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Forum Update on Monday, May 27th 2025

Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation

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  • jsulmJ jsulm

    @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

    whilst viewing in designer the form fits perfectly and everything looks great

    That's why I asked what happens if you resize the form in designer? Does everything still fit?

    It would make sense if QtDesigner would use the platform theme by default, but this is something for a change request on Qt bug-tracker.

    SPlattenS Offline
    SPlattenS Offline
    SPlatten
    wrote on last edited by
    #8

    @jsulm, Given the age and maturity of Qt Creator I would expect this to be the default behaviour.

    Kind Regards,
    Sy

    jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • Pl45m4P Pl45m4

      @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

      How can I set-up Qt Creator to match what will be in the final application when running?

      Layouts apply first when you run your app. So, what you see in QtCreator's Design mode may look different from what your app / widgets really look on runtime.

      SPlattenS Offline
      SPlattenS Offline
      SPlatten
      wrote on last edited by
      #9

      @Pl45m4 , why? When I use an WYSIWYG editor I expect the output to be exactly as I design, unless I resize it.

      Kind Regards,
      Sy

      Pl45m4P 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • SPlattenS SPlatten

        @jsulm, Given the age and maturity of Qt Creator I would expect this to be the default behaviour.

        jsulmJ Offline
        jsulmJ Offline
        jsulm
        Lifetime Qt Champion
        wrote on last edited by
        #10

        @SPlatten Since I'm not a QtDesigner developer I can't comment on the reasons for that, you can ask on the Qt mailing list.

        https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

        1 Reply Last reply
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        • Pl45m4P Pl45m4

          @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

          How can I set-up Qt Creator to match what will be in the final application when running?

          Layouts apply first when you run your app. So, what you see in QtCreator's Design mode may look different from what your app / widgets really look on runtime.

          jsulmJ Offline
          jsulmJ Offline
          jsulm
          Lifetime Qt Champion
          wrote on last edited by
          #11

          @Pl45m4 said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

          Layouts apply first when you run your app

          They also take effect in designer (try to resize the form with properly set layouts).

          https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

          Pl45m4P 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • jsulmJ jsulm

            @Pl45m4 said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

            Layouts apply first when you run your app

            They also take effect in designer (try to resize the form with properly set layouts).

            Pl45m4P Offline
            Pl45m4P Offline
            Pl45m4
            wrote on last edited by
            #12

            @jsulm said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

            They also take effect in designer (try to resize the form with properly set layouts).

            But nevertheless the behavior / look is or feels a bit different in QtDesigner (from my experience)


            If debugging is the process of removing software bugs, then programming must be the process of putting them in.

            ~E. W. Dijkstra

            1 Reply Last reply
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            • SPlattenS SPlatten

              @Pl45m4 , why? When I use an WYSIWYG editor I expect the output to be exactly as I design, unless I resize it.

              Pl45m4P Offline
              Pl45m4P Offline
              Pl45m4
              wrote on last edited by
              #13

              @SPlatten

              What layouts do you have here and how are your sizeHints and stretches configured?


              If debugging is the process of removing software bugs, then programming must be the process of putting them in.

              ~E. W. Dijkstra

              SPlattenS 1 Reply Last reply
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              • Pl45m4P Pl45m4

                @SPlatten

                What layouts do you have here and how are your sizeHints and stretches configured?

                SPlattenS Offline
                SPlattenS Offline
                SPlatten
                wrote on last edited by
                #14

                @Pl45m4, the main layout is a QGridLayout, however the controls that I'm having a problem with are not in the layout they children of the centralWidget.

                Kind Regards,
                Sy

                jsulmJ Pl45m4P 2 Replies Last reply
                0
                • SPlattenS SPlatten

                  @Pl45m4, the main layout is a QGridLayout, however the controls that I'm having a problem with are not in the layout they children of the centralWidget.

                  jsulmJ Offline
                  jsulmJ Offline
                  jsulm
                  Lifetime Qt Champion
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #15

                  @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

                  however the controls that I'm having a problem with are not in the layout they children of the centralWidget.

                  That's why I asked (two times) what happens if you resize the form in designer, but you still did not answer...

                  https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                  SPlattenS 1 Reply Last reply
                  1
                  • jsulmJ jsulm

                    @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

                    however the controls that I'm having a problem with are not in the layout they children of the centralWidget.

                    That's why I asked (two times) what happens if you resize the form in designer, but you still did not answer...

                    SPlattenS Offline
                    SPlattenS Offline
                    SPlatten
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #16

                    @jsulm , nothing happens if I resize in the designer.

                    Kind Regards,
                    Sy

                    jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • SPlattenS SPlatten

                      @jsulm , nothing happens if I resize in the designer.

                      jsulmJ Offline
                      jsulmJ Offline
                      jsulm
                      Lifetime Qt Champion
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #17

                      @SPlatten So, this is indeed a problem with layouts (or lack of layouts) and not themes...

                      https://forum.qt.io/topic/113070/qt-code-of-conduct

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      1
                      • SPlattenS SPlatten

                        @Pl45m4, the main layout is a QGridLayout, however the controls that I'm having a problem with are not in the layout they children of the centralWidget.

                        Pl45m4P Offline
                        Pl45m4P Offline
                        Pl45m4
                        wrote on last edited by Pl45m4
                        #18

                        @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

                        are not in the layout they children of the centralWidget.

                        So your "Select Trainee" label is floating around? :)
                        Then you don't have to wonder why other widgets cover it.


                        If debugging is the process of removing software bugs, then programming must be the process of putting them in.

                        ~E. W. Dijkstra

                        SPlattenS 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • Pl45m4P Pl45m4

                          @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

                          are not in the layout they children of the centralWidget.

                          So your "Select Trainee" label is floating around? :)
                          Then you don't have to wonder why other widgets cover it.

                          SPlattenS Offline
                          SPlattenS Offline
                          SPlatten
                          wrote on last edited by SPlatten
                          #19

                          @Pl45m4 , On this form there are four buttons to the left of the label, these are all of a specific size and position, when viewing in designer everything looks great and nothing is wrong.

                          When I launch the application I am not resizing or moving anything, it initial state looks very different from how it did in designer.

                          No other widgets are covering it, the font size and size of the label is different.

                          Kind Regards,
                          Sy

                          Pl45m4P 1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • SPlattenS SPlatten

                            @Pl45m4 , On this form there are four buttons to the left of the label, these are all of a specific size and position, when viewing in designer everything looks great and nothing is wrong.

                            When I launch the application I am not resizing or moving anything, it initial state looks very different from how it did in designer.

                            No other widgets are covering it, the font size and size of the label is different.

                            Pl45m4P Offline
                            Pl45m4P Offline
                            Pl45m4
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #20

                            @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

                            No other widgets are covering it

                            I thought the button on the left is covering your text...

                            the font size and size of the label is different.

                            Because the size of your label is not expanding with its content, because no layout will stretch your label :)
                            You could try to set a minimum size in QtDesigner that fits your content.


                            If debugging is the process of removing software bugs, then programming must be the process of putting them in.

                            ~E. W. Dijkstra

                            SPlattenS 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • Pl45m4P Pl45m4

                              @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

                              No other widgets are covering it

                              I thought the button on the left is covering your text...

                              the font size and size of the label is different.

                              Because the size of your label is not expanding with its content, because no layout will stretch your label :)
                              You could try to set a minimum size in QtDesigner that fits your content.

                              SPlattenS Offline
                              SPlattenS Offline
                              SPlatten
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #21

                              @Pl45m4 , thank you, I've dropped in a Horizontal Layout and added the top row of controls to that, the application is better, although the presentation in designer is still not the same and whilst it's perfect in designer, the application still has a label that isn't displaying all characters.

                              Kind Regards,
                              Sy

                              Pl45m4P 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • SPlattenS SPlatten

                                @Pl45m4 , thank you, I've dropped in a Horizontal Layout and added the top row of controls to that, the application is better, although the presentation in designer is still not the same and whilst it's perfect in designer, the application still has a label that isn't displaying all characters.

                                Pl45m4P Offline
                                Pl45m4P Offline
                                Pl45m4
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #22

                                @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

                                the application still has a label that isn't displaying all characters.

                                Weird. Shouldn't be the case, if done right.


                                If debugging is the process of removing software bugs, then programming must be the process of putting them in.

                                ~E. W. Dijkstra

                                SPlattenS 1 Reply Last reply
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                                • Pl45m4P Pl45m4

                                  @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

                                  the application still has a label that isn't displaying all characters.

                                  Weird. Shouldn't be the case, if done right.

                                  SPlattenS Offline
                                  SPlattenS Offline
                                  SPlatten
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #23

                                  @Pl45m4 , in fact every thing I've tried still results in the label showing everything except the first letter "S".

                                  Kind Regards,
                                  Sy

                                  Pl45m4P 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • SPlattenS SPlatten

                                    @Pl45m4 , in fact every thing I've tried still results in the label showing everything except the first letter "S".

                                    Pl45m4P Offline
                                    Pl45m4P Offline
                                    Pl45m4
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #24

                                    @SPlatten

                                    I believe there's still something wrong. Show your layout please (the layout / widget setup and the result you get)


                                    If debugging is the process of removing software bugs, then programming must be the process of putting them in.

                                    ~E. W. Dijkstra

                                    1 Reply Last reply
                                    1
                                    • SPlattenS SPlatten

                                      This is part of the form whilst editing in Qt Creator:
                                      creator.png

                                      This is the same form when running as application on desktop:
                                      IMG_0355.jpg

                                      In both cases I've screen printed and cropped the area. Why is the final presentation in the compiled application when running on the desktop so different from the view in Qt Creator?

                                      Also notice the controls used in Qt Creator are not quite the same as those when running in the application, note that the rectangles for the buttons and combo are sharp when running in the application and very slightly rounded when running in Qt Creator.

                                      I'm using Qt 4.4.1, Based on Qt 5.9.2 (MSVC 2015, 32 bit).

                                      Thank YouT Offline
                                      Thank YouT Offline
                                      Thank You
                                      wrote on last edited by Thank You
                                      #25

                                      @SPlatten
                                      I think it is layout issue.
                                      In QT Creator You see it
                                      But while compiling it may show some or none of things

                                      Try applying horizontal layout label and QComboBox as discussed by @Pl45m4
                                      Then I am sure It will work
                                      It may not work if the window size is small Try resizing it

                                      Why you can't expect the output from QT Creator
                                      The height and width in QT Creator just for there unless layout is applied to it?
                                      If the design in QT Creator fills the screen properly Then would you expect it fill to all screens in the same behaviour "NO"
                                      So It's specific to that size only So I guess layouts are
                                      EASY
                                      RESPONSIVE
                                      ATTRACTIVE

                                      I hope it helps

                                      Let's make QT free or It will go forever

                                      TRUE AND FALSE <3

                                      SPlattenS 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • Thank YouT Thank You

                                        @SPlatten
                                        I think it is layout issue.
                                        In QT Creator You see it
                                        But while compiling it may show some or none of things

                                        Try applying horizontal layout label and QComboBox as discussed by @Pl45m4
                                        Then I am sure It will work
                                        It may not work if the window size is small Try resizing it

                                        Why you can't expect the output from QT Creator
                                        The height and width in QT Creator just for there unless layout is applied to it?
                                        If the design in QT Creator fills the screen properly Then would you expect it fill to all screens in the same behaviour "NO"
                                        So It's specific to that size only So I guess layouts are
                                        EASY
                                        RESPONSIVE
                                        ATTRACTIVE

                                        I hope it helps

                                        SPlattenS Offline
                                        SPlattenS Offline
                                        SPlatten
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #26

                                        This is now resolved, I redid the main window ui, the top line buttons and widgets are now in a horizontal layout with the main window content in a grid layout. As a WYSIWYG editor Qt Creator is rubbish because the presentation of what you see is not what you get.

                                        Kind Regards,
                                        Sy

                                        jsulmJ 1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • Christian EhrlicherC Offline
                                          Christian EhrlicherC Offline
                                          Christian Ehrlicher
                                          Lifetime Qt Champion
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #27

                                          @SPlatten said in Qt Creator WYSIWYG isn't giving a true representation:

                                          As a WYSIWYG editor Qt Creator is rubbish because the presentation of what you see is not what you get.

                                          I don't see how this should work - first you've styles which slightly modifies the items and then you can set the sizes and others by code - so what do you expect that this should work out?
                                          That's why you have to use layouts - they arrange the widgets the way you want without killing the layout when another style is used or similar.

                                          Qt Online Installer direct download: https://download.qt.io/official_releases/online_installers/
                                          Visit the Qt Academy at https://academy.qt.io/catalog

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