Layout Reference Element
Layout Reference Elements let you pull an entire existing layout file into your current layout. Rather than duplicating complex layouts across multiple files, you can reference an existing layout and maintain consistency, simplify updates, and speed up your workflow.
When to Use a Layout Reference Element
- Modular UIs
Break large screens into logical chunks (headers, footers, sidebars) and reference them in multiple parent layouts. - Reusable Components
Maintain a single “button set,” “dialog,” or “inventory panel” layout and reuse it wherever needed. - Team Collaboration
Let artists own component layouts; designers can reference them without risking accidental edits. - Dynamic Updates
Change the child layout once and see updates wherever it’s referenced.
Layout Reference Element Properties
| Property | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Name | text | Name of the element. Make sure the name of the element is unique if the element needs to be accessible from code (Enterprise Plan only). |
| Layout | File picker | Layout file path for the element. The referenced layout will be resized based on this element's size. |
| Anchor | .% | Used to position the anchor point of the element (x: 0, y: 0 = top/left, x: 1, y: 1 = bottom/right) |
| Parent Align | .% | Position of the element relative to its parent’s position. (x: 0, y: 0 = top/left, x: 1, y: 1 = bottom/right) |
| Parent Size | .% | Use to resize the element relative to its parent's size (x: 1, y: 1 = match parent size, x: 0.5, y: 0.5 = half of parent size, x: 0, y: 0 = disables parent relative sizing). |
| Size | px | Explicitly set pixel size (logical screen units). |
| Offset | px | Additional pixel offset from the element's position. |
Transform Properties
Transform properties affect the Element, as well as any child elements nested within the Element.
| Property | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pivot | .% | Pivot point for any transformations applied to the element. (x: 0, y: 0 = top/left, x: 0.5, y: 0.5 = center, x: 1, y: 1 = bottom/right). |
| Angle | Degrees | Rotate the element around its Pivot point. |
| Skew | Degrees | Skew along X/Y axes around the Pivot point. |
| Scale | .% | Percentage scale of the element. Setting this value to x: 2, y: 2 scales the element twice as large. |
| Alpha | .% | Transparency applied to the element. The default value 1 displays the element fully opaque, while 0.5 would make the element semi-transparent. Setting the value to 0 makes the element completely disappear. |
Modifiers
Modifiers are vital to creating different visual states for your elements in the UI Editor. They allow you to set up visual state changes and transitions using various properties such as size, position, alpha, etc.
Sounds
Sounds are very similar to Modifiers, but instead of creating visual effects, they create sound effects which can be triggered using Events.
Triggers
Triggers allow you to add interactivity to your QSApp by enabling the ability to trigger modifiers and events when the trigger is activated. You can add triggers for actions like clicking, hovering, and dragging elements.