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Introduction

  • Drag and drop support within wxPython is a conversation between a "drop source" and a "drop target". The conversation is accomplished by sharing a "data object" which includes certain pieces of metadata (primarily the data types available from the drop source) as well as the actual shared data.

What Objects are Involved

  • Source window -- Interprets an event as the beginning of a new drag-and-drop request. Instantiates a new drop source

    and triggers the drag-and-drop sequence by calling DoDragDrop on the drop source object. Responds to the result code of the drag-and-drop sequence (move/copy/cancel/fail).

  • wxDropSource -- Provides common functionality for drag-and-drop source windows (UI interactions, data object storage)

  • Destination window -- Advertises acceptable data types by

    calling SetDropTarget with a configured drop target object.

  • wxDropTarget -- Responds to various "pseudo-events" during the drag-and-drop process, most importantly the OnData "event" which indicates that an object has been dropped on the associated window.

  • wxDataObject -- Provides storage and metadata relating to the data being transferred during a drag-and-drop operation. May support one of the built-in data types (text, bitmap, file), a single declared data type, or multiple data types. Includes: wxTextDataObject, wxBitmapDataObject, wxFileDataObject, wxDataObjectSimple, wxDataObjectComposite, wxDataObject

Process Overview

  • Create or choose a wxDataObject subclass appropriate to the data being shared

    • Provide OnData method to handle incoming data and update your application with the results of the drag-and-drop operation.

    • If you are not using a built-in data type, choose a type specifier (a unique string used to identify the datatype). Only targets whose type specifiers include one of the current data source specifiers will be eligible for drops.
  • Create a wxPyDropTarget subclass (and instance)

    • Provide an OnData method to handle a drop "event"

      • Call self.GetData() to transfer data to the target's wxDataObject instance

      • Call wxDataObject.GetData() to retrieve the actual shared data

      • Update your application to reflect drag-and-drop operation (in many cases you will need a pointer to the target window within the drop target instance to accomplish this).
    • Instantiate an instance of your wxDataObject class

    • Bind a wxDataObject to the drop target by calling SetDataObject. You will also want to keep a pointer to the wxDataObject in the drop target instance, so that you can call wxDataObject.GetData() within the OnData method.

    • Bind the drop target to the target window using wxWindow.SetDropTarget

  • Handle an event on the source window which signals the start of the drag-and-drop cycle
    • Create a wxDropSource

    • Set the data object of the drop source to another instance of your wxDataObject class

    • Call the drop source DoDragDrop() method to begin the drag-and-drop operation

    • Respond to the result code of the DoDragDrop method as appropriate to your application

wxDataObjects

  • Discuss the various concerns relating to the data object. Python pickling options Multiple formats -- currently only works for source in Python (as far as I can see) Format specifiers, do these need to be discussed? Special Data Types

Code Samples

  • Simple drag-and-drop

Toggle line numbers
   1 # A very simple Drag and Drop Example
   2 # provided with no warranty whatsoever for any purpose, ever
   3 
   4 # A very simple Drag and Drop Example
   5 # provided with no warranty whatsoever for any purpose, ever
   6 
   7 # This code creates a Text Control from which Text can be dragged,
   8 # a Text Control to which Text can be dragged (from the first Text Control or from other applications),
   9 # and a Text Control to which Files can be dragged from outside this application.
  10 # While the later two windows can receive data from outside the application, the first window
  11 # does not appear to be able to provide text to other applications.  Please feel free to fix
  12 # this if you know how, as I think that would be more useful as an example.
  13 
  14 # It is designed to demonstrate the fundamentals of very simple drag-and-drop operations.
  15 
  16 """ This mini-app is designed to demonstrate simple Drag and Drop functioning in wx.Python """
  17 
  18 __author__ = 'David Woods, Wisconsin Center for Education Research <dwoods@wcer.wisc.edu>'
  19 
  20 # Import wx.Python
  21 import wx
  22 
  23 # Declare GUI Constants
  24 MENU_FILE_EXIT = wx.NewId()
  25 DRAG_SOURCE    = wx.NewId()
  26 
  27 # Define Text Drop Target class
  28 class TextDropTarget(wx.TextDropTarget):
  29    """ This object implements Drop Target functionality for Text """
  30    def __init__(self, obj):
  31       """ Initialize the Drop Target, passing in the Object Reference to
  32           indicate what should receive the dropped text """
  33       # Initialize the wx.TextDropTarget Object
  34       wx.TextDropTarget.__init__(self)
  35       # Store the Object Reference for dropped text
  36       self.obj = obj
  37 
  38    def OnDropText(self, x, y, data):
  39       """ Implement Text Drop """
  40       # When text is dropped, write it into the object specified
  41       self.obj.WriteText(data + '\n\n')
  42 
  43 # Define File Drop Target class
  44 class FileDropTarget(wx.FileDropTarget):
  45    """ This object implements Drop Target functionality for Files """
  46    def __init__(self, obj):
  47       """ Initialize the Drop Target, passing in the Object Reference to
  48           indicate what should receive the dropped files """
  49       # Initialize the wxFileDropTarget Object
  50       wx.FileDropTarget.__init__(self)
  51       # Store the Object Reference for dropped files
  52       self.obj = obj
  53 
  54    def OnDropFiles(self, x, y, filenames):
  55       """ Implement File Drop """
  56       # For Demo purposes, this function appends a list of the files dropped at the end of the widget's text
  57       # Move Insertion Point to the end of the widget's text
  58       self.obj.SetInsertionPointEnd()
  59       # append a list of the file names dropped
  60       self.obj.WriteText("%d file(s) dropped at %d, %d:\n" % (len(filenames), x, y))
  61       for file in filenames:
  62          self.obj.WriteText(file + '\n')
  63       self.obj.WriteText('\n')
  64 
  65 
  66 
  67 class MainWindow(wx.Frame):
  68    """ This window displays the GUI Widgets. """
  69    def __init__(self,parent,id,title):
  70        wx.Frame.__init__(self,parent, wx.ID_ANY, title, size = (800,600), style=wx.DEFAULT_FRAME_STYLE|wx.NO_FULL_REPAINT_ON_RESIZE)
  71        self.SetBackgroundColour(wx.WHITE)
  72 
  73        # Menu Bar
  74        # Create a MenuBar
  75        menuBar = wx.MenuBar()
  76        # Build a Menu Object to go into the Menu Bar
  77        menu1 = wx.Menu()
  78        menu1.Append(MENU_FILE_EXIT, "E&xit", "Quit Application")
  79        # Place the Menu Item in the Menu Bar
  80        menuBar.Append(menu1, "&File")
  81        # Place the Menu Bar on the ap
  82        self.SetMenuBar(menuBar)
  83        #Define Events for the Menu Items
  84        wx.EVT_MENU(self, MENU_FILE_EXIT, self.CloseWindow)
  85 
  86        # GUI Widgets
  87        # Define a Text Control from which Text can be dragged for dropping
  88        # Label the control
  89        wx.StaticText(self, -1, "Text Drag Source  (left-click to select, right-click to drag)", (10, 1))
  90        # Create a Text Control
  91        self.text = wx.TextCtrl(self, DRAG_SOURCE, "", pos=(10,15), size=(350,500), style = wx.TE_MULTILINE|wx.HSCROLL)
  92        # Make this control a Text Drop Target
  93        # Create a Text Drop Target object
  94        dt1 = TextDropTarget(self.text)
  95        # Link the Drop Target Object to the Text Control
  96        self.text.SetDropTarget(dt1)
  97        # Put some text in the control as a starting place to have something to copy
  98        for x in range(20):
  99           self.text.WriteText("This is line %d of some text to drag.\n" % x)
 100        # Define Right-Click as start of Drag
 101        wx.EVT_RIGHT_DOWN(self.text, self.OnDragInit)
 102 
 103        # Define a Text Control to recieve Dropped Text
 104        # Label the control
 105        wx.StaticText(self, -1, "Text Drop Target", (370, 1))
 106        # Create a read-only Text Control
 107        self.text2 = wx.TextCtrl(self, -1, "", pos=(370,15), size=(410,235), style = wx.TE_MULTILINE|wx.HSCROLL|wx.TE_READONLY)
 108        # Make this control a Text Drop Target
 109        # Create a Text Drop Target object
 110        dt2 = TextDropTarget(self.text2)
 111        # Link the Drop Target Object to the Text Control
 112        self.text2.SetDropTarget(dt2)
 113 
 114        # Define a Text Control to receive Dropped Files
 115        # Label the control
 116        wx.StaticText(self, -1, "File Drop Target (from off application only)", (370, 261))
 117        # Create a read-only Text Control
 118        self.text3 = wx.TextCtrl(self, -1, "", pos=(370,275), size=(410,235), style = wx.TE_MULTILINE|wx.HSCROLL|wx.TE_READONLY)
 119        # Make this control a File Drop Target
 120        # Create a File Drop Target object
 121        dt3 = FileDropTarget(self.text3)
 122        # Link the Drop Target Object to the Text Control
 123        self.text3.SetDropTarget(dt3)
 124 
 125        # Display the Window
 126        self.Show(True)
 127 
 128 
 129    def CloseWindow(self, event):
 130        """ Close the Window """
 131        self.Close()
 132 
 133    def OnDragInit(self, event):
 134        """ Begin a Drag Operation """
 135        # Create a Text Data Object, which holds the text that is to be dragged
 136        tdo = wx.PyTextDataObject(self.text.GetStringSelection())
 137        # Create a Drop Source Object, which enables the Drag operation
 138        tds = wx.DropSource(self.text)
 139        # Associate the Data to be dragged with the Drop Source Object
 140        tds.SetData(tdo)
 141        # Initiate the Drag Operation
 142        tds.DoDragDrop(True)
 143 
 144 
 145 
 146 class MyApp(wx.App):
 147    """ Define the Drag and Drop Example Application """
 148    def OnInit(self):
 149       """ Initialize the Application """
 150       # Declare the Main Application Window
 151       frame = MainWindow(None, -1, "Drag and Drop Example")
 152       # Show the Application as the top window
 153       self.SetTopWindow(frame)
 154       return True
 155 
 156 
 157 # Declare the Application and start the Main Loop
 158 app = MyApp(0)
 159 app.MainLoop()

- David K. Woods, Wisconsin Center for Education Research, University of Wisconsin, Madison

(If you like this example, there's another, more complex example of Drag and Drop behavior in the TreeControls section.)

  • File/bitmap/text

wxDataObjectComposite

This class is used when you wish to be able to deal with multiple data formats. The sample code should demonstrate this I've left out any processing, and just show you how to "get" the required data.

Toggle line numbers
   1 class YourDropTarget(wx.PyDropTarget):
   2     """Implements drop target functionality to receive files, bitmaps and text"""
   3     def __init__(self):
   4         wx.PyDropTarget.__init__(self)
   5         self.do = wx.DataObjectComposite()  # the dataobject that gets filled with the appropriate data
   6         self.filedo = wx.FileDataObject()
   7         self.textdo = wx.TextDataObject()
   8         self.bmpdo = wx.BitmapDataObject()
   9         self.do.Add(self.filedo)
  10         self.do.Add(self.bmpdo)
  11         self.do.Add(self.textdo)
  12         self.SetDataObject(self.do)
  13 
  14 
  15     def OnData(self, x, y, d):
  16         """
  17         Handles drag/dropping files/text or a bitmap
  18         """
  19         if self.GetData():
  20             df = self.do.GetReceivedFormat().GetType()
  21 
  22             if df in [wx.DF_UNICODETEXT, wx.DF_TEXT]:
  23 
  24                 text = self.textdo.GetText()
  25 
  26             elif df == wx.DF_FILENAME:
  27                 for name in self.filedo.GetFilenames():
  28                     print name
  29 
  30             elif df == wx.DF_BITMAP:
  31                 bmp = self.bmpdo.GetBitmap()
  32 
  33         return d  # you must return this

Accepting Thunderbird drag and drops

Here's an example of how to use wx.DataObjectComposite to accept Thunderbird drag and drops as well as text and filenames.

Toggle line numbers
   1 import wx
   2 
   3 
   4 class DropTarget(wx.DropTarget):
   5     def __init__(self, textCtrl, *args, **kwargs):
   6         super(DropTarget, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
   7         self.textCtrl = textCtrl
   8         self.composite = wx.DataObjectComposite()
   9         self.textDropData = wx.TextDataObject()
  10         self.fileDropData = wx.FileDataObject()
  11         self.thunderbirdDropData = wx.CustomDataObject('text/x-moz-message')
  12         self.composite.Add(self.thunderbirdDropData)
  13         self.composite.Add(self.textDropData)
  14         self.composite.Add(self.fileDropData)
  15         self.SetDataObject(self.composite)
  16 
  17     def OnDrop(self, x, y):
  18         return True
  19 
  20     def OnData(self, x, y, result):
  21         self.GetData()
  22         formatType, formatId = self.GetReceivedFormatAndId()
  23         if formatId == 'text/x-moz-message':
  24             return self.OnThunderbirdDrop()
  25         elif formatType in (wx.DF_TEXT, wx.DF_UNICODETEXT):
  26             return self.OnTextDrop()
  27         elif formatType == wx.DF_FILENAME:
  28             return self.OnFileDrop()
  29 
  30     def GetReceivedFormatAndId(self):
  31         format = self.composite.GetReceivedFormat()
  32         formatType = format.GetType()
  33         try:
  34             formatId = format.GetId() # May throw exception on unknown formats
  35         except:
  36             formatId = None
  37         return formatType, formatId
  38 
  39     def OnThunderbirdDrop(self):
  40         self.textCtrl.AppendText(self.thunderbirdDropData.GetData().decode('utf-16'))
  41         self.textCtrl.AppendText('\n')
  42         return wx.DragCopy
  43 
  44     def OnTextDrop(self):
  45         self.textCtrl.AppendText(self.textDropData.GetText() + '\n')
  46         return wx.DragCopy
  47 
  48     def OnFileDrop(self):
  49         for filename in self.fileDropData.GetFilenames():
  50             self.textCtrl.AppendText(filename + '\n')
  51         return wx.DragCopy
  52 
  53 
  54 class Frame(wx.Frame):
  55     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
  56         super(Frame, self).__init__(*args, **kwargs)
  57         textCtrl = wx.TextCtrl(self, style=wx.TE_MULTILINE)
  58         textCtrl.SetDropTarget(DropTarget(textCtrl))
  59 
  60 
  61 app = wx.App(False)
  62 frame = Frame(None)
  63 frame.Show()
  64 app.MainLoop()

Comments...

I will add a example for dragging items in a wxTreeCtrl and what is more interesting how to drag a branch in a wxTreeCtrl. if added it will be found under ListAndTreeControls.

--René Freund


Files-and-Folders drop target Classes

The following are reusable classes based on a TextCtrl and a ListCtrl, each which receive file and folder names dropped from the filesystem GUI. These classes uses the file drag-and-drop technique shown above. In addition, a "drop data" dictionary is created for each drop event that holds the raw dropFile data processed into more directly useful forms.

To be able to get and process the dropped files lists without altering the base classes a callback-function reference is passed in when instantiating either of the classes. The drop handler, whenever receiving fileDrop data, simply calls the callback function with the drop-data dictionary as the only call parameter. This way the app can define a custom callback function that can use the data uniquely to each instantiated control. Since the drop handler is a class, multiple controls based on these classes may be drop targets with completely separate drop files processing.

When adding files and folders, duplicate filenames and folders are ignored.

The files-drop class based on the ListCtrl (class FilesLstCtlPanel) has the additional capability in which the user can delete line items. (This feature hasn't yet been added to the FilesTxtCtlPanel class.) Another enhancenment is that the message "Drop Files and Folders Here" is displayed as a line item until the first file/folder is dropped. Deleting all the listed dropeed files causes the message to be redisplayed.

DropFiles_PanelClasses_Demo.zip

[ATTACH]

Ray Pasco 2012-05-30


DragAndDrop (last edited 2012-06-05 19:58:29 by pool-71-175-100-238)

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