Re: SVGT 1.2: <use> and <foreignObject>

Hi Eric,

This email is the official Last Call response to your comment at:

   http://lists.w3.org/Archives/Public/www-svg/2005Dec/0307.html

which is repeated at the bottom of this email.

 

The processing model for svg:use is such that, when multiple svg:use
elements reference the same original element, all of the svg:use
instances reflect the state of the original object. Here is the quote
from the spec (http://www.w3.org/TR/SVGMobile12/struct.html#UseElement):

 

----------------

The deeply-cloned tree, also refered to as the shadow tree, is then kept
in synchronization with the contents of the referenced element, so that
any animation or DOM manipulation occurring on the referenced element
are also applied to the 'use' element's deeply-cloned tree. 

----------------

 

If the referenced element is an svg:foreignObject or contains an
svg:foreignObject as a subelement or within an XBL shadow tree, and the
svg:foreignObject somehow contains interactive elements (e.g., an XForms
UI control or an HTML forms control), then all svg:use instances will
reflect the current interactive state of the referenced element and its
descendant elements. For svg:use, it is *not* possible for two svg:use
instances of the same referenced elements to have different interactive
states (e.g., different text within text fields). Thus, svg:use has
restricted flexibility. The long-term vision to provide more flexibility
is XBL, where it will be possible to achieve re-usable interactive
elements where each instance is allowed to have different interactive
state.

 

Because there is a possibility in some cases that interactive state
might not fall into the category of "DOM manipulation", we have added a
couple of words to the description of the "use" element for more
inclusive wording beyond just animation and DOM manipulation.

 

Please tell us within two weeks if this response is not satisfactory.



Jon Ferraiolo

SVG WG

 

 

---------------------------------

 

From: Eric Seidel <eseidel@apple.com> 

Date: Wed, 28 Dec 2005 15:44:38 -0600

Message-Id: <FD4D268B-D2FE-49A5-BA09-0E6F69251386@apple.com> 

To: www-svg@w3.org 

 

== This message seems to have died somewhere in transit, resending. ==

 

Greetings,

 

I understand that it is not the goal of the SVGT specification to  

cover all possible interactions between SVG and other languages.   

That said, I would still appreciate a comment from the working group  

as to the expected interaction between <use> <foreignObject> and tags  

in other languages (like html) such as forms (<input>, <textarea>,  

etc.) or plugins (<object>, <embed>, etc.)

 

Should for example 2 copies of a plugin be created for a <use> (the  

original, non-rendered version in <defs>, as well as the used  

instance?)  What happens when a user interacts with one used copy?   

Are all other copies expected to update (think of a flash game,  

instantiated multiple times on the page via <use> of a  

<foreignObject> containing an <embed>)?

 

And what about forms? If I type text into one used copy of a form  

(<use xlink:href="url(#myForeignObjectWithForms)" />) are all the  

others expected to update?

 

Thanks,

Eric