XML elements This reference is for XML elements of the WoW XML Ui hieracry . These XML elements define game UI elements , and have XML attributes whos values are defined by XML types . This reference covers only the major WoW UI element types , see XML attributes and XML types for the rest . Summary . XML elements are used to define WoW User Interface elements . These elements are defined using FrameXML ' . xml ' files which are loaded by WoW . When a FrameXML file is loaded , it processes the file ' s XML and from it ' s XML elements generates the actual game elements , which can be accessed programatically using the UIObjects in the WoW Lua environment . The root element of the WoW XML hierarcy is the Ui element . See XML UI for a general overview . Reference . Curly braces { } are used to indicate when other inheriting element types maybe substituted . See XML inheritance for an explanation of WoW UI XML inheritance relationships . " Note : Much of the information here is from the WoW Ui . xsd , and is by no means complete . All this information should be updated with patch changes . All non - default attriutes should be added here , with a link to a source and name of element . Note : the " Source " notes have been removed , and can now be found in XML elements history . " LayoutFrames ( Layer Elements ) . FontString . Displays text that can ' t be edited . attributies : elements : Texture . Used for drawing textures in a frame . Is a LayoutFrame type attributies : elements : Frames ( Widgets ) . Frame . A clean window to put any kind of widgets inside . attributies : elements : Button . It ' s just a button you can click with mouse . Common use - executing some scripts when pressed ( show / hide frame , accept quests or trades , accept or cancel changes in options etc . attributies : elements : CheckButton . Click adds or remove check mark . Common use for options of any kind attributies : elements : ColorSelect . Allows you to choose a color . Used rarely for customizing addons appearance attributies : elements : Cooldown . Used for spell and action buttons to show it ' s cooldown state attributies : elements : DressUpModel . Used for checking how some linked item will look on character . attributies : elements : EditBox . Used to type in any kind of text . attributies : elements : GameTooltip . Probably shows up a frame depending what ' s under cursor ( player name , item etc . ) attributies : elements : MessageFrame . A window like a frame , but for storing messages . attributies : elements : Minimap . This is specific element for a radar showing you detailed map with units / resources on it attributies : elements : Model . Real purpose unknown . Probably allows to show up some 3D object inside attributies : elements : PlayerModel . Real purpose unknown . Probably for showing 3D portrait . attributies : elements : ScrollFrame . Window that allows to scroll in up / down to show more info ( As example - quest log ) attributies : elements : ScrollingMessageFrame . Same as scrollframe but for messages only attributies : elements : SimpleHTML . Shows up a window with content organized as in html file . Still only some common tags of html are supported , so it ' s impossible to load html pages inside it . attributies : elements : Slider . A scroll bar for scrolling elements . attributies : elements : StatusBar . Used in casing bar . attributies : elements : TabardModel . Showing up tabard . attributies : elements : TaxiRouteFrame . Probably for showing up fly routes . attributies : elements : WorldFrame . A layout frame type that holds a 3D view of the world . This type is not nomrally very useful for AddOn development , and is used by the system for displaying the world view and related . AddOns should use the UIParent as their topmost parent and not any frames derrived from this type . attributies : elements : UIParent . This is not actually a Frame type , but a named instance of Frame , named " UIParent " . Whats special about this system frame is that every addon you use loaded by default inside it ( if parent attribute not defined ) . Also it ' s important that when you toggle addons visibility to take screenshot this frame becomes hidden , so any of its content not drawn . If you put your upmost addon frame outside of this frame , your addon will be visible always . For example when a user toggles UI visibility , its toggling the visibility of UIParent . To be a good citizen always use UIParent as your topmost parent , which can be done by leaving the parent of your topmost parents blank . Animation Elements . Define animations for the UI animation system . Animation and AnimationGroup have event handlers like Frames . Blue posts ( added 3 . 1 . 0 ) AnimationGroup . Groups animations . Animation . Base type for all animation elements . Animation elements are added to an AnimationGroup , or under Ui . Actual funcitonal animation elements must be one of the derrived types . Can also be defined in Ui as base for other animations . Translation . Animation element type that moves its target . Scale . Animation element type that scales or stretches its target . Rotation . Animation element type that rotates its target . Alpha . Animation element type that changes the alpha of its target . Path . Animation element type that defines a traditional animation path for its target using ControlPoints . Other Ui elements . Include . attributies : Script . The Ui element level Script element , that can be used to run plain text Lua script , or reference a Lua script file to be inlined , at that point during UI load . Is not the same as the script handler XML / Script elements that go in the XML / Scripts lists . payload : attributies : Font . Defines a complete font for use in other elements . attributies : elements :