TransparentFX: new version release

[DraconPern]

There is now a new version of TransparentFX. This version is now updated to include support for custom skin settings. The API documentation will also be posted soon.

Get TransparentFX v1.3 at http://www.draconpern.com/TransparentFX

-Eric

[FishmanUK]

whoa this is a cool plugin
i have alpha blending on some other apps
ace idea to put it on winamp
nice one

[Scarface2k1]

just tell me when it gets ported to win98 version of wa2 :D

[FishmanUK]

alpha blending is not available in win98 afaik

[Scarface2k1]

and to think i already know about this. :p

[Gonzotek]

*cough* WinPenguins (http://sourceforge.net/projects/winpenguins/) *cough*

Transpaerncy in Win98 *cough* *cough*

*cough* Open Source *hack hack gag* *cough*

[mark e]

WoW!!!! :rolleyes:

[Scarface2k1]

Originally posted by Gonzotek
*cough* WinPenguins (http://sourceforge.net/projects/winpenguins/) *cough*

Transpaerncy in Win98 *cough* *cough*

*cough* Open Source *hack hack gag* *cough*


all i c is this program what show pegwins on the screen. (the distrciption.)

[Gonzotek]

Scarface2k1,
If you install it and check the configs (from the systray), you can set the transparency of the Penguins. That's my point, the program itself is pointless, but it somehow does an alpha blend, w/o too much trouble, in Win98.

Point is, it's open source code. Even if the developers can't use it, because Winamp is closed source, there is nothing preventing them from seeing how it was done and figuring out their own way. And I mainly bring this up because I hate hearing people swear up and down that something *CAN'T* be done, just because they have yet to experience it. I've run the program on a 450Mghz machine, along with a playing Winamp, and a few other apps open, I didn't notice a serious performance hit. All the Win2k and XP supporters believe that GDI+ is the answer, and if it works for them, great. But the installed user base of Win95/98/ME is a lot greater than 2K or XP, so Winamp (IMHO) should be catering to them.

Somewhere in the forums is a message from someone at Nullsoft stating that they plan on implementing alpha blending for the 9X line, but that it wasn't a priority. I'm fine with that, I'd rather have a bugless player than a nice looking, but useless one.

-=Gonzotek=-

-=Gonzotek=-

[SNYder]

The are programs which appear to be using transparent pieces, like Virtua Girl, or the splash screen to Fruity Loops for example. But what they really are is a box in which a screen shot of the screen in the box is taken and then a transparent layer is put over the image. its really not acually transparent to what is actually going on behind the app, or image, it just takes ONE shot and uses it to appear transparent. But if the things behind the app update you will then be able to see where the box is. To make things even better, sometimes the programs will update the screen shot ever second to make it change, kinda, with the background.

sorry if my explanation isnt very good. i tried :)

note: I HAVENT actually downloaded this peguins program to see if this is indeed transparency, which i doubt it is. i was just explaining how OTHER programs make things appear transparent.

[Gonzotek]

Snyder,
They move across the desktop, so they are updating more often than once a sec. Also, I can run AVS in overlay mode, and while they don't blend to the waveforms, they still draw correctly and blend with my desktop icons. I am sure that Winamp could do better if it were written with Winamp in mind.

You should download the program, don't be scared that it's a .5 release, it's never done wrong by me. It's only about 92k.


I also just noted that the penguins won't show up if you have active desktop turned on...so turn it off if you are trying to see them and can't.

I'm just trying to get this point across:
Just because someone has told you something is impossible (in the computer world), it does not mean that it is. It means that person has a closed mind to new ideas.

The program works, it does what I've said it does, what other (supposedly more informed) people have told me can't be done in Win9X. The code that makes it work is available for anyone with the ability to read it to peruse....What more can I say? Unless a Nullsoft programmer that has looked at their code tells me that it's impossible to put the concepts to work in Winamp, I have to believe it's possible, even if it isn't practical. Like I said before, if it doesn't happen, because they have so many other parts of Winamp to build, so be it. That's life. No big deal :)

Sorry if I seemed a little harsh, it wasn't directed at anyone. I've just had a really tough day so far and am not in my best writing mood.
Specifically Snyder and Scarface2k1, you guys are alright by me :)
-=Gonzotek=-

[SNYder]

http://www.snyder.f2s.com/files/penguins.jpg

as you can see in the above picture. this too is just the program using screen shots, very rapidly, and then alpa blending over it.

as you can see, if i move the window out of the way, occasionaly some of the penguinse will continue to alpha blend to an OLD screen shot in parts.

this is not true windows 2000 transparency's. but this is as close as windows 98 will get.

i just want to make sure your aware of the difference of how this transparancy works and how true windows 2000 transparancy's work.

[Scarface2k1]

but could some one get this to work in winamp 2.x for win98?

[SNYder]

i suppose its possible.

but im no coder.

[Scarface2k1]

well in that case...

HEY PP!!! *wink* *wink*

[SNYder]

well PP actually has a transparency plugin for windows 2000 that comes in the 4P pack, so mabey he'd be up for making a experimental Windows 98 transparency plugin :) I'll PM him.

but we need to find another person who can code as good as Peter so we dont have to bother him with all our petty coding requests :D

[Gonzotek]

:) Yes, I'm aware of how 2K/XP does it, I have a server at work running Win2K this year. But like Scarface2k1 said, I want it on 95/98/ME, and if that's as close as we can get it, it is worlds better than the jagged edges that some of the most beautiful WA3 skins have. It doesn't have to be perfect, as long as it doesn't cause crashes, data loss, and the like, let it blend to the wrong windows for a few moments, the skins would still be greatly enhanced. I don't know many users that would upgrade their OS just to get a pretty Winamp (of course, I would :rolleyes: ).

And I didn't realize that trans plugin was PP's, it's on that Win2k server and I love it!
-=Gonzotek=-

[SNYder]

Originally posted by Gonzotek
:) Yes, I'm aware of how 2K/XP does it, I have a server at work running Win2K this year. But like Scarface2k1 said, I want it on 95/98/ME, and if that's as close as we can get it, it is worlds better than the jagged edges that some of the most beautiful WA3 skins have. It doesn't have to be perfect, as long as it doesn't cause crashes, data loss, and the like, let it blend to the wrong windows for a few moments, the skins would still be greatly enhanced. I don't know many users that would upgrade their OS just to get a pretty Winamp (of course, I would :rolleyes: ).most definetly... I'm running Win ME, so any type of anti-aliased on the edges would be awsome for winamp 3.

and for winamp 2, making the whole window transparent, like in PP's windows 2000 plugin, would be awsome, even if done like in the penguins thing, in Win ME and 98.

And I didn't realize that trans plugin was PP's, it's on that Win2k server and I love it!
yeah... PP rocks. :) of course, I have Win ME, so I havent been able to try his, or anyones, transparency plug-in. but everything else he makes rocks. :p

[peter]

I don't think it's possible to do the same under win9x/me. Of course, even old win95 can do 'transparency' effect (see background when shutdown window is active), but it is done by making every second pixel black (take a screenshot and zoom it in), but there's no way to make Winamp do the same (even if somebody mad did it, it would be too slow and messy to be usable).

[SNYder]

PP... i know about the 'every other pixel' technique, but that not what we were talking about at all.

Download the penguins app. Every pixel is transparent.

[peter]

Of course, somebody evil might make Windoze think that his window is transparent and alpha-blend with what's behind it. Slow and ugly too. Would require WHOLE WINAMP GUI DRAWING CODE to be rewritten. Can't be done via plugin. Enough ?

[Scarface2k1]

know any one we can bother... er. i mean, ask to do this?

[SNYder]

Originally posted by Scarface2k1
know any one we can bother... er. i mean, ask to do this? i think his point is, this ain't gonna happen :p