Switching between software remote and other apps

[John_Paul_128]

Hi,

I want my software remote to switch between theme panels and an application used to control lighting.

I am clear on how to launch apps from within SWRemote, but any ideas how to swap between swremote and an application already running on the pc?

Thanks, John

[Richard Naninck]

Simply start the app and then minimize the remote. That can be automated using script commands, buttons or tasks.

[John_Paul_128]

Thanks Richard.

Any thoughts on how to maximise the screen again by being called by another application? I assume there would be utilities that can be called that can maximise a minimised window?

I tried one called P6Just1.exe, but it doesnt maximise SWRemote into the foreground.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Rgds, John

[Osler]

Also, don't forget about transparent openings in theme panels, allowing programs running in the background to "show through" your theme to the user. See how vcruz777 integrated Meedio Essentials into his theme using this technique in this post:

http://www.cebotics.com/forums/viewtopi ... 1&t=853688

You can use the panel enter and exit to execute the task to start and stop the program of interest.

What is the application you are using to control lighting?

Osler

[John_Paul_128]

Thanks for the idea Osler - i think this will greatly assist me.

The application is C-bus Schedule +.

When it is loaded and you call SWremote, it doesn't come to the front...if that makes sense, therefore it is loaded, full screen, but behind Schedule+.

Using transparencies, how do you keep SWremote as the front/top app?

Can you please elaborate on the suggestion of using the "panel enter and exit to execute the task to start and stop the program of interest"

Cheers

[Richard Naninck]

Using transparencies, how do you keep SWremote as the front/top app?

Can you please elaborate on the suggestion of using the "panel enter and exit to execute the task to start and stop the program of interest"

While right clicking on a theme panel of a running SWRemote, you will find an option "Always on Top".

Just like you can Minimize a remote from script using MinimizeRemote(), you can Restore a remote the same way using RestoreRemote().

From a task this can be done as well. Look below for the window that has these options.

As for the Enter and Exit lists, you can find these options as Tabs from a themepanel property window while in the theme editer. Just right click on a theme panel in the editer and choose Properties and look for the Enter and Exit tabs. You can put commands in these lists that will execute respectively while opening aor closing a theme panel.

Please do a search for the keywords in the very good helpfiles as well since you will probably find most of your answers there and explore even other good stuff to get you going. The help files are stored in the HouseBot/Help/ directory

[Osler]

CouchPotato has created a xAP-to-C-bus gateway that he is using to control his lighting set-up. This would allow you to integrate the C-bus stuff into HB via the xAP plug-in.

http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/C-Bus/xA ... pdate.html

Can you please elaborate on the suggestion of using the "panel enter and exit to execute the task to start and stop the program of interest"

On each theme panel there is an "enter" and "exit" tab in the theme editor that allows you to change property values, execute tasks, etc. when that particular panel becomes active.

Osler

[Richard Naninck]

On each theme panel there is an "enter" and "exit" tab in the theme editor that allows you to change property values, execute tasks, etc. when that particular panel becomes active.

Osler

I wrote just about the same thing in my previous post

[Osler]

I see that now....I was distracted by the pretty picture.

Osler

[John_Paul_128]

Thanks for your help - the transparent screen overaying the application has worked great. Using the same images, you wouldn't even no it was 2 apps.

Cheers, John