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Synopsis

shelfButton [-align string] [-annotation string] [-backgroundColor float float float] [-command script] [-commandRepeatable boolean] [-defineTemplate string] [-disabledImage string] [-docTag string] [-doubleClickCommand script] [-dragCallback script] [-dropCallback script] [-enable boolean] [-enableBackground boolean] [-enableCommandRepeat boolean] [-enableKeyboardFocus boolean] [-exists] [-flat boolean] [-flexibleWidthType int] [-flexibleWidthValue int] [-flipX boolean] [-flipY boolean] [-font string] [-fullPathName] [-handleNodeDropCallback script] [-height int] [-highlightColor float float float] [-highlightImage string] [-image string] [-image1 string] [-image2 string] [-image3 string] [-imageOverlayLabel string] [-isObscured] [-label string] [-labelEditingCallback script] [-labelOffset int] [-manage boolean] [-marginHeight uint] [-marginWidth uint] [-menuItem string string] [-menuItemPython int] [-menuItemWithOptionBox string string string] [-noBackground boolean] [-noDefaultPopup] [-numberOfPopupMenus] [-overlayLabelBackColor float float float float] [-overlayLabelColor float float float] [-parent string] [-popupMenuArray] [-preventOverride boolean] [-rotation float] [-scaleIcon] [-selectionImage string] [-sourceType string] [-statusBarMessage string] [-style string] [-useAlpha boolean] [-useTemplate string] [-version string] [-visible boolean] [-visibleChangeCommand script] [-width int] [string]

shelfButton is undoable, queryable, and editable.

This control supports up to 3 icon images and 4 different display styles. The icon image displayed is the one that best fits the current size of the control given its current style.

This command creates an iconTextButton that is designed to be on the shelf. The button contains a command that can be drag'n'dropped.

Return value

stringThe full name of the button.

In query mode, return type is based on queried flag.

Flags

align, annotation, backgroundColor, command, commandRepeatable, defineTemplate, disabledImage, docTag, doubleClickCommand, dragCallback, dropCallback, enable, enableBackground, enableCommandRepeat, enableKeyboardFocus, exists, flat, flexibleWidthType, flexibleWidthValue, flipX, flipY, font, fullPathName, handleNodeDropCallback, height, highlightColor, highlightImage, image, image1, image2, image3, imageOverlayLabel, isObscured, label, labelEditingCallback, labelOffset, manage, marginHeight, marginWidth, menuItem, menuItemPython, menuItemWithOptionBox, noBackground, noDefaultPopup, numberOfPopupMenus, overlayLabelBackColor, overlayLabelColor, parent, popupMenuArray, preventOverride, rotation, scaleIcon, selectionImage, sourceType, statusBarMessage, style, useAlpha, useTemplate, version, visible, visibleChangeCommand, width
Long name (short name) Argument types Properties
-align(-al) string createqueryedit
The label alignment. Alignment values are "left", "right", and "center". By default, the label is aligned "center". Currently only available when -st/style is set to "iconAndTextCentered".
-annotation(-ann) string createqueryedit
Annotate the control with an extra string value.
-backgroundColor(-bgc) float float float createqueryedit
The background color of the control. The arguments correspond to the red, green, and blue color components. Each component ranges in value from 0.0 to 1.0.
When setting backgroundColor, the background is automatically enabled, unless enableBackground is also specified with a false value.
-command(-c) script createqueryedit
Command executed when the control is pressed.
-commandRepeatable(-rpt) boolean createqueryedit
Set if the MEL command specified in the command flag should be repeatable or not. The "g" key, by default, is the shortcut to repeat the last executed command.
-defineTemplate(-dt) string create
Puts the command in a mode where any other flags and arguments are parsed and added to the command template specified in the argument. They will be used as default arguments in any subsequent invocations of the command when templateName is set as the current template.
-disabledImage(-di) string createqueryedit
Image used when the button is disabled. Image size must be the same as the image specified with the i/image flag. This is a Windows only flag.
-docTag(-dtg) string createqueryedit
Add a documentation flag to the control. The documentation flag has a directory structure. (e.g., -dt render/multiLister/createNode/material)
-doubleClickCommand(-dcc) script createqueryedit
Command executed when the control is double clicked.
-dragCallback(-dgc) script createedit
Adds a callback that is called when the middle mouse button is pressed. The MEL version of the callback is of the form:

global proc string[] callbackName(string $dragControl, int $x, int $y, int $mods)

The proc returns a string array that is transferred to the drop site. By convention the first string in the array describes the user settable message type. Controls that are application defined drag sources may ignore the callback. $mods allows testing for the key modifiers CTRL and SHIFT. Possible values are 0 == No modifiers, 1 == SHIFT, 2 == CTRL, 3 == CTRL + SHIFT.

In Python, it is similar, but there are two ways to specify the callback. The recommended way is to pass a Python function object as the argument. In that case, the Python callback should have the form:

def callbackName( dragControl, x, y, modifiers ):

The values of these arguments are the same as those for the MEL version above.

The other way to specify the callback in Python is to specify a string to be executed. In that case, the string will have the values substituted into it via the standard Python format operator. The format values are passed in a dictionary with the keys "dragControl", "x", "y", "modifiers". The "dragControl" value is a string and the other values are integers (eg the callback string could be "print '%(dragControl)s %(x)d %(y)d %(modifiers)d'")

-dropCallback(-dpc) script createedit
Adds a callback that is called when a drag and drop operation is released above the drop site. The MEL version of the callback is of the form:

global proc callbackName(string $dragControl, string $dropControl, string $msgs[], int $x, int $y, int $type)

The proc receives a string array that is transferred from the drag source. The first string in the msgs array describes the user defined message type. Controls that are application defined drop sites may ignore the callback. $type can have values of 1 == Move, 2 == Copy, 3 == Link.

In Python, it is similar, but there are two ways to specify the callback. The recommended way is to pass a Python function object as the argument. In that case, the Python callback should have the form:

def pythonDropTest( dragControl, dropControl, messages, x, y, dragType ):

The values of these arguments are the same as those for the MEL version above.

The other way to specify the callback in Python is to specify a string to be executed. In that case, the string will have the values substituted into it via the standard Python format operator. The format values are passed in a dictionary with the keys "dragControl", "dropControl", "messages", "x", "y", "type". The "dragControl" value is a string and the other values are integers (eg the callback string could be "print '%(dragControl)s %(dropControl)s %(messages)r %(x)d %(y)d %(type)d'")

-enable(-en) boolean createqueryedit
The enable state of the control. By default, this flag is set to true and the control is enabled. Specify false and the control will appear dimmed or greyed-out indicating it is disabled.
-enableBackground(-ebg) boolean createqueryedit
Enables the background color of the control.
-enableCommandRepeat(-ecr) boolean createqueryedit
This flag only affects menu items to which a command can be attached. Specify true and the command may be repeated by executing the command repeatLast. This flag is true by default for all items except for option box items.
-enableKeyboardFocus(-ekf) boolean createqueryedit
If enabled, the user can navigate to the control with the tab key and select values with the keyboard or mouse. This flag would typically be used to turn off focus support from controls that get it by default, like Edit and List controls. If disabled, text in text fields can still be selected with the mouse but cannot be copied (except on Linux when "Middle Click Paste" is enabled).
-exists(-ex) create
Returns whether the specified object exists or not. Other flags are ignored.
-flat(-fla) boolean createqueryedit
Sets whether the control will be a flat button (0 false, 1 true).
-flexibleWidthType(-fwt) int createqueryedit
This flag is used to have the shelf button have a wider or thinner width. The valid values are: Standard = 1, Custom = 2, Automatic = 3. The Standard type will resize, keeping the aspect ratio, to 32x32 pixels. The Automatic type will adjust the button width to make sure wide images are used properly. The Custom type will allow the user to choose the desired width for the icon. Default value is 3.
-flexibleWidthValue(-fwv) int createqueryedit
This flag is only useful when the Custom flexibleWidthType is chosen. The value is a width in pixels.
-flipX(-fx) boolean createqueryedit
Is the image flipped horizontally?
-flipY(-fy) boolean createqueryedit
Is the image flipped vertically?
-font(-fn) string createqueryedit
The font for the text. Valid values are "boldLabelFont", "smallBoldLabelFont", "tinyBoldLabelFont", "plainLabelFont", "smallPlainLabelFont", "obliqueLabelFont", "smallObliqueLabelFont", "fixedWidthFont" and "smallFixedWidthFont".
-fullPathName(-fpn) query
Return the full path name of the widget, which includes all the parents.
-handleNodeDropCallback(-hnd) script createedit
Specify a script callback which is called when a node is dropped on the control. The name of the node being dropped will be passed to the function (python callable) or appended to the end (script) to form the command to be executed.
-height(-h) int createqueryedit
The height of the control. The control will attempt to be this size if it is not overruled by parent layout conditions.
-highlightColor(-hlc) float float float createqueryedit
The highlight color of the control. The arguments correspond to the red, green, and blue color components. Each component ranges in value from 0.0 to 1.0.
-highlightImage(-hi) string createqueryedit
Highlight image displayed while the cursor is over the control. Image size must be the same as the image specified with the -i/image flag. This is a Windows only flag.
-image(-i) string createqueryedit
If you are not providing images with different sizes then you may use this flag for the control's image. If the "iconOnly" style is set, the icon will be scaled to the size of the control.
-image1(-i1) string createqueryedit
First of three possible icons. The icon that best fits the current size of the control will be displayed.
-image2(-i2) string createqueryedit
Second of three possible icons. The icon that best fits the current size of the control will be displayed.
-image3(-i3) string createqueryedit
Third of three possible icons. The icon that best fits the current size of the control will be displayed.
-imageOverlayLabel(-iol) string createqueryedit
A short string, up to 6 characters, representing a label that will be displayed on top of the image.
-isObscured(-io) query
Return whether the control can actually be seen by the user. The control will be obscured if its state is invisible, if it is blocked (entirely or partially) by some other control, if it or a parent layout is unmanaged, or if the control's window is invisible or iconified.
-label(-l) string createqueryedit
The text that appears in the control.
-labelEditingCallback(-lec) script createedit
Specify a callback which is called after the user double clicks the label of the control to give it a new label. The new label string will be passed to the callback.
-labelOffset(-lo) int createqueryedit
The label offset. Default is 0. Currently only available when -st/style is set to "iconAndTextCentered".
-manage(-m) boolean createqueryedit
Manage state of the control. An unmanaged control is not visible, nor does it take up any screen real estate. All controls are created managed by default.
-marginHeight(-mh) uint createqueryedit
The number of pixels above and below the control content. The default value is 1 pixel.
-marginWidth(-mw) uint createqueryedit
The number of pixels on either side of the control content. The default value is 1 pixel.
-menuItem(-mi) string string createeditmultiuse
Creates menu items for this button by passing in arguments for the menu item label and command for each item. These should be passed as strings: "label" "command" for each use of this flag in the command.
-menuItemPython(-mip) int createeditmultiuse
This flag is used to specify that a menu item is in Python. The integer value is the index of the menuItem that is modified by this flag. This is 0 based, so it corresponds to the (index+1)th occurrence of the /-mi/-menuItem flag.
-menuItemWithOptionBox(-mio)
2023
string string string createeditmultiuse
Creates menu items that include an option box. Arguments passed to the flag are "label" "comand" "option box command";
-noBackground(-nbg) boolean createedit
Clear/reset the control's background. Passing true means the background should not be drawn at all, false means the background should be drawn. The state of this flag is inherited by children of this control.
-noDefaultPopup(-ndp) create
Disable the default popup menus.
-numberOfPopupMenus(-npm) query
Return the number of popup menus attached to this control.
-overlayLabelBackColor(-olb) float float float float createqueryedit
The RGBA color of the shadow behind the label defined by imageOverlayLabel. Default is 50% transparent black: 0 0 0 .5
-overlayLabelColor(-olc) float float float createqueryedit
The RGB color of the label defined by imageOverlayLabel. Default is a light grey: .8 .8 .8
-parent(-p) string createquery
The parent layout for this control.
-popupMenuArray(-pma) query
Return the names of all the popup menus attached to this control.
-preventOverride(-po) boolean createqueryedit
If true, this flag prevents overriding the control's attribute via the control's right mouse button menu.
-rotation(-rot) float createqueryedit
The rotation value of the image in radians.
-scaleIcon(-sic) createedit
For "textOnly" and "iconOnly" style, this flag has no effect. For other styles, if the flag is specified, the icon will be scaled to the size of the control.
-selectionImage(-si) string createqueryedit
Image displayed while the control is selected. Image size must be the same as the image specified with the -i/image flag. This is a Windows only flag.
-sourceType(-stp) string createqueryedit
Sets the language type for the command script. Can only be used in conjunction with the c/command or dcc/doubleClickCommand flags. Valid values are "mel" (enabled by default), and "python".
-statusBarMessage(-sbm) string createedit
Extra string to display in the status bar when the mouse is over the control.
-style(-st) string createqueryedit
The draw style of the control. Valid styles are "iconOnly", "textOnly", "iconAndTextHorizontal", "iconAndTextVertical", and "iconAndTextCentered". (Note: "iconAndTextCentered" is only available on Windows). If the "iconOnly" style is set, the icon will be scaled to the size of the control.
-useAlpha(-ua) boolean createqueryedit
Is the image using alpha channel?
-useTemplate(-ut) string create
Forces the command to use a command template other than the current one.
-version(-ver) string createqueryedit
Specify the version that this control feature was introduced. The argument should be given as a string of the version number (e.g. "2013", "2014"). Currently only accepts major version numbers (e.g. 2013 Ext 1, or 2013.5 should be given as "2014").
-visible(-vis) boolean createqueryedit
The visible state of the control. A control is created visible by default. Note that a control's actual appearance is also dependent on the visible state of its parent layout(s).
-visibleChangeCommand(-vcc) script createqueryedit
Command that gets executed when visible state of the control changes.
-width(-w) int createqueryedit
The width of the control. The control will attempt to be this size if it is not overruled by parent layout conditions.

Flag can appear in Create mode of command Flag can appear in Edit mode of command
Flag can appear in Query mode of command Flag can be used more than once in a command.

MEL examples

//    Create a window with a shelf in it.  You can add more items to
//    this shelf by creating more 'shelfButton' objects or by dragging
//    other shelf items to the window.  Similarly, you can delete the
//    shelf items with the 'deleteUI' command or by dragging the items
//    to the trash can located on the main Maya window shelf.
//
string $window = `window -title "shelfButton Example"`;
string $tabs = `tabLayout`;
string $shelf = `shelfLayout`;

//    Create some shelf buttons...
//
//    1.  A button that prints a message to the Command Line.
//
shelfButton -annotation "Print \"Hello\"."
    -image1 "commandButton.png" -command "print \"Hello\\n\"";

//    2.  A button that will create a sphere.
//
shelfButton -annotation "Create a sphere."
    -image1 "sphere.png" -command "sphere";

//    3.  A button that will open the Attribute Editor window.
//
shelfButton -annotation "Show the Attribute Editor."
    -image1 "menuIconWindow.png" -command "openAEWindow";
tabLayout -edit -tabLabel $shelf "Example Shelf" $tabs;

//    4.  A button with a label that will create a cone
//
shelfButton -annotation "Create a cone."
    -image1 "cone.png" -command "cone" -imageOverlayLabel "4th";

//    5.  A button with a label and color that will call undo
//
shelfButton -annotation "Undo last operation."
    -image1 "undo.png" -command "undo" -imageOverlayLabel "undo"
    -overlayLabelColor 1 .25 .25;

//    6.  A button with a label, color and background that will call redo
//
shelfButton -annotation "Redo last operation."
    -image1 "redo.png" -command "redo" -imageOverlayLabel "redo"
    -overlayLabelColor 1 1 .25 -overlayLabelBackColor .15 .9 .1 .4 ;

tabLayout -edit -tabLabel $shelf "Example Shelf" $tabs;

showWindow $window;