Web Integration
Proto’s integration with the web
This article explains how the Proto application integrates with Proto’s website to provide access to additional custom modules.
Introduction
In addition to accessing the custom modules available in the repository that Proto is connected to, Proto has the ability to access modules stored on the Proto website. Modules can be searched and loaded directly from within Proto. This provides an easy way to access additional functionality in Proto and quickly solve common problems.
Accessing the Online Gallery
The Online Gallery is accessed via the same Open Custom Module window that is used to open custom modules in the repository. This window is opened by selecting Open… from the File menu or clicking the button in the Start Action window that is opened when Proto is first started. Once this window is open, click the Online Gallery tab to view the list of custom modules available on the website. By default, Proto displays the 10 most recent custom modules that have been uploaded to the website in the Component Library area. If your computer is not connected to the internet, Proto will not be able to view and search the Online Gallery.
Application Gallery and Component Library
The Online Gallery has two main areas: the Application Gallery and the Component Library. The Application Gallery contains Proto modules meant to be used as standalone tools in the Viewer. The Component Library contains custom modules meant to be used as utilities and tools in the process of building larger custom modules with Proto. Selecting the “Applications” radio button restricts the modules displayed to those in the Application Gallery. Selecting the “Components” radio button restricts the modules displayed to those in the Component Library. By default “Components” is selected.
Categories
Both the Application Gallery and the Component Library have their modules categorized to make it easier to find an appropriate custom module. The categories can be selected from the Category menu. When a category is selected, only the modules contained in that category will be displayed.
Sorting
The Sort menu allows the list of modules displayed to be sorted by either name or date. By selecting Module Name the modules are ordered alphabetically by name. By selecting Date Updated the modules are ordered reverse chronologically by the time they were last updated.
Searching and Viewing
The Filter field at the top of the Open Custom Module window can be used to limit the custom modules displayed in the same manner as when viewing the repository. By typing keywords in the Filter field and then clicking the Find button, the list of modules is limited to those which match the keywords. If the brief description that is shown next to each module does not offer enough information you can click the View Module link. This will launch a web browser and load the module’s page on the Proto website. The page will have a longer description and a larger screenshot of the module.
Opening and Saving a Module
You select a module by clicking on its screenshot or its name. The module listing will be highlighted to indicate that it is selected. Once a module is selected it can be opened in Proto by clicking the button. The module is downloaded and loaded directly into Proto. The module loads just as if you had opened it from a local source.
Although a module is opened in Proto, it will not be available for reuse unless it is saved to your repository. A module can be saved locally to your repository by selecting Save or Save As… from the File menu in the Builder. This opens the Save As dialog box which allows you to modify the module’s name and description. Clicking the button will save the module to the repository where it will remain available in the future.
Proxy Server Support
Proto can be configured to use a proxy server to connect to the internet. A proxy server acts as a security barrier between an internal network and the internet. It stops computers on the internet from being able to connect to and access information and servers on an internal network. If your organization uses a proxy server, Proto’s web integration features will not work correctly unless it is configured to access this server.
You may need to contact your system administrator to get the address and port of the HTTP proxy server. To configure Proto to use a proxy over a LAN connection:
- In the Tools menu in Proto, select Options….
- Click to select the “Manual proxy configuration” check box.
- In the HTTP field, type the IP address of the HTTP proxy server.
- In the Port field, type the port number that is used by the HTTP proxy server for client connections.
- Click to close the Options dialog box.