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26

General Software Discussion / Q: Best Prog Lang for Building a Text-Based Flight Simulator?

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on October 12, 2017, 09:30 PM »

Hi,

Been awhile since I have been in the coding environment.  Due to my vision getting worse I am interested in taking my hobby of flight simulation from the GUI to the Command Line.

The program will involve physics, time and an internal 3D "space."  Essentially, the screen would present a list of information, the "pilot" would make a selection then process the choices and present the new information back on the screen.  While this would probably not serve inexperienced sim flyers, it would be usable for experienced pilots both real and simulated.  With the addition of text-to-speech and speech-to-text, I can see someone who knows aviation might enjoy "flying" while driving over a long distance.  I know I would.  Obviously, this might allow sight-challenged people to enjoy some aspects of flight simulation.

Frankly, this is going to be lots of work to start with and will only become more involved as more realism, features and (hopefully) interactive Air Traffic Control.  This is why I would be very appreciative of any comments for the coding language.  Questions are most welcome.

Thanks,
Calvin

27

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 18, 2015, 02:43 PM »

@MilesAhead - Thanks for that heads-up.  It looks like a good resource, but I probably need to learn AHK better so I can ask intelligent questions.

-CodeTRUCKER (September 18, 2015, 02:27 PM)

They have no problem helping newbs to the language.  About the only things that annoy the regulars there are things like saying "it doesn't work" without telling what happens when it doesn't work or "I get errors" without specifying the errors, or refusal to post a test case that shows the problem.

Everyone has a bit of trouble with AHK syntax when starting out since it mixes old and new syntax styles.

But in any case it's up to you. 

-MilesAhead (September 18, 2015, 02:38 PM)

Thanks for that.  I'll keep your words in mind. 
 

28

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 18, 2015, 02:27 PM »

@MilesAhead - Thanks for that heads-up.  It looks like a good resource, but I probably need to learn AHK better so I can ask intelligent questions.

@wraith808 - I appreciate your work on our efforts.  Fortunately, I have a usable workaround with the Desktop Coral/Notezilla/AHK combo, so we can take some time.  Frankly, I have a bit of a gimpy noodle and am somewhat overwhelmed trying to keep the AHK code straight in my mind.  Overload!  I will report back after awhile, hopefully with a solution. 

29

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 16, 2015, 04:12 PM »

http://ahkscript.org...ands/WinGetClass.htm

It looks like it's the active window for that one declaration.  You can use the window title or text to get it also.

-wraith808 (September 16, 2015, 04:00 PM)

Thanks.  I'll work with it and see what I can make happen.  I will report back once I have something figured out.

30

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 16, 2015, 01:51 PM »

Unfortunately, that code will only give the class of the active window which can only be a folder or the Desktop.  I will be researching how to read the class of desired "active" window instead.

@MilesAhead - I might be able to use the existing script if I can make it Always-On-Top.  How can I do that?

31

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 15, 2015, 11:11 PM »

Just uploaded a new version of TextOverlayTool that might solve your problem.  Again, it depends on whether your application is Full Screen, or Full Screen Windowed.  If it's full screen, it would require a lot of low level coding and display via the mechanism it is using to draw, i.e. OpenGL or DirectX.  If it's fullscreen windowed, this should work.

-wraith808 (September 15, 2015, 08:58 PM)

Not working yet, but is the ahk_class, "TextOverlayToolView" or something else?  The "TextOverlayToolView" as ahk_class does not work.

32

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 15, 2015, 10:27 PM »

Just uploaded a new version of TextOverlayTool that might solve your problem.  Again, it depends on whether your application is Full Screen, or Full Screen Windowed.  If it's full screen, it would require a lot of low level coding and display via the mechanism it is using to draw, i.e. OpenGL or DirectX.  If it's fullscreen windowed, this should work.

-wraith808 (September 15, 2015, 08:58 PM)

I mentioned above I cannot use Full Screen.  I can only use windowed mode, so you're safe there.  I'll give it a test and report back.  Thanks.

33

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 15, 2015, 08:10 PM »

FloatingWords has been my goto StickyNote thing. but it's definitely more intrusive than you want.
This is a great idea and may solve my problem of needing a constant reminder of Keys and Commands while playing a game. Thanks!

-wyrwolf (September 15, 2015, 06:26 PM)

wyrwolf, you may want to take a look at this... Run two instances of desktop coral?.

34

DesktopCoral / Re: Usefullness

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 15, 2015, 08:05 PM »

...
i knew there was a reason i couldn't find it in the dictionary...
yes it should be Corral.
_________
I thought you'd named it Coral because it formed a barrier like a coral reef. Who knew?

-longrun (April 17, 2005, 11:47 PM)

Coral is also a beautiful and stable entity which lives under the surface.   

35

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 15, 2015, 07:58 PM »

Good call, April!
Thanks.

-CodeTRUCKER (September 15, 2015, 07:22 PM)

So, was that the issue?

-app103 (September 15, 2015, 07:31 PM)

I haven't been able to test extensively, but the testing I have done has not deleted my checklist/note yet.  Besides, it makes sense.  I have been hitting the "X" thinking it was a "Close" button like you surmised.  I am glad you pointed me to it.  Also, with your explanation I have been able to identify the "random" behavior.  What was happening has been my random choice to open Notezilla (and therefore the checklist note) versus letting the automation handle it.  I have been unwittingly deleting the checklist.  The good news is Notezilla does not have this "bug."  I thought my report was strange given the stability and popularity of the app.

Obviously, I haven't read the manual yet, but will do so as I need to discover the yet unknown capabilities.  My apologies to Conceptworld and y'all for the inconvenience of a "false positive."

36

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 15, 2015, 07:22 PM »

Good call, April!
Thanks.

37

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 15, 2015, 01:36 PM »

FYI - Notezilla just opened and no longer had my checklist.  It deleted it again. 
Maybe I am doing something wrong to trigger this behavior, but I don't know what it would be. 
I will work with the Conceptworld support from this point forward.

@Gautam - Email sent.

38

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 15, 2015, 01:26 PM »

...
Is your flight simulator running in windowed full screen?  If it's not, I'm not sure that I'll be able to get on top of that... you might look at borderless gaming to see if you can get it windowed with the same effect that you want.

https://github.com/C...sa/Borderless-Gaming

https://steamcommuni.../535151589899658778/

I have a couple of games that can go fullscreen rather than windowed full screen.  I'll check with that.

-wraith808 (September 15, 2015, 10:01 AM)

Enter a new wrinkle...
I cannot get my flightsim to go fullscreen.  It just continues to flash on and off.  I thought it might have been in a tug-of-war with Desktop Coral since it would take up all screen real estate, but it flashes even when Desktop Coral is not running.  This is squarely in my court as I wouldn't expect y'all to troubleshoot my flightsim installation nor my PC.  Unfortunately, this means I cannot run my flightsim in fullscreen.  I have to run it in either a max or normal window.  The good news is Desktop Coral and my flightsim (in windowed mode) do play nicely together which allows TextOverlayTool to reside at bottom of my screen under the flightsim window just like Notezilla did when it was working. 

However, I have not been able to get the AHK script to trap the DOWNARROW with...
...ahk_class TextOverlayToolView
that was stated previously or what WindowSpy defined...
...ahk_class HwndWrapper[TextOverlayTool.exe;;18b747ee-4167-4956-a02a-3c39195647fb]

Could there be a different class definition?

39

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 15, 2015, 01:12 PM »

Hello @CodeTrucker, please do email us at [email protected] if you encountered any issues with Notezilla. We will be happy to help you.

Regards,
Gautam Jain

-conceptworld (September 15, 2015, 04:19 AM)

Hello Gautam,

Thank you for the offer.  I will be in contact soon once I can establish a more controlled environment on my PC.  I have had a number of programs running alongside Notezilla.

40

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 14, 2015, 11:54 PM »

TextFileOverlay has been updated.  The same link from above should work to get it, or http://bit.ly/TextOverlayTool

I tested it with your text file, and it worked fine.

Let me know if there are any other problems!

-wraith808 (September 14, 2015, 10:09 PM)

Hi wraith808,

It works well with Desktop Corral, but without it the "Always on Top" is not working AFAICT.  At least it will not remain on top of the flight simulator window.

If you want to add some things to your app you could add these features...

• The ability to change font color (or tell me where I can find the setting).
• The ability to change the font size.  I use 12, 14 and 16 in my other programs I use.
• The ability to hide the titlebar
• Perhaps move the settings/options menu to a right-click.
• Add more transparency levels.

That's my wishlist so far, but feel free to include/exclude whatever you like.

Thanks.

41

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 14, 2015, 09:01 PM »

FYI - It looks like I may have spoke too soon... Notezilla has taken to deleting my checklist in random fashion.  Everything was working until this evening when I went to open the checklist it was gone!  This happened before.  Perhaps it has something to do with the other programs, but I can't keep recreating the checklist.  Seems like it would keep the file intact, but it didn't.  It just deleted it.  Not sure where to go at this point?  Sad, really.  It was working so perfect.  I will probably try again and see what may be the culprit.

42

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 14, 2015, 02:27 PM »

...
Remove attachthumb from your post.  It's trying to attach it as an image, and failing.

-wraith808 (September 14, 2015, 01:47 PM)

Done.  See above.

43

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 14, 2015, 01:18 PM »

Can you send me the text file?  It does not do that for me - I did test that.

-wraith808 (September 13, 2015, 09:55 PM)

Here is the file I used...

44

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 13, 2015, 09:47 PM »

Thanks to all you fine people I have enjoyed a day of flying by the checklist.  Checklists are handy for making sure one doesn't set down on a runway with the landing gear still in the belly of the airplane.  I'm not mentioning any names, but I am personally aware of a sim pilot doing an unintentional "belly" landing more than once when attempting to fly without following a checklist.    

@wraith808 - I will have to spend more time working with the OverlayTool.  One thing which will need to be looked at is it opens text files with all carriage returns removed resulting in one large block of text.

@MilesAhead - I have only been able to make the AHK script work with Notepad and Notezilla, so far.  I am not sure whether the script is compiled or not.  All I have figured out is to reload the script once I get everything.  Regardless, your script works well trapping the trigger key.  I have programmed a button on my flight stick to send "DOWNARROW" keystroke which effectually moves the checklist down one line per my request.  Thank you.

@App103 - Thanks for the nod toward Notezilla for my present need.  I will look forward to learning more as time goes on.

@mouser - Thanks for creating the "Desktop Coral."  It works quite intuitively which is a good thing.

@TaoPhoenix - Thanks for the perspective.  I suspected it would take something deeper.  Fortunately, AHK filled that requirement.

dr_andus - Thanks for the heads-up on "Desktop Coral."  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a handle on Samurize.  Maybe I will if I read up on it on the site when I get a chance.  In the meantime, be prepared for a salvo of questions.   


Here is a summary of how I have been using the various parts to provide a very usable solution so far...

• "Desktop Coral" - mouser's creation did allow a place at the bottom of my screen real estate where I was able to place the Notezilla window.  I really liked "Desktop Coral's" ability to let me handle other things, like editing another text file, email and Firefox without getting in the way.
• "Notezilla" - Using app103's suggestion had the capability of being border-less, reduced vertically to display only one line at a time, setting the background transparent or black and setting the font to red or green, depending if it was a day or night flight.  It performed quite gracefully.

Thanks again to everyone.  Your efforts have allowed me to add a very important utility to my flight simulation experience.  I will pass this on to all my fellow simpilots.  I could not have done it without you. 

One last note to pass on... 

When I first came to DonationCoder.com I was fairly stout and healthy man of 50-ish.  I was also actively taking flight lessons to get my real-world pilot's license.  Since that time my health has almost reduced me to an invalid which has so far prevented me from returning to my OTR truck and achieving my pilot credentials, but I live in hope.  Thanks to the wonder of consumer flight simulation technology and my family's generosity in constructing and furnishing me with a "simpit," I am able to participate in almost-flying, or as far as one can with a simulator.  So, you can see why your contributions to getting me one step closer to a "Suspension of Disbelief" (the Holy Grail of flight simulation) has added to the quality of my life. 

Thank you.

45

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 12, 2015, 07:16 PM »

5 screenshots of the same sticky note from Notezilla:
...
This is a black note with white text, with the transparency set to medium (I have this set as the default for all new notes).
...
This is what it looks like when I click the note. The toolbar on top stays hidden unless you click. On the toolbar, there is an option to pin the note to always on top. There is also a roll-up option which you might find handy.

-app103 (September 10, 2015, 10:03 PM)

Thanks April!  I was able to get it to work with Notezilla and I decided for green on black with no transparency for use under the flightsim window.  Works nicely and looks good!  Now all I have to decide is if it is worth thirty bucks.

46

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 12, 2015, 06:20 PM »

@wraith808 - Still standing by for your solution.  After all, I did give you quite a laundry list of specs, eh?

-CodeTRUCKER (September 12, 2015, 03:21 PM)

Still going to do it.  Unfortunately, I'm not Skrommel.   But if everything with my upgrade goes well, it should be done by early in the week.

-wraith808 (September 12, 2015, 06:00 PM)

Thanks.  In the meantime, MilesAhead's script is working well with Notepad, albeit with the window frame and white background.

@MilesAhead - I have the Notepad script working as expected, but I can't get the Stickies working.  Here is my code mod...

Code: Autohotkey [Select]

1. #SingleInstance ignore
2.     #NoEnv
3.     SendMode Input
4.     SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%
5.     return
6.     ; instead of Progman for desktop change to the
7.     ; class for Flight Simulator (use WinSpy to get it)
8.     #IfWinActive ahk_class FS98MAIN
9.     $Down::
10.     ; instead of class for Notepad use the class
11.     ; for Stickies
12.       ControlSend,,{Down},ahk_class ZhornStickyNote
13.     return

Do you see anything wrong?  I copy/pasted the ahk_class from Window Spy.

47

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 12, 2015, 05:26 PM »

...
The snippet I posted uses ControlSend which is the method to send to a window(by leaving the control param blank) without making the target window active. As written you can test it by first clicking the desktop while notepad is running.  Hit the Down arrow and the cursor in notepad will move down even though notepad does not have the focus.

-MilesAhead (September 12, 2015, 05:05 PM)

Thanks for the explanation.  I have to admit, I didn't really understand your code until you explained.  I'll finish setting up AHK, test your script and report back, but you already know it works, eh? 

48

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 12, 2015, 03:21 PM »

Hopefully someone will find a glint of value into this uneducated guess, but I kinda have a small specialty of "chaining" programs together and this almost makes me think you need some three scripts, one of which "knows to do that" and drop you back into whatever the other solutions are doing.

Last I knew, Programs Like Having Focus, so then to elaborate above, you need something deep-leveled that "over-rides Liking Focus" and Do Stuff.

-TaoPhoenix (September 12, 2015, 02:11 PM)

...and that is why I am looking into AHK and any other method to trap a key combo.  My hope is this will let the "trapper" utility catch the combination and not steal focus.  I've never really looked into AHK (or any other of its ilk before), so this we'll see how it goes.   For anyone reading this, feel free to interrupt my efforts with your solution.  I won't mind.   

@wraith808 - Still standing by for your solution.  After all, I did give you quite a laundry list of specs, eh?
 

49

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 12, 2015, 12:00 PM »

Thank you for the suggestions, but the main need is the capability of using a key combo like CTRL-SHFT-DOWNARROW that will still move the cursor (and therefore, the displayed text) down one line at a time even when another window has focus.  I hope this makes sense?

50

General Software Discussion / Re: Looking for White-on-Black or Transparent Menu-Less Text Displayer

« Last post by CodeTRUCKER on September 10, 2015, 09:06 AM »

however... what other features did you want?

-wraith808 (September 10, 2015, 08:13 AM)

Thanks for the interest.  Here are the specs as best as I can describe...

-- Imagine I have flight sim on my monitor in a "Normal" or "Maximized" window.  If the window is maxed then the background of the new app's display would need to be transparent to not cover up what is behind it; otherwise it would need to be black.

-- Would have to be able to open a text file.

-- The window of the new app would need to be border-less (or very thin) and have no visible menu or title bar at top.

-- It needs to be movable anywhere on the screen.

-- It should be stretchable in width to display an entire line of text.

-- Now, I want to open a text file where only one line is displayed and each line is a checklist item.  The app could be larger vertically, but it would need to be able to shrink to show only one line since each checklist item is only one line.

-- Preferably, a black or transparent background with white text.

-- The app should display the text and be able to perform a "line down" with a CTRL-SHIFT-DOWNARROW trigger or some key combo even when the flight sim window has focus.
 
-- It does not need to be able to edit the text.


Let me know if you need further clarification and thanks for trying to give it a whirl.   


PS - I am a day-sleeper right now.  It may be awhile before I will be available.