IDEA: Create your own Tool Tips

[brett]

Often I am required to remind a client how to do a certian task in some software, they only use the software once every few months so forget the operation.
The steps are usually fairly simple, but it would be great if I could install my own custom made Tooltip prompts.

I played with Autohotkey a little, and got this to work, but as a over age learner, I am sure it could be better.(script available if required)

The basic format I had was to have a small 3 button GUI bottom right of screen, 'Prev,Hide,Next'

The txt file was similar to
x, y, text
200,150,Enter your name here....
454,190,Now press the button that says 'OK'
454,190,Drop down the arrow and select 'Blue'
600,290,Press the 'Connect' Button
etc

pressing 'next' button reads the line in text file and displays the appropriate tooltip on the screen at the x-y location.

Being tooltips, the user should be able to still input all of there commands, whilst your own custom made prompts help them each step.
I had to edit the text file seperate from the script, but this was not a problem, just neater if the it were self contained.

The uses for your own tooltips would be endless, and it can work with any application.
I have a few extra wishes to add, but maybe later.

thanks
 dB

PS. I am sure some of you here have a relative that is always bugging you on 'how do I do this again'. Just think, with 'ToolTipPrompt.exe' you could solve this. 

[mouser]

you know this is a brilliant idea - and maybe it could be expanded a bit.

basically you are saying - a way for 3rd party people to write some little interactive help to go with a program, maybe customized for a specific task.  very nice idea.  similar to the cheat sheeter idea that got 75% implemented here on dc but went into hibernation..

[app103]

omg...this would be great!

no more repeating myself over & over doing tech support...just send them the file to match the prob and it will walk them through the solution.

I know a bunch of people working on 'Operation PIE' that would kiss the developer that makes it possible.

We could put the files on the website right into a FAQ page.

Awesome!

[jgpaiva]

Ok... This is not hard to do.
Just let me check one thing:
When you do something like this, the formating has to always be done relative to a window, right?
And don't forget that if the other user doesn't have the window with the same size you originally made it, this won't make much sense.
(imagine you created the tooltips using a restored window, and the user uses a maximized window. In this case, the tooltips would be in a different place)

Ok.. Done.
Here's ToolTipPrompt:
.exe version
.ahk version

Both versions take a command line parameter, with the name of the text file to read.
With the .exe version, all you have to do, is drag and drop the text file into the .exe icon.
Another way to pass the parameters is to run the program, and drag and drop the text file to the gui.

[brett]

Thanks for the positive response.

I searched Google for anything similar to this idea and was dissapointed/suprised that it has not been done before.(or at least I could not find it)

basically you are saying - a way for 3rd party people to write some little interactive help to go with a program, maybe customized for a specific task. 

-mouser (June 05, 2006, 08:11 AM)

Exactly, I could now add a ToolTipPrompt to any of your great Applications, customised to how I would like it worded.

I know a bunch of people working on 'Operation PIE' that would kiss the developer that makes it possible.
We could put the files on the website right into a FAQ page.

-app103 (June 05, 2006, 08:30 AM)

Hmmm, I cant speak for jgpaiva, but a firm handshake will be fine.
and TTP text files could be added to websites, or emailed straight to client, carried on Thumbdrives, easy to edit, etc

When you do something like this, the formating has to always be done relative to a window, right?
And don't forget that if the other user doesn't have the window with the same size you originally made it, this won't make much sense.
(imagine you created the tooltips using a restored window, and the user uses a maximized window. In this case, the tooltips would be in a different place)

-jgpaiva (June 05, 2006, 08:40 AM)

I havent given this much thought as the application it was for was full screen. more thinking.......

thanks to jgpaiva I have been inspired and crossed his script with my bits and pieces and came up with the following.

Notes
- I have coordmode set to Screen because at the time I have the window maximised, and allows me to relocate GUI around.
- I have used a listview to select the ToolTip Files so you could have many short hint files and they are easy to select
- ToolTipPrompt files are Text files with a TTP extension so they are easily identified and found by the listview
- All Tooltip files are to be located in the same directory as the script.
- I am new to this, so if your PC bursts into flames and melts, it was not me, I am not that clever.

next steps
- recognise window name and match to TTP so only displays with correct application.
- ToolTipPrompts that display when mouse is within Zpixels of X,Y
- a TTP editor, with mouse coord display etc

Thanks
dB


Arggghhhh.   I changed the TXT extension to TTP to be clever, but DC wont allow that extention to be attached. so you will have to change the txt file yourself. it should be ToolTipExample.TTP
copy the ToolTipExample text file to the same directory and run exe.
copy and edit example file as many times a needed.

[jgpaiva]

- I am new to this, so if your PC bursts into flames and melts, it was not me, I am not that clever.
lol! good point

-dB (June 06, 2006, 10:01 AM)

- a TTP editor, with mouse coord display etc

-dB (June 06, 2006, 10:01 AM)

EhEh.. You made this post exactly at the same time i send you an e-mail with this done

[ljbirns]

This is the greatest thing since sliced bread!!!!.   I love it. And it is simple enough that even I seem to be able to make it work like a charm.
Donation credits will be on the way.
Lew

[mouser]

i'd love to see an example of this in action - maybe someone could take some screenshots of it in use, or even better maybe josh can make a little screencast movie of it working if someone can send him some example files.

[nudone]

i'd love to see an example of this in action - maybe someone could take some screenshots of it in use, or even better maybe josh can make a little screencast movie of it working if someone can send him some example files.

-mouser (June 06, 2006, 07:30 PM)

that would be nice i have to agree.

[brett]

Have learnt a lot of AHK in the last 24hrs.
Update-
jgpaiva sent me a Tooltipcreator (thanks) and the modified version can be found below. Feedback welcome.

ToolTipCreator


will create a file with the TTP extension in the same directory it is installed.
use the F11 key to capture the mouse position
enter text to appear in ToolTip
Test ToolTip - will display tooltip on screen
Save ToolTipPrompt to file - will append x,y,text to the end of file

You can still modify the X , Y position and test before saving line.
This will create a file that can still be modified in a text editor. But it gives you a good headstart.

ToolTipPrompt

Added
- Blink, a 1 shot blink of tooltip to help locate in busy screens
- Hide & Show,  temporarily hide tooltip and show again
- All, show all tooltips a once. (Up to 20 limit??)

A screenshot of Mouser's 'Process Tamer' configure screen with a ToolTipPrompt instructing to check box.


Suggestions and comments on improvement to code, and the useage of script welcome.

download and save all files in the same directory.

Thanks
db




 

[ljbirns]

I love this priogram. Attached (I hope )are some screenshots as requested

Lew

[brett]

My first useful script  , I'm addicted. (and learning mountains)

TooltipCreator - now with clipboard button



Use the clipboard button when editing a TTP file in a text editor.
Copies x,y,text string to windows clipboard.

Thanks
dB

[ljbirns]

It just gets better and better

Lew

[hitmark]

sounds a bit like that little brother of the wizard...

[brett]

I have just about reached my limit again with AHK,
After a significant breakthrough thanks to jgpaiva, I have got this to where it fullfills my own needs.

New additions

ToolTipCreator
- live display/update of tooltip as creating
- Multi Line tooltips
- Current Screen Res in Titlebar
- Open the TTP file in Notepad for extra editing
- X and Y nudge spinners for precise positioning


ToolTipPrompt
- Icon for exe



What I would appreciate is if anyone would suggest improvements to the AHK code. (email)

Or if there are suggestions to improve the usefullness...post here. (and bugs)

Thanks
dB

sounds a bit like that little brother of the wizard...

-hitmark (June 15, 2006, 08:46 PM)

I am not a wizard or his little brother, and I am sure they are both fine people 
but I do feel a little embarrassed being able to answer my own request 

[app103]

but I do feel a little embarrassed being able to answer my own request 

-dB (June 21, 2006, 07:25 AM)

donate a few credits to yourself and you'll get over it.