Upgrading from Newlook 10 to Newlook 11
WHAT HAS CHANGED | LIMITATIONS | UPGRADE PROCESS
Newlook 11.0 has been developed on an entirely new code base from previous versions. Some little-used features have been dropped from the product, some have changed and a handful of features are not yet be available. It is important that you read through the information below so that you are aware of anything that may require your action.
IMPORTANT!
We encourage all existing customers moving from a prior version of Newlook to contact Support to discuss migration suitability prior to upgrading to Version 11.
What has changed?
Smartclient
Newlook Smartclient has been redeveloped using managed code, which means that it now shares its code base with Newlook Developer, and a significant amount of Newlook Server's code base as well. The main benefit of this re-write is that Newlook Smartclient, Newlook Developer and Newlook Server will now look and feel more consistent. Changes to screens in Newlook Developer, will look the same in Smartclient and will be far more consistent in Server. Many of the controls have been re-designed, layout has been improved and some new features have been added to the Smartclient interface.
If you are upgrading from a previous version of Newlook, we recommend reviewing your saved form overrides as there are minor differences in layout between the two versions that may affect certain screens. You will also need to be aware of any items in your solution that are deprecated, obsolete or not yet implemented (refer to the section What limitations do you need to be aware of).
TIP!
To quickly preview your saved form overrides, open the Host or Added Forms collection window, set the view mode to Coverflow (
) and size the preview image panel until it is big enough that you can see the forms clearly. Arrow down through the list of forms .
Smartframe
Smartframe is an executable, looksoftware.SmartFrame.exe, which contains it's own Chromium-based browser, allowing you to load a custom HTML and JavaScript framework, that surrounds, and interacts with, the Smartframe Newlook Control using the Smartframe Newlook Control API.
If you are currently deploying Smartclient within a Smartframe you will need to either:
- replace your existing Smartframe template with one of the installed Newlook 11 Smartframe templates, OR
- convert your existing template so that it is compatible with Newlook 11.0 (note that not all existing templates will be compatible with this version, please contact Support if you require advice on migrating your templates).
It is worth familiarizing yourself with the various Smartframe components and how they work together, including the Smartframe Newlook Control API. The table below outlines the various properties, events and methods supported in the current Smartframe and Embedded Newlook Controls compared to the old Newlook ActiveX control.
You will also need to gain a basic understanding of the new Smartframe Deployment process.
Newlook ActiveX control and Smartframe Newlook Control API comparison:
Startup Parameters
| Parameter | Smartframe Newlook Control | Embedded Newlook Control | Newlook ActiveX control | Description |
| BackColor |
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This startup parameter determines the back color of certain Smartframe Newlook control toolbar elements (typically used to set the background color of the title bar and function key bar for pop ups forms). |
| ForeColor |
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This startup parameter determines the text color of certain toolbar elements in the Smartframe Newlook Control (typically used to set the color of title bar text for pop up forms). |
| HideConnectionDialog |
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This startup parameter of the Smartframe Newlook Control prevents the connection progress dialog window from displaying when a session is connecting. |
| HideToolbars |
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| HoverColor |
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Speicfies the color for the ActiveX control foreground or text when the mouse pointer is over the control. Obsolete parameter. |
| MultiSessionEventsFilter |
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This startup parameter allows you to specify which events will be triggered in hidden sessions running in the Smartframe Newlook Control. |
| Options |
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This parameter determines the command line parameters to run when the Smartframe Newlook Control starts. |
| Run |
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Specifies the application to run once the control has loaded. The Smartframe Newlook Control handles this in deployment settings and does not require this property. |
| UpdateFile |
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Specifies the file that the Newlook Updates tool references to determine whether an update is necessary. The Smartframe Newlook Control uses an alternate deployment method and does not require this property. |
| UpdateOptions |
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Specifies optional parameters that can be used when updating web client files. The Smartframe Newlook Control uses an alternate deployment method and does not require this property. |
Properties
| Property | Smartframe Newlook Control | Embedded Newlook Control | Newlook ActiveX control | Description |
| DesiredClientSize |
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Read only. Returns a structure containing the recommended client Width and Height to prevent scrollbars from displaying. |
| License |
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Returns the type of license that will be requested. No longer relevant. |
| ServerInstance |
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Specifies a session ID for a host session Instance. Not applicable for the Smartframe Newlook Control. |
| SettingsFile |
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Get or set the settings (.ini) file used by the Newlook Active X control. Not applicable for the Smartframe Newlook Control. |
| TimeOut |
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This property maintains the Newlook ActiveX control session without disconnecting it if the user navigates to another web page and back again. The Smartframe Newlook Control does not require this property. |
Events
| Event | Smartframe Newlook Control | Embedded Newlook Control | Newlook ActiveX control | Description |
| OnClicked |
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Triggered when the user clicks on the client area of the screen or a control. |
| OnClosed |
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Triggered when a custom form is closed. |
| OnConnectStateChanged |
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This event is triggered each time the user connects or disconnects in the Newlook Control. |
| OnControlChanged |
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Triggered when an input capable control is updated. |
| OnDesiredClientSizeChanged |
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This event is triggered each time the DesiredClientSize property of the Smartframe Newlook Control changes. |
| OnFunctionKeyChanged |
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This event is triggered each time a new array of function keys is received in the Newlook Control. |
| OnOpened |
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This event is triggered when an added form is opened in the Newlook Control. |
| OnReceived |
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This event is triggered each time a new screen is received from the host in the Newlook Control. |
| OnRefreshed |
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This event is triggered each time a screen is refreshed in the Newlook Control. |
| OnSent |
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This event is triggered each time a screen is sent back to the host in the Newlook Control. |
| OnStatusChanged |
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This event is triggered when the host session status changes in the Newlook Control. |
| OnTitleChanged |
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This event is triggered when the screen title changes in the Newlook Control. |
| OnViewChanged |
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This event is triggered each time the user switches between GUI and Emulator mode in the Newlook Control. |
Methods
| Method | Smartframe Newlook Control | Embedded Newlook Control | Newlook ActiveX control | Description |
| Close | N/A | |
N/A | This method checks that its safe to ‘Close’ before releasing resources. |
| GetJSONValue |
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Retrieves data from the Newlook control as a JSON formatted string. |
| GetValue |
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Retrieves the value of a variable or object property from the Newlook Control. |
| GetVersion |
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Returns the current Newlook version. GetValue("App.Version") can be used in place of this method. |
| Invoke |
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Enables direct calls to any Newlook object method. |
| PlayTransaction |
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Play the specified transaction. This can be performed indirectly through Invoke(“App.PlayTransaction”). |
| RunMacro |
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Runs the specified Newlook macro. |
| SendKeys |
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Issues keystrokes to the Newlook Control. |
| SetValue |
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Sets the value of a Newlook variable or object property. |
Smartclient Deployment
The existing deployment process for Smartclient solutions has been replaced with a new process from Newlook 11.0 onwards.
It is no longer possible to deploy Smartclient solutions using cab files and the existing nlupdate tool. If you currently use this method of deployment, and you are upgrading to Newlook 11, you will need to familiarize yourself with the new Deployment process and create new deployment packages. There are a few key concepts which are necessary to understand, but once you have grasped these, the process is designed to be far quicker and easier to maintain.
Updated Developer UI
The first thing you will notice when you start Newlook 11.0 is the updated interface. Things are still where you expect them to be, but we have made some subtle changes to make various features easier to work with. The following improvements are ones that are worth taking a look at, as they will save you time and effort: clickable runtime error links, clickable runtime form properties, sizable forms preview images, support for scalable vector graphics, improved Color Settings, updated Inspector UI (including a Find Control tool), auto-load current solution in Smartframe preview, extended 'Find All' tool and support for Unicode in 5250.
What limitations do you need to be aware of?
Newlook customers upgrading from previous versions should be aware of the following limitations:
Deprecated and obsolete items
The following out-dated tools have been removed from Newlook:
- test recorder/player
- offline recorder/player
- change management
In addition there are properties, property values, methods, actions, constants and other tools that are no longer supported in Newlook 11. Refer to the Obsolete and Deprecated Items topic for a list of these items and the recommended action to take.
The Compatibility report can be used to identify any of these items in your solution.
Potential text wrapping or overlapping in heavily refaced screens
The technical framework that Newlook 11.0 has been developed under has minor differences in relation to control positioning and font sizing compared to previous versions. This difference has no bearing on forms that have been saved with the default control sizing and layout, however forms created in older versions that contain extensive, pixel-perfect positioning and changes to font size, will occasionally render with text that wraps or overlaps in Newlook 11.0. In most cases, the recommended solution to this problem is to decrease the size of the font in controls that are wrapping or overlapping or, where there is available space, either default or increase the width of the control.
To assist with this task, the coverflow image panel in the Forms collection window is now sizable. This allows you to size the preview images to a large enough scale that you can see each screen clearly, then arrow down through the forms in the list and review each one without leaving the window or having to open the form.
IMPORTANT!
It is important to stress that, while this issue is unlikely to impact the majority of users, as with any upgrade to a new version, we encourage you to test your solution fully before deploying it to your users.
Potential differences in the width of text in 27 x 132 forms
The text wrapping issue described above is particular evident in 27 x 132 forms. To overcome this limitation, where the Maintain default font aspect ratio on 27x132 screens option has been turned off in Display Settings, Newlook will use a 'narrow' version of the control's specified font to display the text, if it is currently installed on the machine running Newlook. Note that this will only apply to 27 x 132 screens where controls have been manually sized to something other than the default width.
If you are noticing differences in text wrapping in 27 x 132 screens between different machines, then it is worth checking whether the 'narrow' version of the specified font is currently installed.
Embedded Newlook Control
Newlook 11 no longer includes a Newlook ActiveX control object, therefore it is not possible to host the Newlook 11 client as an ActiveX control in Newlook forms (added forms, host forms or master forms) or 3rd party applications (for example, a VB application). The Newlook Developer installer includes an alternative control, the Embedded Newlook Control, which can be used in WPF and WinForms applications. The Embedded Newlook Control supports an API which is similar to the superseded Newlook ActiveX Control, in order to make the transition from the ActiveX environment to WPF/WinForms as easy as possible. Refer to the Embedded Newlook Control section of Help for more information.
Printer Connections
Newlook 11.0 does not currently support printer connections. If your solution relies on printer connections please let us know via [email protected]. If there is sufficient demand for this feature we will implement it in a future dot point release of 11.
DDE desktop integration
Newlook 11.0 does not support DDE desktop integration. If your solution relies on DDE desktop integration please let us know via [email protected] as we can provide you with an alternative desktop integration method.
Upgrade process from version 10
Newlook 11.0 license keys
Please note that when upgrading to Newlook 11, all products in the Newlook Suite will require new license keys. Please contact your reseller or account manager to obtain Newlook 11 license keys. Refer to Loading license keys on your IBM i and Apply a Newlook Server license for more information.
- Install Newlook Developer 11.0.
- Upload version 11.0 Developer license keys to your IBM i and check that Newlook Developer is configured to request a host license. (If you are using a local Developer license then you can skip this step and register a local license instead.)
- Back up your existing solution folder.
- Copy your existing solution folder into C:\ProgramData\Newlook 11.1.
- Open Newlook Developer pointing to your solution and run the compatibility report. Specify the relevant target platform, Newlook Smartclient and/or Newlook Server, to identify and resolve any items in your solution that may be deprecated, obsolete or not yet implemented in this version.
Note
In previous versions of Newlook, sample image files were installed under the folder ProgramData\Newlook n.n\Samples\Images. This folder is no longer installed from Newlook 11.0 onwards. If you suspect that your solution uses any of these images, use the Missing Files category in the compatibility report to find any references to these files and then either copy the Samples\Images folder from a previous version into C:\ProgramData\Newlook 11.1 or update the controls in your solution to use a different image.
- Review your forms by opening the Host Forms collection or Added Forms collection window, sizing the coverflow image panel and arrowing down through the forms in your solution.
- Test your solution in the runtime client.
Running an older version and newlook 11.0 side by side
A good way to test your solution in Newlook 11.0 is to run your existing version and Newlook 11.0 side by side to compare behavior. As long as the two versions are pointing to two different instances of your solution, then you should be able to run them at the same time.
Additional steps for Newlook Smartclient solutions:
- If your solution uses a Smartframe, you will need to either configure a Newlook 11 template (recommended) or convert your existing template so it is compatible with Newlook 11.*
- Create a looksoftware.SmartFrame.exe desktop shortcut and configure it to point to your solution and Smartframe template.
- Create a looksoftware.Client.exe desktop shortcut and configure it to point to your solution.
- Familiarize yourself with the new deployment process and create Newlook 11 deployment packages for your application.
- Perform a test deployment and test your application fully.
Additional steps for Newlook Server solutions:
- Install Newlook Server 11.0.
- Apply a Newlook Server unlock key
- Copy your Newlook Server solution folder into <your server install path>\newlookserver11.1\Solutions.
- Copy the
lookserver.configfile from your previous server install folder into <your server install path>\newlookserver11.1. - Test your application fully.
See Also
Smartframe | Embedded Newlook Control | Converting Smartframe to Newlook 11 | Customizing Smartframe templates | Compatibility report | Deprecated and obsolete items
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