Common Desktop Environment Motif Toolkit

The Common Desktop Environment Motif toolkit is Motif 2.1 with bug fixes, enhancements, and some new features. You must explicitly set resources to enable the new features. Functional additions include file selection box GUI modifications, different default settings of existing resources (primarily to lighten up the default border widths), color management enhancements, internationalization of error messages, and minor usability fixes (some of which have the effect of easing migration of OPEN LOOK users to the Common Desktop Environment).

Common Desktop Environment Motif and Motif 2.1 are also highly compatible. Most functions put into Common Desktop Environment Motif have been introduced into Motif 2.1. As a result, developers have compiled their applications with Common Desktop Environment Motif, relinked to Motif 2.1, and ran the applications successfully. Widget subclassing that has not followed Motif 1.2 subclassing guidelines designed to shield programs from widget size changes are likely to fail.

A drag-and-drop convenience layer has been added on top of the Motif 1.2 drag-and-drop API. In addition, the Common Desktop Environment uses the Motif 1.2 preregister drag feedback protocol. A drop site drag manager process keeps track of visible drop zones on the desktop. This data is used by a drag source client process to manage drag feedback interaction. Limited drag time validation of drop zones is followed by full validation at drop time, with snap-back-to-source animation if the drop fails.

Common Desktop Environment Motif includes a GUI style guide and certification checklist that has substantially expanded on the Motif 2.1 style guide. Additions affect the input models, window management, and GUI design principles.