Why do boolean custom parameters have two checkboxes?

Scripting
#1

I am wondering what the concept is behind having two checkboxes for boolean custom parameters such as this:

Screenshot 2021-06-05 at 14.57.35

Isn’t that a bit confusing for the user? What is the difference between un-checking the left vs the right checkbox?

When handling this programmatically, is there anything specific I need to consider?

NSNumber * linkMetricsWithFirstMaster = [fontMaster customValueForKey:@"Link Metrics With First Master"];
if ( linkMetricsWithFirstMaster != nil && linkMetricsWithFirstMaster.integerValue == 1 ) {
	// do something
}
else {
	// do something else
}

Is this safe?

#2

The checkbox on the left enables or disabled the parameter while the one on the right enables or disables the value of the parameter. So:

  • left checkbox off: value = default
  • left checkbox on:
    • right checkbox off: value = false
    • right checkbox on: value = true

This is somewhat confusing, but it falls out of the general layout that all rows have, since all rows can be disabled/enabled with the checkbox on the left.

#3

Yes, if the left checkbox is disabled, the parameter is not reported by the Glyphs API for the font/master/instance and thus nil is returned (your first check in the if test).

#4

Thanks!

#5

Oh, it seems the check against nil is not necessary, strictly speaking, as linkMetricsWithFirstMaster.integerValue would return 0. I guess I’ll keep this code anyway as it is more readable.

#6

We have an issue on our list about differentiating between the two UI-wise.

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