Addon Idea: Grid UI for enemy units???

[Aleaa]

something like that

local numChildren = -1
local WorldFrame, UIParent = WorldFrame, UIParent
local CreatedPlates = {}
local handler = CreateFrame("Frame")
local function ScanFrames(...)
	local index2 = 0
	local row = 0
	
	for index = 1, select('#', ...) do
		local frame = select(index, ...)
		local name = frame:GetName()
		
		if(not CreatedPlates[frame] and (name and name:match("NamePlate%d"))) then
			index2=index2+1
			CreatedPlates[frame] = true
		

			frame.OldSetPoint = frame.SetPoint
			frame.SetPoint = function()end
			
			frame:ClearAllPoints()
			frame:OldSetPoint("LEFT", UIPatent, "LEFT", 700 -( 25*row), -200+(25*index2))
			frame:OldSetPoint("RIGHT", UIPatent, "RIGHT", -500 -( 25*row), -200+(25*index2))
			
			if index2 >= 2 then
				row = row + 1
				index2 = 0
			end
		end
	end
end
handler:SetScript("OnUpdate", function(self, elapsed)	
	local count = WorldFrame:GetNumChildren()
	if(count ~= numChildren) then
		numChildren = count
		ScanFrames(WorldFrame:GetChildren())
	end
end)

[semlar]

You're on the right track, but mine actually work in combat.

I posted the whole script on the official forums around a year ago but I think it was probably a little too complicated for most people to understand.

I've since decided that while it is using perfectly legitimate methods, I don't want to release something that could potentially cause blizzard to restrict existing addon functionality and unintentionally stop someone else's addon from working.

[semlar]

You'll have to forgive the rest of us for being skeptical of claims that run contrary to the popular understanding of Blizzard's documented API limitations.

I don't really have much motivation to prove that it's possible, but I'll make an effort to satisfy your curiosity.

The Blizzard API documentation spells out the limitations and it says that it shouldn't be possible.

I'm not really sure what this means, Blizzard doesn't have api documentation, nor do they tell us what might be considered exploitative beyond the normal terms of use.

The only way to know whether they don't approve of something an addon does is to release it and see what they do.

I made a judgment call not to release my addon on the basis that Blizzard will either not approve of it and break existing functionality, or more likely will be indifferent and do nothing, which is the same outcome as not releasing the addon in the first place.

[Znuff]

Remember when people said it couldn't be done?

https://mods.curse.com/addons/wow/itargetingframes

Semlar's idea, Ironi's implementation.

[ComputerNerd]

Remember when people said it couldn't be done?

https://mods.curse.com/addons/wow/itargetingframes

Semlar's idea, Ironi's implementation.

Because blizzard made a very specific change, nameplates having UnitID's.
That is the ONLY reason those addons exist.
Not because someone figured out something they didn't before.

Blizzard would have seen that capability a mile away, and so have addon authors.
I can't see there being any other reason for that change, but to allow just that in a way that is actually intended.

[Samin]

or even a Tidyplates extension that would just take the plates and put them in a organized list somewhere in my screen. that way it dosent get all cluttered with the mobs and the rest of my ui.

Please let me know if you happen to know of something that would do this for me.

Thanks!

That's pretty much what addons like Enemy Grid do. Give them a try. Again, those only work with enemy nameplates, so if you can't see them, they won't appear. Rearranging them in various ways is really all you will get.

[Jaese]

Was it really necessary to necro this?

[Deleted]

Considering this is pretty relevant new information? Yeah, I'd consider this one of the few situations where necroing a thread is appropriate.

[Znuff]

Because blizzard made a very specific change, nameplates having UnitID's.
That is the ONLY reason those addons exist.
Not because someone figured out something they didn't before.

Blizzard would have seen that capability a mile away, and so have addon authors.
I can't see there being any other reason for that change, but to allow just that in a way that is actually intended.

I'll repost the video link, then: https://www.youtube.com/v/tIrSlYh-5ao

That's from WoD.

It was just a hack-ish method, but it worked.

[ComputerNerd]

I'll repost the video link, then: https://www.youtube.com/v/tIrSlYh-5ao

That's from WoD.

It was just a hack-ish method, but it worked.

If that was the intended route, why this significant change which makes it hugely more accessible.
I would argue the lack of widespread use or knowledge is the reason blizzard didn't "fix" it before.
If the content wasn't designed around the use of that, then it might have broken a lot of the intended difficulty of encounters.
As this now comes far more accessible with the nameplate change then it isn't unrealistic to assume blizzard are taking this into account or even see it as a way to overcome certain UI shortcomings in a way that they can't do in an ideal way for everyone.