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/*!
\page qtwebkit-guide-css.html
\title QtWebKit Guide - Level 3 CSS
\chapter Level 3 CSS
This section of the \l{QtWebKit Guide} serves as an introduction to various
Level 3 CSS features supported by QtWebKit:
\list
\o The \l{Media Queries} section discusses a simple client-based technique to
present different interfaces and functionality from a single source of content
to different classes of mobile device.
\o The \l{Selectors} section concentrates on recently introduced syntax elements
that make applying formatting and gathering DOM elements more flexible.
\o The \l{Visual Effects} section surveys numerous formatting properties,
including new color models and advanced WebKit effects.
\o Finally, the \l{Dynamic CSS} section discusses 2D transforms, transitions,
and keyframe animations.
\endlist
This section features links to numerous sample pages that demonstrate how
various CSS3 features may be applied within a mobile interface. For best
results, view these samples with a modern Webkit-based browser such as Apple
Safari or Google Chrome. Resize the window in which the sample appears to
roughly match the dimensions of a touch-screen mobile device.
\section1 Media Queries
CSS \e{media queries} extend \e{media types} with more detailed capabilities.
Media queries offer a simple client-side mechanism to customize interfaces
comprehensively via CSS.
Media queries are especially useful when extending a body of content for
presentation on mobile browsers. Prior to support for this feature, there were
two basic approaches to provisioning mobile web content, both server-based:
\list
\o \e{Mobile-specific domains}. Content providers might provide a separate
access points for default content at \c{www.website.com}, with mobile content
available at \c{m.website.com} or \c{website.mobi}. There might also be an
additional \c{touch.website.com} access point targeted for higher-end
touch-screen browsers.
\o \e{Dynamic Server-based Adaptation}. In this case, there is a single access
point, but the server sends different content, typically depending on the
\e{User-Agent} header included in all browsers' HTTP requests.
This approach may leverage databases of device characteristics such as
\l{WURFL} or \l{DeviceAtlas}.
\endlist
This section describes how to provision CSS entirely on the mobile
client.
\section2 Media Types and Media Queries
If you only want to serve interfaces for desktop browsers and low-end mobile
browsers, specify external CSS files within your HTML's \c{head} region
using media types:
\code
\endcode
The \c{media} attribute specifies different \e{types} of browser: \c{screen}
for large-screen desktop browsers, and \c{handheld} for mobile browsers.
Browsers identifying themselves as \c{handheld} are served the
\c{mobile.css} file, which should specify a dramatically simplified
mobile interface.
A problem arises, however, when the majority of higher-end touch browsers
identify themselves as the \c{screen} media type, to avoid being served
overly simplified content that is beneath their capabilities. The example
above serves a desktop-oriented design to later-generation mobile browsers.
To target a higher-end mobile design to these browsers, you need to specify
additional media \c{queries}:
\code
\endcode
The first two lines specify any \c{screen}-typed browser whose window
is wider or narrower than 480 pixels.
Regions of content that are inappropriate for presentation within
either the touch-based or lower-end mobile design can then be easily
removed within the corresponding CSS files:
\code
.widget, .nested_nav, .sidebar, .video_ad, .related_items {
display: none;
}
\endcode
The following example demonstrates a simple message identifying your class
of browser, which appears dynamically based on CSS that is linked using
media types and media query syntax:
\l{mob_mediaquery}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_mob_mediaquery.png
}
\e{Click on the image to view the example live in a browser or click on the
following links to view the CSS files.}
\l{mq_desktop_css}{(Desktop CSS)}
\l{mq_touch_css}{(Touch-Screen CSS)}
\l{mq_mobile_css}{(Low-end Mobile CSS)}
The following example shows a skeletal interface that appears differently
based on the type of browser viewing it. The image below shows how it
appears when viewed on a touch-based browser, but a desktop browser renders
a more elaborate three-column layout:
\l{mob_layout}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_mob_layout.png
}
\l{mqlayout_desktop_css}{(Desktop CSS)}
\l{mqlayout_touch_css}{(Touch-Screen CSS)}
\l{mqlayout_mobile_css}{(Low-end Mobile CSS)}
When viewed with a desktop browser,
the page displays a typical desktop-style layout:
a main content column surrounded by navigation and sidebar columns,
with banner headers and footers that straddle the top and bottom of
the screen.
When viewed with a touch-based browser,
the sidebar element does not appear.
The main content extends to the full width of the screen,
while header and navigation elements share the top of the screen.
When viewed with other mobile browsers,
even the top of the screen is simplified to replace header information
with a simple icon.
Note that you can also use media queries to customize interfaces for
tablet devices such as the Apple iPad:
\code
\endcode
\section2 In-line Media Queries
While it's generally good practice to keep CSS for different designs within
separate files, you can also consolidate them. The following example
provides a default san-serif font styling for \c{h1} elements, then
different sets of style sheets for three browser categories:
\code
h1 { font-family : Arial, sans-serif }
@media screen {
h1 { color: #00008B; }
}
@media only screen and (max-device-width: 480px) {
h1 { color: #00008B; font-size: medium; }
}
@media handheld {
h1 { font-size: medium; font-weight: bold }
}
\endcode
Consolidating style sheets in this manner may reduce the number of separate
HTTP requests, help web designers to keep track of variations among designs,
and reduce style sheet properties defined redundantly in more than one file.
\section2 Media Queries via JavaScript
Browsers that support media queries also support APIs to test them from
within JavaScript. Browsers based on QtWebKit use the \c{matchMedia} API.
Some other browsers use a slightly different (and older) \c{styleMedia} API,
which itself used to be called the \c{media} API. Each can be called from
the \c{window} object. The following function accounts for all three cases:
\code
function matchesMediaQuery(query) {
if (!!window.matchMedia)
return window.matchMedia(query).matches;
if (!!window.styleMedia && !!window.styleMedia.matchMedium)
return window.styleMedia.matchMedium(query);
if (!!window.media && window.media.matchMedium)
return window.media.matchMedium(query);
return false;
}
\endcode
The \c{query} argument corresponds to the media query string used to
activate the CSS. For example, the following higher-level function tests
whether the browser matches design categories provided simple labels such as
\c{desktop}, \c{touch}, or \c{mobile}:
\code
function isDesign(str) {
var design;
if (matchesMediaQuery('only screen and (min-device-width: 481px)')) {
design = 'desktop';
}
else if (matchesMediaQuery('only screen and (max-device-width: 480px)')) {
design = 'touch';
}
else if (matchesMediaQuery('handheld')) {
design = 'mobile';
}
return str == design;
}
\endcode
You can then use the test whenever there is a need to assign functionality
for a specific design. The following gathers a series of images and assigns
different panel-viewing functions for \c{desktop} and \c{touch} designs,
with no functionality assigned to the lower-end \c{mobile} design:
\code
var imgs = document.querySelectorAll("img.panel");
for ( var i = 0, len = imgs.length ; i < len ; i++ ) {
el = imgs[i];
if ( isDesign("desktop") ) {
imgs[i].addEventListener("mouseover", showHoverPanel);
imgs[i].addEventListener("mouseout", hideHoverPanel);
}
else if ( isDesign("touch") ) {
imgs[i].addEventListener("click", showTouchPanel);
}
}
\endcode
The following example uses this technique to produce a simple message,
dynamically generated by JavaScript,
that corresponds to the message generated by CSS:
\l{mob_condjs}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_mob_condjs.png
}
\l{mob_condjs_css}{(CSS)}
\l{mob_condjs_js}{(JavaScript)}
\section1 Selectors
Level 3 CSS provides many useful new \e{selectors} that make it easier to apply
formatting to page elements. In addition, the \l{Selectors API} makes DOM
elements accessible using the same CSS expressions you use to apply formatting
to them. The following show alternate ways to access elements:
\code
var element = document.getElementById('map');
var element = document.querySelector('#map');
var elements = document.getElementByClassName('active');
var elements = document.querySelectorAll('ul > li.active');
\endcode
This section provides examples of how different kinds of Level 3
selectors might be applied when formatting mobile interfaces.
\section2 Attribute Matching
It is often useful to offer visual hints marking different kinds of link.
Users might want to know the difference between a link to a page on the same
website and one on an external site. Links to non-HTML file types might pose
special challenges to mobile users. Alternately, mobile users might get
special benefit from telephone links.
You can automate this by using the CSS attribute prefix and suffix matching
selectors. The following uses \c{^=} to mark external HTTP links, email,
SMS, and telephone links, by inserting an icon after the text of the link:
\code
a[href^="http://"]:after, a[href^="https://"]:after
{ content : url(icon/external.png); }
a[href^="mailto:"]:after { content : url(icon/email.png); }
a[href^="sms:"]:after { content : url(icon/sms.png); }
a[href^="tel:"]:after { content : url(icon/tel.gif); }
\endcode
The following uses \c{$=} to identify various file types by common suffixes:
\code
a[href$=".doc"]:after { content : url(icon/ms_word.gif) }
a[href$=".ppt"]:after { content : url(icon/powerpoint.gif) }
a[href$=".rss"]:after, a[href$=".xml"]:after
{ content : url(icon/feed.gif) }
a[href$=".pdf"]:after { content : url(icon/pdf.jpg) }
a[href$=".xls"]:after { content : url(icon/excel.jpg) }
\endcode
You can also use \c{*=} to freely match substrings within any attribute
value. The following might distinguish links to a site's blog area based on
how the URL is organized:
\code
a[href*="/blog/"]:after { content : url(icon/blog.jpg )}
\endcode
The following example demonstrates links identified by dynamically generated
icons:
\l{layout_link-fmt}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_layout_link-fmt.png
}
\l{layout_link-fmt_css}{(CSS)}
\section2 Form Input State
The \c{:checked} dynamic class allows you to style radio and checkbox inputs
based on their selection state:
\code
input[type=radio],
input[type=checkbox]
{ text-align : right }
input[type=radio]:checked,
input[type=checkbox]:checked
{ text-align : left }
\endcode
This enables the following mobile-friendly interface, which converts small
radio and check boxes to much more accessible toggle buttons:
\l{form_toggler}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_form_toggler.png
}
\l{form_toggler_css}{(CSS)}
Using the dynamic \c{:checked} CSS class, the \c{text-align} property
toggles from \c{left} to \c{right} depending on whether the \c{input} is
checked or not. Note that to display button text, dynamic classes can be
chained together to form complex expressions:
\c{input[type=radio]:checked:before}.
The example also relies on the \c{-webkit-appearance} property, which allows
you to override the default visual presentation of specialized interface
elements such as radio and checkbox inputs.
The following example provides alternate styling for radio and checkbox
inputs, presenting them as tappable buttons:
\l{form_tapper}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_form_tapper.png
}
\l{form_tapper_css}{(CSS)}
Form elements may also be re-styled based on whether they are \c{:enabled}
or \c{:disabled}. In addition, the \c{:focus} dynamic class allows you to
style text form inputs or other editable content regions that users have
currently selected for editing.
\section2 Navigational Selectors
Elements within a page that are the target of navigation can receive
distinct styling using the \c{:target} dynamic class. The act of navigating
to an element can alter its appearance, or even determine if it is to appear
at all.
The following example relies on anchor navigation to display successive rows
of a table within a mobile interface:
\l{layout_tbl-keyhole}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_layout_tbl-keyhole.png
}
\l{layout_tbl-keyhole_css}{(CSS)}
While the example relies on table-related tags, they are re-styled with
block formatting to confine each row of information within the screen. Each
row features links to other rows, triggering their display. Other links
navigate away from the table, which suppresses its display altogether. This
is the main CSS driving the interface:
\code
.mobile > tbody > tr { display : none }
.mobile > tbody > tr:target { display : block }
\endcode
The same technique may be used to display or dismiss optional interface
elements such as panels, simply by providing navigation links to them within
the page.
\section2 Indirect Sibling Selector
The Level 2 \c{+} selector allows you to style elements that immediately
follow other specified elements. For example, the following refers to a
paragraph that immediately follows a heading at the same level of markup:
\code
h1 + p { font-weight: bold }
\endcode
In contrast, the Level 3 \c{~} indirect sibling selector allows you to style
any subsequent element at the same level within the markup. The following
example styles any element that follows an \c{h2} that is classed
\c{pullquote}:
\code
h2 ~ .pullquote { font-size: 90% }
\endcode
\note Webkit-based browsers do not yet allow you to style
elements dynamically via indirect sibling selectors.
\section2 Positional Selectors
Various dynamic classes allow you to style elements depending on their
position with a series of elements: either elements of the same type, or
other child elements of the same parent. The following example aligns a
series of icons to a grid:
\l{css3_sel-nth}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_sel-nth.png
}
\l{css3_sel-nth_css}{(CSS)}
Columns are specified with the \c{:nth-of-type()} selector, which accepts
numeric expressions as arguments. The following selectors refer to every
fourth \c{img} element, but offset by a specified number:
\code
img { position: absolute }
img:nth-of-type(4n-3) { left: 2% }
img:nth-of-type(4n-2) { left: 27% }
img:nth-of-type(4n-1) { left: 52% }
img:nth-of-type(4n-0) { left: 77% }
\endcode
Alternately, keywords \c{odd} and \c{even} correspond to \c{2n-1} and \c{2n}
expressions. These are useful, for example, when styling table rows with
alternating background colors.
Rows are represented as the number of the element within the series, plus a
fixed number. Each selector redefines the previous selector's upper range
of values:
\code
img:nth-of-type(n) { top: 5% }
img:nth-of-type(n+5) { top: 20% }
img:nth-of-type(n+9) { top: 35% }
img:nth-of-type(n+13) { top: 50% }
img:nth-of-type(n+17) { top: 65% }
img:nth-of-type(n+21) { top: 80% }
\endcode
Level 3 CSS defines the following positional selectors:
\list
\o \c{:first-child}, \c{:last-child}, and \c{:only-child} refer to the first
or last child element within a series, or when it is the only one.
\o \c{:first-of-type}, \c{:last-of-type}, and \c{:only-of-type} refer to the
first or last specified element within a series, or when it is the only one.
\o \c{:nth-first-child()} and \c{:nth-last-child()} refer to the specified
child element positioned from the start or end of the series.
\o \c{:nth-first-of-type()} and \c{:nth-last-of-type()} refer to the
specified element positioned from the start or end of the series.
\o \c{:nth-of-type()} refers to any series of specified elements.
\o \c{:nth-child()} refers to any series of child elements.
\endlist
\section2 Other Selectors
Level 3 CSS specifies several other potentially useful dynamic
classes that can be added to selectors:
\list
\o \c{:empty} refers to an element that contains no child elements,
including text nodes.
\o \c{:root} is a markup-independent way to refer to elements that are
postioned at the root of the document,
in most cases the \c{html} tag.
\o The \c{:not()} dynamic class allows you to narrow a range of
selectors.
This may be more useful when gathering elements via the Selectors API.
For example,
the following JavaScript gathers form inputs,
but not including submit buttons:
\code
var inputs = document.querySelectorAll("input:not([type=submit])");
\endcode
\endlist
\section1 Visual Effects
QtWebKit supports numerous Level 3 CSS visual features. This section briefly
demonstrates how many of these recently available visual features may be used to
refine mobile web designs.
These more advanced CSS3 effects tend to be available only on the latest
generation of mobile browsers. Still, it is safe to use them, even if the design
degrades somewhat for devices that don't support them. When a browser
encounters CSS properties or values it can't interpret, it simply ignores them.
Designers can respond by providing fallback options to allow for \e{graceful
degradation}. For example, the following CSS specifies a plain gray background
in case the browser does not support gradients:
\code
background: #aaaaaa;
background: -webkit-gradient(linear, center top, center bottom,
from(#777777), color-stop(50%,#dddddd), to(#777777) );
\endcode
Note that many of the CSS properties discussed in this section were implemented
relatively recently, and vendors of browser rendering engines (such as WebKit)
may still be in the process of testing and standardizing their behavior. These
property names feature \e{vendor prefixes} such as \c{-webkit-} for WebKit,
\c{-moz-} for Mozilla, and \c{-o-} for Opera.
It may be possible to extend CSS properties to these various browsers by
providing vendor-specific syntax. The following example shows how to extend the
\c{border-image} property to the Opera browser or Mozilla-based Fennec or the
Maemo Browser for Nokia N900. It also shows the property's final name following
the process of standardization:
\code
-webkit-border-image : url(img/border-frame.gif) 10 stretch stretch;
-moz-border-image : url(img/border-frame.gif) 10 stretch stretch;
-o-border-image : url(img/border-frame.gif) 10 stretch stretch;
border-image : url(img/border-frame.gif) 10 stretch stretch;
\endcode
In some cases, there are slight variations in the syntax each vendor expects as
property values.
\section2 Specifying Color and Opacity
Prior to CSS3, there were three options when specifying color values: named
colors, hexadecimal color values, or RGB values. CSS3 provides additional
ways to specify colors:
\list
\o \e{HSL}. Colors defined with the HSL model specify the \e{hue} as a
radial or degree coordinate, then its \e{saturation} and \e{luminence}
as percentages. The following example specifies red and green values:
\code
background: hsl(0 , 100%, 60%);
background: hsl(128, 75% , 33%);
\endcode
\o \e{HSLA}.
Same as HSL,
but specifying an additional decimal \e{alpha} value that
corresponds to opacity.
The following specifies a fully opaque red,
followed by a partial transparency:
\code
background: hsla(0, 100%, 60%, 1.0);
background: hsla(0, 100%, 60%, 0.5);
\endcode
\o \e{RGBA}.
Same as RGB,
but specifying an additional decimal \e{alpha} value that
corresponds to opacity.
The following the same transition from opaque to transparent as shown
above:
\code
background: rgba(100%, 0%, 0%, 1.0);
background: rgba(100%, 0%, 0%, 0.5);
\endcode
\endlist
With the addition of opacity to color definitions, you can now also specify
\c{transparent} as a color name. Note that while RGBA and HSLA options are
now available, you can still use the familiar \c{opacity} property
independently of color definitions.
\section2 Rounded Corners
In addition to removing harsh edges, rounded corners often help distinguish
active items from static background elements. Rounded corners are
implemented using the \c{border-radius} property. The following rounds off
an edge to the same extent that interior elements are offset:
\code
.rounded {
border-radius : 1em;
padding : 1em;
}
\endcode
The following example demonstrates how rounded corners can enhance a mobile
design, by marking the start and end of large regions of content, such as a
list of links:
\l{layout_link-fmt}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_layout_link-fmt.png
}
\l{layout_link-fmt_css}{(CSS)}
The greater the measurement applied to an element's \c{border-radius}, the
more dramatically rounded are its corners. For example, applying a
\c{border-radius} that is half an element's overall dimensions results in a
circle:
\code
.circle {
width : 4em;
height : 4em;
border-radius : 2em;
}
\endcode
You can also set each corner individually, and specify a pair of values to
achieve oval-shaped borders:
\code
border-top-left-radius : 2em/1em;
\endcode
\section2 Border Images
Border images allow you to apply customized marquee effects, as in the
following example:
\l{css3_border-img}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_border-img.png
}
\l{css3_border-img_css}{(CSS)}
In this case, the image stretches to fit an element's dimensions:
\code
-webkit-border-image : url(img/border-frame.gif) 10 stretch stretch;
\endcode
As is true of the \c{border} property, a single numeric argument specifies
the width of the border as a whole, or up to four values to modify the width
of each side.
Any border image you specify substitutes some or all of an element's normal
border. The \c{border-image} and \c{border-corner-image} each collectively
represent four more specific properties.
For \c{border-image}, these properties are:
\list
\o \c{border-top-image}
\o \c{border-right-image}
\o \c{border-bottom-image}
\o \c{border-left-image}
\endlist
For \c{border-corner-image}, these properties are:
\list
\o \c{border-top-left-image}
\o \c{border-top-right-image}
\o \c{border-bottom-right-image}
\o \c{border-bottom-left-image}
\endlist
The \c{border-image} property specifies a single image for all four edge
borders. The \c{border-corner-image} property specifies an image for all
four corner borders. To specify images individually for any of the edge or
corner borders, use any of the eight individual properties.
When specifying any border edge or corner image values:
\list
\o A \c{stretch} value stretches one image to fill the element border area,
as shown in the example above.
\o A \c{repeat} value repeats one image until it fills the element border
area and clips any overflow, for example:
\code
-webkit-border-image : url(img/border-frame.gif) 10 repeat repeat;
\endcode
In this case the first \c{repeat} applies to top and bottom edge borders,
and the second applies to left and right edge borders.
\endlist
\section2 Backgrounds
CSS3 allows you to specify more than one background image at a time.
The following example shows an accordion-style tabbed interface:
\l{css3_backgrounds}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_backgrounds.png
}
\l{css3_backgrounds_css}{(CSS)}
\l{css3_backgrounds_js}{(JavaScript)}
By default, tabs display a single icon image, but when selected feature an
additional gradient background image. The following CSS shows how both icon
and background can receive their own series of specifications, affecting
their offset or whether each image repeats:
\code
background-image : url(img/select.png) , url(img/gradient.jpg);
background-repeat : no-repeat , repeat-x;
background-position : 12px 12px , 0 0;
\endcode
In addition, you may set the \c{background-size} property to \c{contain} to
scale images to the size of the containing element. (Level 2 CSS allowed
only specific measurements or percentages of the image's size.)
\section2 Text Shadow and Stroke
Shadows can be applied to text. As the following example shows, text shadows
may interfere with the legibility of text, and are seldom appropriate unless
they're used for large, sans-serif display headings:
\l{css3_text-shadow}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_text-shadow.png
}
\l{css3_text-shadow_css}{(CSS)}
In addition to the shadow's color, the property accepts two measurements to
represent its offset from the text, while the third specifies the extent to
which the shadow is blurred:
\code
h1,h2,h3,h4 { text-shadow : 0.25em 0.25em 0.25em #aaaaaa; }
\endcode
CSS3 also allows you to apply a different colored fill to characters,
suitable mainly for larger display type or subtle animations:
\l{css3_text-stroke}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_text-stroke.png
}
\l{css3_text-stroke_css}{(CSS)}
In the following CSS, \c{-webkit-text-fill-color} is synonymous with the
standard \c{color} property:
\code
-webkit-text-stroke-color : #000000;
-webkit-text-stroke-width : 1px;
-webkit-text-fill-color : purple;
\endcode
\section2 Text Overflow
Web developers are familiar with the \c{overflow} property, which can be
used to hide content that exceeds an element's dimensions, or else to make
it accessible via scrolling. CSS3 specifies an additional \c{text-overflow}
property that allows you to add ellipses as a suffix to any text that
overflows the element, to indicate the presence of additional text.
The following example shows how the \c{text-overflow} property allows you to
present user-selectable links to expanded regions of text within a page:
\l{css3_text-overflow}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_text-overflow.png
}
\l{css3_text-overflow_css}{(CSS)}
\l{css3_text-overflow_js}{(JavaScript)}
Use the \c{text-overflow} property in conjunction with \c{overflow} and
\c{white-space}:
\code
text-overflow : ellipsis;
overflow : hidden;
white-space : nowrap;
\endcode
For \c{text-overflow} to work, the element's \c{white-space} must be set to
\c{nowrap}, overriding the default \c{normal} value. This prevents words
from wrapping onto another line as is standard behavior outside the \c{pre}
tag, and forces text past the right edge of the element.
(The element's \c{text-overflow} may specify both \c{ellipsis} and
\c{ellipsis-word}, the latter of which is not as widely implemented.)
\section2 Custom Scrollbars
In general, scrollable elements should be avoided wherever possible within
mobile interfaces. Drag gestures already allow users to scroll windows
vertically, and narrow mobile screens are not suitable for overly wide
content.
In cases where content can only be viewed within a scrolling window,
scrollbars can be reformatted to make them more accessible to mobile users.
The following example presents a block of code within a touch-enabled mobile
interface:
\l{css3_scroll}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_scroll.png
}
\l{css3_scroll_css}{(CSS)}
This interface uses standard scrollbars, but their appearance is enhanced
using low-level \e{pseudo-element} CSS classes that refer to individual
components within the scrollbar.
Simply by invoking the following CSS selector, you disable scrollbars'
default appearance:
\code
pre::-webkit-scrollbar { height : 3em }
\endcode
In this case, the specified property increases the scrollbar's default
\c{height} to make it easier for mobile users to tap it with their fingers.
Each additional scrollbar component must then be explicitly defined,
otherwise it does not render. The following CSS provides custom styling for
the horizontal panning buttons:
\code
::-webkit-scrollbar-button:increment {
background-image : url(img/arrow_right.png);
background-size : contain;
background-repeat : no-repeat;
width : 3em;
height : 3em;
}
::-webkit-scrollbar-button:decrement {
background-image : url(img/arrow_left.png);
background-size : contain;
background-repeat : no-repeat;
width : 3em;
height : 3em;
}
\endcode
In this case, the scrollbar region between the two navigation icons is still
active, but not obviously so since its visual formatting has been
overridden. The simpler set of controls is far more suitable for a mobile
interface.
Webkit provides pseudo-elements for the following components:
\list
\o \c{scrollbar} refers to scrollbar as a whole. Additional dynamic classes
can be appended to specify \c{:vertical} and \c{:horizontal} scrollbars. The
\c{:corner-present} dynamic class activates when both scrollbars are
present.
\o \c{scrollbar-button} refers to incremental navigation buttons. Each
button can be styled separately with \c{:increment} and \c{:decrement}
dynamic classes.
\o \c{scrollbar-thumb} refers to the scrollbar's slider control.
\o \c{scrollbar-track} refers to the active navigation region between
buttons.
\o \c{scrollbar-track-piece} refers to each portion of the track on either
side of the thumb control. These can be styled separately using \c{:start}
and \c{:end} dynamic classes.
\o \c{scrollbar-corner} refers to the corner where scrollbar tracks meet.
The \c{resizer} pseudo-element also refers to this corner, but for resizable
elements such as \c{textarea}.
\o The \c{:double-button} and \c{:single-button} dynamic classes refer to
whether incrementor and decrementors are paired together redundantly at each
end of the track, while \c{:no-button} refers to whether they display at
all.
\endlist
\bold{See Also:}
\l{http://webkit.org/blog/363/styling-scrollbars/}{Surfin' Safari:
Styling Scrollbars}
\section2 Gradients
Gradients provide a graduated shading effect that can add subtle texture to
background elements, and can provide buttons a three-dimensional, beveled
appearance. Explicit support for gradients means there's no longer a need to
implement them as repeating background images.
Specify gradients using CSS properties such as the following:
\code
background: #aaaaaa;
background: -webkit-gradient(linear, center top, center bottom,
from(#dddddd), to(#777777) );
\endcode
Note the pair of \c{background} statements. The first specifies a monochrome
fallback color for browsers that do not support gradients.
The function specifies a simple \c{linear} gradient from the top to the
bottom of the element, shifting from a light to a darker gray.
The following example shows how this gradient can be applied to a background
element:
\l{css3_gradientBack}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_gradientBack.png
}
\l{css3_gradientBack_css}{(CSS)}
Gradients cannot be applied to the \c{body} element. Instead, they are here
applied to an element that covers the background.
You can specify more than one gradient for the same element. The following
shifts from a dark to a light gray halfway down the element, then back to
dark:
\code
background: -webkit-gradient(linear, center top, center bottom,
from(#777777), color-stop(50%, #dddddd), to(#777777) );
\endcode
Here is how the additional \c{color-stop} appears when applied to the same
background element:
\l{css3_gradientBackStop}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_gradientBackStop.png
}
\l{css3_gradientBackStop_css}{(CSS)}
Gradients can also provide a textured, three-dimensional appearance for
buttons. In the following example, the gradient is inverted and darkened
when each button is pressed:
\l{css3_gradientButton}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_gradientButton.png
}
\l{css3_gradientButton_css}{(CSS)}
In addition to linear gradients, CSS3 also specifies \bold{radial} gradients
that emanate from a single point. The following example demonstrates a
colorful radial gradient used to mark where users touch the screen:
\l{css3_grad-radial}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_grad-radial.png
}
\l{css3_grad-radial_css}{(CSS)}
\l{css3_grad-radial_js}{(JavaScript)}
The syntax is slightly different than for linear gradients. The first two
comma-separated arguments after the \c{radial} statement specify the
coordinates of the inner circle, and its radius. The next two arguments
specify the coordinates and radius of the outer circle:
\code
background: -webkit-gradient(radial, 90 120, 5, 100 130, 48,
from(#777777), color-stop(50%, #dddddd), to(#777777) );
\endcode
The use of \c{from}, \c{to} values and \c{color-stop} in radial gradients
are the same as for linear gradients.
\section2 Reflections
Reflections offer a mirror-like effect which, in the following example, adds
a sense of weight to headings and images:
\l{css3_reflect}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_reflect.png
}
\l{css3_reflect_css}{(CSS)}
The property's syntax specifies the edge of the element at which to reflect,
the offset, and an overlay color. In this case, the color is a gradient,
which causes the reflection to gradually fade:
\code
-webkit-box-reflect : below -0.25em -webkit-gradient(linear, center
top, center bottom, from(transparent), color-stop(0.25,
transparent), to(black));
\endcode
\section2 Masks
Masks offer a way to modify an image by overlaying either another image, or
a gradient. The following example shows a series of thumbnail images that
appear faded at their bottom edge until selected:
\l{css3_mask-grad}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_mask-grad.png
}
\l{css3_mask-grad_css}{(CSS)}
\l{css3_mask-grad_js}{(JavaScript)}
The gradient's opacity shifts from \c 1 to \c 0, an effect that translates
to the image:
\code
-webkit-mask-box-image : -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left
bottom, from(rgba(0, 0, 0, 1)), to(rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)));
\endcode
The following example demonstrates an image used as a mask to frame another
image:
\l{css3_mask-img}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_mask-img.png
}
\l{css3_mask-img_css}{(CSS)}
Separately, the component images look like these:
\inlineimage webkit-guide/mask0.png
\inlineimage webkit-guide/mask1.png
The syntax is the same for border images, and allows you to stretch one
image over the other:
\code
-webkit-mask-box-image : url(img/mask.png) 5% stretch;
\endcode
\section1 Dynamic CSS
Animations help enhance touch-based mobile interfaces in many ways. They help
ease transitions from one display state to another that might otherwise appear
jarring. They help provide a sense of navigational orientation. They also often
simulate tactile feedback as users' touches result in a tangible visual effect.
Overall, they add a sense of vibrancy that increases users' engagement with the
content on display.
Support by QtWebKit for HTML5 allows you to choose from among several flavors of
web-based animation: Canvas, SVG, and Level 3 CSS. Web developers may also be
familiar with lower-level JavaScript-based animation techniques, which form the
basis of many popular JavaScript libraries such as jQuery and Prototype. This
section focuses on CSS-based animations, since they are more appropriate to
integrate throughout a web design, without the additional overhead JavaScript
libraries require. Like Adobe Flash, SVG and Canvas offer more specialized,
low-level graphics frameworks whose animation features are more appropriate for
generating standalone effects.
This section demonstrates animation techniques by offering a series of examples
that apply to common mobile design tasks. While some of these tasks are
addressed by existing JavaScript frameworks such as jQuery and Prototype, the
examples provided here illustrate some CSS-only alternatives.
\section2 CSS Animation Concepts
Level 3 CSS introduces three distinct concepts that are relevant when
crafting dynamic effects, which are discussed in the following sections:
\list
\o \e{Transforms} offer a series of manipulations to screen elements. By
themselves, transforms present only static visual effects, but they become
especially useful as part of dynamic transitions and animations. Simple
transforms are two-dimensional, with three-dimensional transforms gaining
gradual support.
\o \e{Transitions} entail a graduated shift from one explicit display
state to another. Transitional shifts apply to any CSS property that
specifies numeric or color values.
\o \e{Animations} offer more complex sequences of transitions that can
specify many intermediate display states. Unlike simple transitions,
animations can also be initiated more freely.
\endlist
\section2 2D Transforms
Transforms allow you to freely displace box elements from where they would
ordinarily appear. Several transform functions are available, allowing you
to \e{scale}, \e{rotate}, \e{skew}, or \e{translate} (move) objects.
The \c{translate} function moves an element from its default location, and
accepts \c{x} and \c{y} measurements as arguments. The following moves an
element off the right edge of the screen:
\code
-webkit-transform: translate(120%, 0);
\endcode
Alternately, \c{translateX} and \c{translateY} functions allow you to
specify each axis independently. This moves the element off the top of the
screen:
\code
-webkit-transform: translateX(0.0) translateY(-120%);
\endcode
Scale transforms allow you enlarge or shrink an element, with the scale
expressed as a decimal. By itself, \c{scale} modifies height and width
proportionately, but the alternative \c{scaleX} and \c{scaleY} functions
allow you to constrain scaling to a single axis.
The following animation demonstrates a \c{translate} function, which moves
the element from off the screen, followed by series of \c{scale},
\c{scaleX}, and \c{scaleY} functions:
\l{anim_demo-scale}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_demo-scale.png
}
\l{anim_demo-scale_css}{(CSS)}
By default, transforms originate from the center of the element, but you can
specify any edge using the \c{-webkit-transform-origin} property. The
following reduces an element to 75% of its original size, while keeping it
at its original bottom edge:
\code
-webkit-transform : scale(0.75);
-webkit-transform-origin : bottom;
\endcode
The following example uses this scale transform to shrink icons that are
assigned to in-line links, with icons aligning to the text's baseline:
\l{layout_link-fmt}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_layout_link-fmt.png
}
\l{layout_link-fmt_css}{(CSS)}
The \c{rotate} function accepts degree or radian arguments, with negative
arguments specifying counter-clockwise motion. The following animation
demonstrates two rotations: the first clockwise around the element's center
point, and the second counter-clockwise around the top left corner:
\l{anim_demo-rotate}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_demo-rotate.png
}
\l{anim_demo-rotate_css}{(CSS)}
The \c{skew} function also accepts positive or negative degree arguments,
specifying the extent to which to modify the bottom left corner's 90-degree
angle. The \c{skew} and \c{skewX} functions shift the element horizontally,
but the alternative \c{skewY} function shifts the element vertically. The
following animation demonstrates a \c{skewX} followed by a \c{skewY}:
\l{anim_demo-skew}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_demo-skew.png
}
\l{anim_demo-skew_css}{(CSS)}
In the following example, a variety of transforms make a set of three
navigational tab icons appear to be part of a cube:
\l{anim_tabbedSkew}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_tabbedSkew.png
}
\l{anim_tabbedSkew_css}{(CSS)}
The example also implements the tab icons as internal links that activate
display of content using the \c{:target} dynamic class. See the
\l{Navigational Selectors} section for more information.
Note that transforms can include any combination of the functions described
above:
\code
nav > a:nth-of-type(3) {
background-image : url(img/S_google.jpg);
-webkit-transform : rotate(-60deg) skew(-30deg) translate(1.7em, 0em);
}
\endcode
\section2 Transitions
Transitions allow you to gradually shift from one defined CSS state to
another. Any CSS property expressed as a numeric or color value (including a
color name or hex value) can be transitioned between two style sheets.
Properties such as \c{display} that have discrete sets of named values, such
as the \c{display} property's \c{block} or \c{none} values, cannot be
transitioned. In cases where named values translate internally to numeric
values, such as the \c{border-width} property's \c{thin} and \c{thick}
values, they can be transitioned.
The following example shows a series of transitions from a collapsed icon
state to an expanded panel:
\l{anim_panel}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_panel.png
}
\l{anim_panel_css}{(CSS)}
\l{anim_panel_js}{(JavaScript)}
Each style sheet specifies a different \c{max-width} value, and each
accompanying transition, defined separately for each state, allows the value
to shift over the course of half of a second:
\code
nav.expanded {
max-width : 95%;
-webkit-transition : max-width 0.5s ease-in-out;
}
nav.collapsed {
max-width : 10%;
-webkit-transition : max-width 0.5s ease-in-out;
}
\endcode
That shorthand syntax can be expanded to several different properties:
\code
nav.expanded {
max-width : 95%;
-webkit-transition-property : max-width;
-webkit-transition-duration : 0.5s;
-webkit-transition-timing-function : ease-in-out;
}
nav.collapsed {
max-width : 10%;
-webkit-transition-property : max-width;
-webkit-transition-duration : 0.5s;
-webkit-transition-timing-function : ease-in-out;
}
\endcode
Available transition functions include \c{linear}, \c{ease-in},
\c{ease-out}, \c{ease-in-out} and \c{cubic-bezier}.
Note that the \c{max-width} properties in both style sheets both use
percentages to specify measurements. Transitions may not work properly if
you shift from one unit to another.
The example above specifies an additional set of transitions affecting the
icons nested within the navigation panel:
\code
nav.expanded > .option {
opacity : 1;
-webkit-transform : scale(1.0);
-webkit-transition : all 0.5s linear;
}
nav.collapsed > .option {
opacity : 0;
-webkit-transform : scale(0.0);
-webkit-transition : all 0.5s linear;
}
\endcode
The shifting \c{scale} transform makes icons appear to zoom in to fill the
space, while \c{opacity} makes them fade in. Specifying \c{all} as the
transition property applies to any valid property that differs between the
two states.
These nested transitions execute at the same time as those assigned to the
parent \c{nav} element. The combined effect appears to be a single
transition.
\section2 Transitional Sequences
The prior example showed a single transition, but transitions can also be
run in sequence to form more complex animations. The following example
demonstrates an embedded navigation panel that, when pressed, expands
horizontally, then vertically to reveal numerous navigation options:
\l{anim_accord}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_accord.png
}
\l{anim_accord_css}{(CSS)}
\l{anim_accord_js}{(JavaScript)}
The style sheets specify separate, comma-separated transitions for \c{width}
and \c{height} properties:
\code
#accordion.expanded {
width: 80%;
height: 90%;
-webkit-transition:
width 0.5s ease-in-out 0.0s,
height 0.5s ease-in-out 0.5s
;
}
#accordion.collapsed {
width: 10%;
height: 7%;
-webkit-transition:
height 0.5s ease-in-out 0.0s,
width 0.5s ease-in-out 0.5s
;
}
\endcode
Each transition's additional time measurement specifies a delay. The
long-form syntax may make this clearer:
\code
#accordion.expanded {
width: 80%;
height: 90%;
-webkit-transition-property : width , height;
-webkit-transition-duration : 0.5s , 0.5s;
-webkit-transition-timing-function : ease-in-out , ease-in-out;
-webkit-transition-delay : 0.0s , 0.5s;
}
#accordion.collapsed {
width : 10%;
height : 7%;
-webkit-transition-property : height , width;
-webkit-transition-duration : 0.5s , 0.5s;
-webkit-transition-timing-function : ease-in-out , ease-in-out;
-webkit-transition-delay : 0.0s , 0.5s;
}
\endcode
The shift to the \c{expanded} state involves two transitions, each of which
lasts half a second and relies on the same \c{ease-in-out} function. The
first takes place immediately and affects the \c{width} property. The
second, affecting the \c{height} property, takes place after a delay that
matches the first transition's duration. The reverse transition is much the
same, only the \c{height} property transitions before the \c{width} to
reverse the effect.
In addition to the navigation element's sequence of transitions, nested
accordion-style animations activate when users expand top-level headings.
Subheadings are revealed using a \c{scaleY} transform, which makes them
appear as if they are flipping upwards.
The following example shows a photo gallery interface that uses the same
techniques. (Size the window to emulate a smaller mobile screen.)
\l{anim_gallery}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_gallery.png
}
\l{anim_gallery_css}{(CSS)}
\l{anim_gallery_js}{(JavaScript)}
The main interface uses simple transitions affecting \c{opacity}, along with
\c{scale} and \c{translate} transforms, which combined make queued images
appear dimmer, smaller, and horizontally offset from the main image.
A separate sequence of transitions activates when users tap selected images.
The first transition uses a \c{scaleX} transform to flip the image towards
the center. The second then flips out a panel featuring details on the
photo. When users navigate away to adjacent photos, the panel automatically
flips back to its original state as it is moved to the side.
Another example shows an interface featuring a simple list of items:
\l{anim_skew}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_skew.png
}
\l{anim_skew_css}{(CSS)}
\l{anim_skew_js}{(JavaScript)}
When dismissed, items are wiped off the screen using a \c{skew} transform
that provides the illusion of speed. Remaining items move upwards to fill
the space vacated by items that have been removed.
This example uses the same technique of sequential transitions. The first
transition applies to the combined \c{translate}/\c{skew} transform. The
second, delayed transition modifies the \c{top} property to align remaining
items to a grid.
Note that for items to reposition themselves in this example, a vertical
grid must be explicitly specified. You can only apply transitions between
properties you explicitly define and activate, not between values the
browser assigns internally to automatically position elements relative to
each other.
\section2 Keyframe Animations
The previous section showed how you can chain sequences of transitions to
produce complex effects. Animations also allow you to define many
intermediary interface states, but using a far simpler syntax, and not
assigned to transitions between CSS states.
The following example shows a simple animation of icons that pulse when
selected:
\l{anim_pulse}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_pulse.png
}
\l{anim_pulse_css}{(CSS)}
It uses the following CSS, shown here in both abbreviated and long form:
\code
nav > a:target { -webkit-animation : pulse 1s infinite; }
nav > a:target {
-webkit-animation-name : pulse;
-webkit-animation-duration : 1s;
-webkit-animation-iteration-count : infinite;
}
\endcode
You supply a \c{name} for the animation that corresponds to a
\c{keyframes} rule defined separately within your CSS:
\code
@-webkit-keyframes pulse {
0% { opacity : 1.0 }
50% { opacity : 0.7 }
}
\endcode
Percentages mark new animation states within the course of the animation,
and behave much like CSS selectors. In this case, the animation shifts
between two separate states over the course of a second: opaque and slightly
dimmed. With its \c{iteration-count} set to \c{infinite} rather than a set
number, the animation only stops when the link is no longer selected.
The following example demonstrates a popular mobile design pattern
implemented with CSS. Navigation to nested subheads appears to wipe to the
right, while navigating upwards in the hierarchy appears to wipe to the
left:
\l{anim_slide1}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_anim_slide1.png
}
\l{anim_slide_css}{(CSS)}
It relies on keyframes rules such as the following, which define a simple
start and end state:
\code
@-webkit-keyframes slide_in {
from {
left : 80%;
right : -80%;
}
to {
left : 0em;
right : 0em;
}
}
\endcode
Unlike a transition, the animation is triggered immediately when the page
loads, but only if the target of navigation is an anchor whose ID is
\c{in} or \c{out}. If you navigate to the page itself, no animation
occurs.
The following example uses a keyframe animation to scroll through banner
options at the top of the screen:
\l{css3_multicol}{\inlineimage webkit-guide/scr_css3_multicol.png
}
\l{css3_multicol_css}{(CSS)}
The animation defines a set of rapid shifts alternating with long static
phases. It modifies the left offset of an element that is five times the
width of the window.
\code
@-webkit-keyframes banner_scroll {
0% { left : 0%; }
18% { left : 0%; }
20% { left : -100%; }
38% { left : -100%; }
40% { left : -200%; }
58% { left : -200%; }
60% { left : -300%; }
78% { left : -300%; }
80% { left : -400%; }
95% { left : -400%; }
100% { left : 0%; }
}
\endcode
Finally, the demonstrations of \l{anim_demo-rotate}{rotate},
\l{anim_demo-scale}{scale}, and \l{anim_demo-skew}{skew} 2D transforms that
opened this section all rely on separate keyframe animations to slide in and
manipulate a series of panels. Separate \c{-webkit-animation-delay} settings
for each panel control the sequence of each presentation.
\list
\o \l{QtWebKit Guide} -back to the main page
\endlist
*/
/*!
\example webkit/webkit-guide
\title QtWebKit Guide Files
This is a listing of \l{QtWebKit Guide} code.
\note The links to the HTML5 code is found within the guide.
*/