).
`SetArtProvider`	Instructs wx.aui.AuiManager to use art provider specified by parameter art_provider for all drawing calls.
`SetDockSizeConstraint`	When a user creates a new dock by dragging a window into a docked position, often times the large size of the window will create a dock that is unwieldy large.
`SetFlags`	This method is used to specify wx.aui.AuiManagerOption’s flags.
`SetManagedWindow`	Called to specify the frame or window which is to be managed by wx.aui.AuiManager.
`ShowHint`	This function is used by controls to explicitly show a hint window at the specified rectangle.
`StartPaneDrag`	Mostly used internally to define the drag action parameters.
`UnInit`	Dissociate the managed window from the manager.
`Update`	This method is called after any number of changes are made to any of the managed panes.

Properties Summary¶

`AllPanes`	See `GetAllPanes`
`ArtProvider`	See `GetArtProvider` and `SetArtProvider`
`Flags`	See `GetFlags` and `SetFlags`
`ManagedWindow`	See `GetManagedWindow` and `SetManagedWindow`

Class API¶

class wx.aui.AuiManager(EvtHandler)¶

Possible constructors:

AuiManager(managed_wnd=None, flags=AUI_MGR_DEFAULT) -> None

AuiManager is the central class of the AUI class framework.

Methods¶

__init__(self, managed_wnd=None, flags=AUI_MGR_DEFAULT)¶

Constructor.

Parameters:

managed_wnd (wx.Window) – Specifies the wx.Frame which should be managed.
flags (int) – Specifies the frame management behaviour and visual effects with the wx.aui.AuiManagerOption’s style flags.

Return type:

None

AddPane(self, *args, **kw)¶

Overloaded Implementations:

AddPane (self, window, pane_info)

AddPane tells the frame manager to start managing a child window.

There are several versions of this function. The first version allows the full spectrum of pane parameter possibilities. The second version is used for simpler user interfaces which do not require as much configuration. The last version allows a drop position to be specified, which will determine where the pane will be added.

Parameters:

window (wx.Window)
pane_info (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)

Return type:

bool

AddPane (self, window, direction=LEFT, caption=’’)

Parameters:

window (wx.Window)
direction (int)
caption (string)

Return type:

bool

AddPane (self, window, pane_info, drop_pos)

Parameters:

window (wx.Window)
pane_info (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)
drop_pos (wx.Point)

Return type:

bool

static AlwaysUsesLiveResize()¶

Returns True if live resize is always used on the current platform.

If this function returns True, AUI_MGR_LIVE_RESIZE flag is ignored and live resize is always used, whether it’s specified or not.

Currently this is the case for wxOSX and GTK3 ports, as live resizing is the only implemented method there.

Return type:: bool

Added in version 4.1/wxWidgets-3.1.4.

CalculateHintRect(self, paneWindow, pt, offset)¶

This function is used by controls to calculate the drop hint rectangle.

The method first calls DoDrop() to determine the exact position the pane would be at were if dropped.

Parameters:

paneWindow (wx.Window) – The window pointer of the pane being dragged.
pt (wx.Point) – The mouse position, in client coordinates.
offset (wx.Point) – Describes the offset that the mouse is from the upper-left corner of the item being dragged.

Return type:

Rect

Returns:

The rectangle hint will be returned in screen coordinates if the pane would indeed become docked at the specified drop point. Otherwise, an empty rectangle is returned.

CanDockPanel(self, p)¶

Check if a key modifier is pressed (actually or ) while dragging the frame to not dock the window.

Parameters:: p (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)
Return type:: bool

ClosePane(self, paneInfo)¶

Destroys or hides the given pane depending on its flags.

Parameters:: paneInfo (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)
Return type:: None

See also

wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo.DestroyOnClose

CreateFloatingFrame(self, parent, p)¶

Creates a floating frame in this wx.aui.AuiManager with the given parent and wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo.

Parameters:

parent (wx.Window)
p (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)

Return type:

wx.aui.AuiFloatingFrame

DetachPane(self, window)¶

Tells the wx.aui.AuiManager to stop managing the pane specified by window.

The window, if in a floated frame, is reparented to the frame managed by wx.aui.AuiManager.

Parameters:: window (wx.Window)
Return type:: bool

DrawHintRect(self, paneWindow, pt, offset)¶

This function is used by controls to draw the hint window.

It is rarely called, and is mostly used by controls implementing custom pane drag/drop behaviour.

Parameters:

paneWindow (wx.Window)
pt (wx.Point)
offset (wx.Point)

Return type:

None

GetAllPanes(self)¶

Returns an array of all panes managed by the frame manager.

Return type:: AuiPaneInfoArray

GetArtProvider(self)¶

Returns the current art provider being used.

Return type:: wx.aui.AuiDockArt

See also

wx.aui.AuiDockArt.

GetDockSizeConstraint(self, widthpct, heightpct)¶

Returns the current dock constraint values.

See SetDockSizeConstraint for more information.

Parameters:

widthpct (float)
heightpct (float)

Return type:

None

GetFlags(self)¶

Returns the current wx.aui.AuiManagerOption’s flags.

Return type:: int

GetManagedWindow(self)¶

Returns the frame currently being managed by wx.aui.AuiManager.

Return type:: Window

static GetManager(window)¶

Calling this method will return the wx.aui.AuiManager for a given window.

The window parameter should specify any child window or sub-child window of the frame or window managed by wx.aui.AuiManager.

The window parameter need not be managed by the manager itself, nor does it even need to be a child or sub-child of a managed window. It must however be inside the window hierarchy underneath the managed window.

Parameters:: window (wx.Window)
Return type:: wx.aui.AuiManager

GetPane(self, *args, **kw)¶

Overloaded Implementations:

GetPane (self, window)

GetPane is used to lookup a wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo object either by window pointer or by pane name, which acts as a unique id for a window pane.

The returned wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo object may then be modified to change a pane’s look, state or position. After one or more modifications to wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo, wx.aui.AuiManager.Update should be called to commit the changes to the user interface. If the lookup failed (meaning the pane could not be found in the manager), a call to the returned wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo’s IsOk() method will return False.

Parameters:: window (wx.Window)
Return type:: wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo

GetPane (self, name)

Parameters:: name (string)
Return type:: wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo

HasLiveResize(self)¶

Returns True if windows are resized live.

This function combines the check for AlwaysUsesLiveResize and, for the platforms where live resizing is optional, the check for wx.aui.AUI_MGR_LIVE_RESIZE flag.

Using this accessor allows to verify whether live resizing is being actually used.

Return type:: bool

Added in version 4.1/wxWidgets-3.1.4.

HideHint(self)¶

HideHint hides any docking hint that may be visible.

Return type:: None

InsertPane(self, window, insert_location, insert_level=AUI_INSERT_PANE)¶

This method is used to insert either a previously unmanaged pane window into the frame manager, or to insert a currently managed pane somewhere else.

InsertPane will push all panes, rows, or docks aside and insert the window into the position specified by insert_location.

Because insert_location can specify either a pane, dock row, or dock layer, the insert_level parameter is used to disambiguate this. The parameter insert_level can take a value of AUI_INSERT_PANE, AUI_INSERT_ROW or AUI_INSERT_DOCK.

Parameters:

window (wx.Window)
insert_location (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)
insert_level (int)

Return type:

bool

LoadPaneInfo(self, pane_part, pane)¶

LoadPaneInfo is similar to LoadPerspective, with the exception that it only loads information about a single pane.

This method writes the serialized data into the passed pane. Pointers to UI elements are not modified.

Parameters:

pane_part (string)
pane (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)

Return type:

None

Note

This operation also changes the name in the pane information!

See also

LoadPerspective

See also

SavePaneInfo .

See also

SavePerspective

LoadPerspective(self, perspective, update=True)¶

Loads a saved perspective.

A perspective is the layout state of an AUI managed window.

All currently existing panes that have an object in “perspective” with the same name (“equivalent”) will receive the layout parameters of the object in “perspective”. Existing panes that do not have an equivalent in “perspective” remain unchanged, objects in “perspective” having no equivalent in the manager are ignored.

Parameters:

perspective (string) – Serialized layout information of a perspective (excl. pointers to UI elements).
update (bool) – If update is True, wx.aui.AuiManager.Update is automatically invoked, thus realizing the specified perspective on screen.

Return type:

bool

See also

LoadPaneInfo

See also

LoadPerspective

See also

SavePerspective

MaximizePane(self, paneInfo)¶

Maximize the given pane.

Parameters:: paneInfo (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)
Return type:: None

ProcessDockResult(self, target, new_pos)¶

ProcessDockResult is a protected member of the AUI layout manager.

It can be overridden by derived classes to provide custom docking calculations.

Parameters:

target (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)
new_pos (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)

Return type:

bool

RestoreMaximizedPane(self)¶

Restore the previously maximized pane.

Return type:: None

RestorePane(self, paneInfo)¶

Restore the last state of the given pane.

Parameters:: paneInfo (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo)
Return type:: None

SavePaneInfo(self, pane)¶

SavePaneInfo is similar to SavePerspective, with the exception that it only saves information about a single pane.

Parameters:: pane (wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo) – Pane whose layout parameters should be serialized.
Return type:: str
Returns:: The serialized layout parameters of the pane are returned within the string. Information about the pointers to UI elements stored in the pane are not serialized.

See also

LoadPaneInfo

See also

LoadPerspective

See also

SavePerspective

SavePerspective(self)¶

Saves the entire user interface layout into an encoded String , which can then be stored by the application (probably using Config).

Return type:: str

See also

LoadPerspective

See also

LoadPaneInfo

See also

SavePaneInfo

SetArtProvider(self, art_provider)¶

Instructs wx.aui.AuiManager to use art provider specified by parameter art_provider for all drawing calls.

This allows pluggable look-and-feel features. The previous art provider object, if any, will be deleted by wx.aui.AuiManager.

Parameters:: art_provider (wx.aui.AuiDockArt)
Return type:: None

See also

wx.aui.AuiDockArt.

SetDockSizeConstraint(self, widthpct, heightpct)¶

When a user creates a new dock by dragging a window into a docked position, often times the large size of the window will create a dock that is unwieldy large.

wx.aui.AuiManager by default limits the size of any new dock to 1/3 of the window size. For horizontal docks, this would be 1/3 of the window height. For vertical docks, 1/3 of the width.

Calling this function will adjust this constraint value. The numbers must be between 0.0 and 1.0. For instance, calling SetDockSizeContraint with 0.5, 0.5 will cause new docks to be limited to half of the size of the entire managed window.

Parameters:

widthpct (float)
heightpct (float)

Return type:

None

SetFlags(self, flags)¶

This method is used to specify wx.aui.AuiManagerOption’s flags.

flags specifies options which allow the frame management behaviour to be modified.

Parameters:: flags (int)
Return type:: None

SetManagedWindow(self, managed_wnd)¶

Called to specify the frame or window which is to be managed by wx.aui.AuiManager.

Frame management is not restricted to just frames. Child windows or custom controls are also allowed.

Parameters:: managed_wnd (wx.Window)
Return type:: None

ShowHint(self, rect)¶

This function is used by controls to explicitly show a hint window at the specified rectangle.

It is rarely called, and is mostly used by controls implementing custom pane drag/drop behaviour. The specified rectangle should be in screen coordinates.

Parameters:: rect (wx.Rect)
Return type:: None

StartPaneDrag(self, paneWindow, offset)¶

Mostly used internally to define the drag action parameters.

Parameters:

paneWindow (wx.Window)
offset (wx.Point)

Return type:

None

UnInit(self)¶

Dissociate the managed window from the manager.

This function may be called before the managed frame or window is destroyed, but, since wxWidgets 3.1.4, it’s unnecessary to call it explicitly, as it will be called automatically when this window is destroyed, as well as when the manager itself is.

Return type:: None

Update(self)¶

This method is called after any number of changes are made to any of the managed panes.

Update must be invoked after AddPane or InsertPane are called in order to “realize” or “commit” the changes. In addition, any number of changes may be made to wx.aui.AuiPaneInfo structures (retrieved with wx.aui.AuiManager.GetPane ), but to realize the changes, Update must be called. This construction allows pane flicker to be avoided by updating the whole layout at one time.