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Motif and CDE 2.1 Style Guide Reference

Gauge (Control)

Reference

Description

A gauge is a graphical display, generally used for values that the user cannot directly change. For example, you can use a gauge to display the percent complete in an in-progress message. The gauge has the same required and optional elements as a slider.

Figure 29. Gauge.




View figure.

When to Use

Recommended
Use a gauge in an in-progress message to show the degree to which a task is completed. For example, use a gauge to indicate how many files have been copied relative to the number that remain to be copied.

Recommended
Use a gauge when it is useful to show the user a value relative to a range of possible values but when the value cannot be changed.

Recommended
Use a gauge whose value can be shown when the displacement of the value from the minimum value is more important than the value itself.

Guidelines

Required
When the value of the gauge cannot be directly changed, use a zero-width slider arm. Fill the track between the position of the minimum value and the current value to achieve a thermometer-like effect.

Required
When the value of the gauge can be directly changed, do the following:

  1. Use a slider arm whose appearance provides some indication (such as a thumb or handle) that it can be manipulated.

  2. Fill the track between the position of the minimum value and the slider arm to achieve a thermometer-like effect.

  3. Use the same pattern or color in the trough as in the slider arm so that they appear to be one continuous whole.

  4. Place the slider arm so that the edge opposite to the filled area is at the position of the current value.

    5. Required
    Do not display arrow buttons in a gauge if the value in the gauge cannot be changed.

    Required
    All appropriate guidelines that apply to sliders apply to gauges whose values can be directly changed by the user.

    Essential Related Topics

    For more information, see the In-Progress Message, Scroll Bar (Control), and Slider (Control) reference pages.

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