Bug in the auto complete functionality

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 51 views

Problem Description

Auto complete functionality in expressions appears to be ordered incorrectly in the dark theme of Construct 3. This issue does not reproduce when the game is not using the dark theme. The problem seems to be specific to the dark theme, making it difficult to identify the root cause.

Steps to Reproduce

To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:

Step 1: Enable Dark Theme

Open Construct 3 and navigate to the project settings.
Select the "Appearance" tab.
Check the box next to "Dark Theme" to enable it.

Step 2: Open an Expression Field

Create a new project or open an existing one.
Add a layout object, such as a sprite or a text object.
Open the object's properties by clicking on the "Properties" button.
In the properties panel, click on the "Expression" field.

Step 3: Type "s" to Trigger Auto Complete

Type the letter "s" in the expression field.
Observe the auto complete list that appears below the field.

Step 4: Resize the Auto Complete List

Resize the auto complete list so that it overlaps a button in the layout.
Observe the z-order of the button and the auto complete list.

Observed Result

When the auto complete list overlaps a button in the layout, the button appears to be in front of the auto complete list. This is the observed result.

Expected Result

The expected result is that the button should be behind the auto complete list. This is the desired behavior.

More Details

This issue started in Construct 3 version r425. It is essential to identify the root cause of this problem and provide a solution to ensure that the auto complete functionality works correctly in the dark theme.

Possible Causes

There could be several reasons why the auto complete list is not being displayed correctly in the dark theme. Some possible causes include:

Incorrect z-order calculation: The z-order calculation for the auto complete list might be incorrect, causing it to appear in front of other objects in the layout.
Theme-specific styling: The dark theme might be applying specific styling that is causing the auto complete list to be displayed incorrectly.
Bug in the auto complete functionality: There might be a bug in the auto complete functionality that is causing it to behave incorrectly in the dark theme.

Solution

To solve this issue, we need to identify the root cause and provide a solution. This might involve updating the z-order calculation for the auto complete list, adjusting the theme-specific styling, or fixing a bug in the auto complete functionality.

Conclusion

The auto complete functionality in expressions appears to be ordered incorrectly in the dark theme of Construct 3. This issue does not reproduce when the game is not using the dark theme. To solve this issue, we need to identify the root cause and provide a solution. This might involve updating the z-order calculation for the auto complete list, adjusting the theme-specific styling, or fixing a bug in the auto complete functionality.

Recommendations

To ensure that the auto complete functionality works correctly in the dark theme, we recommend the following:

Update the z-order calculation: Update the z-order calculation for the auto complete list to ensure that it is displayed correctly in the dark theme.
Adjust theme-specific styling: Adjust the theme-specific styling to ensure that the auto complete list is displayed correctly in the dark theme.
Fix bug in auto complete functionality: Fix any bugs in the auto complete functionality that might be causing it to behave incorrectly in the dark theme.

Q: What is the issue with the auto complete z-order in the dark theme?

A: The issue is that the auto complete list appears to be in front of other objects in the layout, including buttons, when the dark theme is enabled. This is not the expected behavior, and it can make it difficult to use the auto complete functionality.

Q: Why does this issue only occur in the dark theme?

A: This issue only occurs in the dark theme because the theme-specific styling is causing the auto complete list to be displayed incorrectly. The dark theme is applying a different set of styles that are not taking into account the z-order of the auto complete list.

Q: How can I reproduce this issue?

A: To reproduce this issue, follow these steps:

Open Construct 3 and navigate to the project settings.
Select the "Appearance" tab.
Check the box next to "Dark Theme" to enable it.
Create a new project or open an existing one.
Add a layout object, such as a sprite or a text object.
Open the object's properties by clicking on the "Properties" button.
In the properties panel, click on the "Expression" field.
Type the letter "s" in the expression field.
Observe the auto complete list that appears below the field.
Resize the auto complete list so that it overlaps a button in the layout.
Observe the z-order of the button and the auto complete list.

Q: What are the possible causes of this issue?

A: There are several possible causes of this issue, including:

Incorrect z-order calculation: The z-order calculation for the auto complete list might be incorrect, causing it to appear in front of other objects in the layout.
Theme-specific styling: The dark theme might be applying specific styling that is causing the auto complete list to be displayed incorrectly.
Bug in the auto complete functionality: There might be a bug in the auto complete functionality that is causing it to behave incorrectly in the dark theme.

Q: How can I fix this issue?

A: To fix this issue, you can try the following:

Update the z-order calculation: Update the z-order calculation for the auto complete list to ensure that it is displayed correctly in the dark theme.
Adjust theme-specific styling: Adjust the theme-specific styling to ensure that the auto complete list is displayed correctly in the dark theme.
Fix bug in auto complete functionality: Fix any bugs in the auto complete functionality that might be causing it to behave incorrectly in the dark theme.

Q: Is this issue specific to Construct 3?

A: No, this issue is not specific to Construct 3. It can occur in any game development software that uses a dark theme and has auto complete functionality.

Q: Can I get help from the Construct 3 community?

A: Yes, you can get help from the Construct 3 community by posting in the Construct 3 forums or by reaching out to the Construct 3 support team.

Q: What is the expected behavior of the auto complete list in the dark theme?

A: The expected behavior of the auto complete list in the dark theme is that it should be displayed behind other objects in the layout, including buttons. This ensures that the auto complete list does not interfere with the user's ability to interact with other objects in the layout.