# Ruby-Tk LIbraries Runtime Library 3.0 and Gestalt Items **URL:** \ **Category:** Ruby\ **Created:** [November 6, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-tk-libraries-runtime-library-3-0-and-gestalt-items/178565 "2009-11-06T15:00:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Arndt_Roger_S)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-tk-libraries-runtime-library-3-0-and-gestalt-items/178565/1 "2009-11-06T15:00:47Z")
Hi Ruby commuters It is my distinct pleasure to announce the availability of Runtime Library 3.0 and Gestalt Items 1.1 for Ruby-tk and Ruby. Both libraries are written in Tcl/Tk \>= version 8.4. Ruby-tk based Ruby Wrapper classes are part the libraries, making them accesible from Ruby. The libraries contain a wide range of composite windows for Tk: Basic Container windows for - scroll able dialogs - automatic scrollbar management Listboxes and Hierarchy - Combobox - A edit able listbox (called gistbox) - Multi-column listboxes - Tree A complete AQUA compliant toolbar infrastructure - goolbar and zoolbar, toolbars implemented in Tk canvas and / or TkPath and TkZinc - gooleditor the associated interactive toolbar editor. - A multi-line toolbar (galette) Dialogs: - A dual shell, could serve as an interactive Ruby shell - A Font selection dialog (Windows design) tabset, status bar, … Take a look at the brand-new manual pages dedicated to Ruby: [http://gestaltitems.sourceforge.net/ruby/index.html](http://gestaltitems.sourceforge.net/ruby/index.html) There is currently only one Ruby specific examples inside the Ruby manual pages, sorry. The Ruby wrapper classes do not contain typed properties or methods, such as for tracing variables. These Ruby-tk specific features are best implemnted through inheritance. The Ruby wrapper classes are be generated from the Tcl/Tk source. Some Details about the Libraries: All the composite windows use explicit naming conventions –they are predeterministic-- to keep bi-directional communication between Tcl and Ruby minimal. Most of the composite windows either use the Tk canvas or TkPath pathCanvas window in their implementation. This makes it possible to convert all the composites into SVG. The SVG generator is a separate --unpublished-- tool and not bundled with the libraries. The manual pages contain such SVGs generated from Tk. TkPath is highly recommended to gain a visually sophisticated GUI. The libraries do also work without TkPath. TkPath is based on CAIRO under X11 and bypasses the Tk X11-emulation layer under Windows and OSX. Download Packages: geitems11.tgz – Gestalt Items Library in Tcl/Tk geitemsRuby11.tgz – Ruby classes for above Gestalt Items rtl30.tgz – Runtime Library in Tcl/Tk rtlruby30.tgz – Ruby classes for above Runtime Library Also see the original documentation at: [http://gestaltitems.sourceforge.net](http://gestaltitems.sourceforge.net) The Runtime Library (Tcl/Tk) is documented by two books, the latest book is online at: > **[Runtime Library 3.1](https://gestaltitems.sourceforge.net/rtl/index.html)** > > Basic composite windows written in Tcl/Tk. With support for Ruby, Python, Lisp. Predominatly based on Tk Canvas or PathCanvas. Fully convertible into Scaleable Vector Graphics. The Gestalt Items book: > **[Gestalt Items 1.2](https://gestaltitems.sourceforge.net/geitems/index.html)** > > Higher level composite windows written in Tcl/Tk. With support for Ruby, Python, Lisp. Predominantly based on Tk Canvas, PathCanvas or Zinc. Fully convertible into Scalable Vector Graphics. All three books contain lots of Tcl/Tk examples and screen shots (as bitmaps). -roger ---
**Author:** ![Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Arndt_Roger_S)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-tk-libraries-runtime-library-3-0-and-gestalt-items/178565/2 "2009-11-08T19:02:38Z")
Hi Arndt, Just wanted to let you know of the library I’m currently working on: > **[GitHub - manveru/ffi-tk: FFI bindings to the Tk GUI toolkit](https://github.com/manveru/ffi-tk)** > > FFI bindings to the Tk GUI toolkit. Contribute to manveru/ffi-tk development by creating an account on GitHub. I’ll go through your stuff, sounds really handy. On Fri, Nov 6, 2009 at 11:00 PM, Arndt Roger S. ---
**Author:** ![Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Arndt_Roger_S)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 12:06pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-tk-libraries-runtime-library-3-0-and-gestalt-items/178565/3 "2009-11-09T12:06:55Z")
Michael F. schrieb: > Hi Arndt, > > Just wanted to let you know of the library I’m currently working on: > [GitHub - manveru/ffi-tk: FFI bindings to the Tk GUI toolkit](http://github.com/manveru/ffi-tk) > I’ll go through your stuff, sounds really handy. [snip] Hi Michael, your project lacks some documentation. How does the interface differ from ruby-tk? Only in the require statement? What about custom properties–traces on variables? I have a tool which generates wrapper classes from the Tcl source code for python, ruby and lisp, support for your library wouldn’t be hard. -roger ---
**Author:** ![Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Arndt_Roger_S)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2009, 1:02pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-tk-libraries-runtime-library-3-0-and-gestalt-items/178565/4 "2009-11-09T13:02:35Z")
On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 8:05 PM, Arndt Roger S. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) wrote: > [snip] > Tcl source code for python, ruby and lisp, support for your > library wouldn’t be hard. I’m sorry, the project is just a month old and just got usable recently, still a few of the commands are missing. I will try to improve the documentation and make a first release soon, maybe within a week. The interface differs from ruby-tk by not providing lots of aliases and using the C API of Tcl/Tk a lot more. You can take a look at the specs and examples to see how it is being used, usual apps don’t need a lot of change to run on FFI::Tk. Thanks for the information. I haven’t found any information on TkPath, is it shipped with tk, or do i need to compile anything to install it? ---
**Author:** ![Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Arndt\_Roger\_S](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/Arndt_Roger_S)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-tk-libraries-runtime-library-3-0-and-gestalt-items/178565/5 "2009-11-10T15:36:26Z")
Michael F. schrieb: > > How does the interface differ from ruby-tk? > > I’m sorry, the project is just a month old and just got usable Yes it’s a 3rd party package! The Runtime Library and Gestalt Items are independent from tkpath –you just get a more sophisticated Graphical User Interface with transparency and gradients 🙂 The Tcl-related documentation of the Runtime Library contains a chapter on tkpath: [http://gestaltitems.sourceforge.net/rtl/RTL\_Tkpath.html](http://gestaltitems.sourceforge.net/rtl/RTL_Tkpath.html) In short the project is hosted at sourceforge under > **[TkPath](https://tclbitprint.sourceforge.net/)** > > TkPath, SVG canvas for Tk Source code access through CVS: # cvs tkpath: cvs -d:pserver:removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid:/cvsroot/tclbitprint login # gives you version 0.3.x # [enter] cvs -z3 -d:pserver:removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid:/cvsroot/tclbitprint co -P tkpath There are some administrative difficulties with tkpath right now. I do recommend that you use a stable older version (0.2.8 instead of the current 0.3 and 0.3.1). The Runtime Library and Gestalt Items support both tkpath 0.2 and 0.3.x. -roger