isotope/_posts/docs/2011-05-25-extending-isotope.mdown

title	category	layout	related	toc
Extending Isotope	docs	doc	z-etc	{title Custom layout modes} {anchor custom_layout_modes}

Isotope uses a constructor pattern, $.Isotope. To extend Isotope, you need only to add a method to $.Isotope.prototype.

{% highlight javascript %}

$.Isotope.prototype.myMethod = function() { ... };

// or, using jQuery extend utility $.extend( $.Isotope.prototype, { myMethod : function() { ... } });

{% endhighlight %}

Before diving in, try looking over the source to get a better understand of the internal logic behind Isotope.

Custom layout modes

Isotope's layout modes are built around four methods: Reset, Layout, GetContainerSize, and ResizeChanged. These methods are the hooks that allow you to develop your own custom layout mode, without getting your hands dirty dealing with sorting, filtering, or other functionality. These layout mode methods need to be prefixed with an underscore and the name of the layout mode.

{% highlight javascript %}

// adding layout mode methods for 'customMode' $.extend( $.Isotope.prototype, { _customModeReset : function() { ... }, _customModeLayout : function( $elems ) { ... }, _customModeGetContainerSize : function() { ... }, _customModeResizeChanged : function() { ... } });

{% endhighlight %}

See Demo: Category Rows

All of the default layout modes follow this pattern. We'll look at the code behind the fitRows layout mode.

Reset

Each layout mode should have its own set of properties that only it can use and not be affected by other layout modes. These properties can be accessed in the instance as an object whose value matches the layout mode name (i.e. this.fitRows for fitRows).

The Reset layout mode method is called with every reLayout, where Isotope will go through each item element and position it. This method resets layout mode properties.

The fitRows layout mode keeps track of x and y position, as well as the height of the container. These properties are set back to zero in Reset.

{% highlight javascript %}

_fitRowsReset : function() { this.fitRows = { x : 0, y : 0, height : 0 }; },

{% endhighlight %}

Layout

The Layout layout mode method is where items are positioned. Most of your layout logic happens here. This method provides one argument $elems -- a jQuery object with the item elements that need to be positioned.

$elems.each is the principle loop, iterating over each item element and positioning it. Items are positioned with the _pushPosition method (see below). The layout modes properties are

For fitRows, items are placed with the this.fitRows.x and this.fitRows.y values. This position is determined by if the item can fit in the current row, or if a new row needs to be started.

{% highlight javascript %}

_fitRowsLayout : function( $elems ) { var instance = this, containerWidth = this.element.width(), props = this.fitRows;

$elems.each( function() { var $this = $(this), atomW = $this.outerWidth(true), atomH = $this.outerHeight(true);

if ( props.x !== 0 && atomW + props.x > containerWidth ) {
  // if this element cannot fit in the current row
  props.x = 0;
  props.y = props.height;
} 

// position the atom
instance._pushPosition( $this, props.x, props.y );

props.height = Math.max( props.y + atomH, props.height );
props.x += atomW;

}); },

{% endhighlight %}

GetContainerSize

After the script goes through positioning each item, it needs to resize the container. GetContainerSize returns the style for the size of the container.

In fitRows, the height property is returned as the value for height.

{% highlight javascript %}

_fitRowsGetContainerSize : function () { return { height : this.fitRows.height }; },

{% endhighlight %}

ResizeChanged

ResizeChanged is triggered whenever the browser window is resized. Before Isotope adjusts the layout, this method is triggered to determine if the layout has actually changed. The methods return a boolean.

{% highlight javascript %}

_fitRowsResizeChanged : function() { return true; },

{% endhighlight %}

Helper methods

The _pushPosition method is used within a layout mode's Layout method. It takes 3 arguments: the item element currently being positioned, the x position, and the y position.

{% highlight javascript %}

_pushPosition( $item, x, y )

{% endhighlight %}

_getSegments is used within the layout mode's Reset method. It performs several utilities:

• Determines the columnWidth for the layout mode (rowHeight for horizontal layout modes). This is either passed in as an option (i.e. masonry { columnWidth: 90 }), or the width of the first item element. This property is then set for the layout mode, i.e. this.masonry.columnWidth.
• Calculates the number of number of columns (or rows, if horizontal) given the size of the container. This property is then set for the layout mode, i.e. this.masonry.cols.

{% highlight javascript %}

_getSegments( isHorizontal )

// for example _cellsByRowReset : function() { this.cellsByRow = { index : 0 }; // get this.cellsByRow.columnWidth this._getSegments(); // get this.cellsByRow.rowHeight this._getSegments(true); },

{% endhighlight %}

Similarly, _checkIfSegmentsChanged is used within ResizeChanged. It returns a boolean indicating whether or not the number of columns or rows has changed since the window has been resized.

{% highlight javascript %}

_checkIfSegmentsChanged( isHorizontal )

// for example _masonryResizeChanged : function() { return this._checkIfSegmentsChanged(); },

{% endhighlight %}