sub Applications alpha

[blurymind]

Is it possible to make a sub application have an alpha channel? I want to use it as an inventory screen, but I dont like how its background is not transparent.
I also want to use it as a mini game pop up, but again - its just a white window on top of the one of the game.

Also there is not a lot of documentation on how to use sub applications out there. I couldnt find anything in the official help file about them. So I've been doing a lot of trial and error to see what works.

please help

[Gustav]

Sub-Applications can't have any transparency.

The only thing you can adjust in appearance is to change the outer shape with the Window Shape object.

You also can fake a soft border with placing a border around the Sub-Application.

[mojofltr]

I have worked around this in one of my applications by throwing out subapp and using Instance communicator. Then I embedded the 2nd instance application in my original application, extracted, and call it at runtime.

[Sphax]

You can have 3 ways to add alpha to subapps:

1) Windows only: Use the Kernel object to set transparency to the subapp window. You can also add a shadow
No glitch but the whole window will be semi transparent
Good perf

2) Windows only: You can add transparrent areas by using Window Shape object
No glitch but the transparent parts will be 100% transparent
Good perf

3) All runtimes: Check the "Display as a Sprite" option in the subapp properties.
Some objects could get some glitch in this mode. If you only use actives in the subapp, you should noy have any problem. You will also be able to apply shaders on subapp.
Bad perf

[Ryan]

Sphax I just had a look at the Kernel Object DropShadow, it's a nice effect but is there any way to style it? iTunes for instance has a much bigger and more visible drop shadow, whereas Kernal's is subtle and not as noticeable, ideally I'd like to style it like the Windows Vista/7 shadows.

[blurymind]

with no real transparency support what is the point of a sub application? I might as well just make a couple of variables and a few lines of logic to jump to another frame and then go back to the current one.

In case I want the gameplay frame to continue running while one goes to the inventory screen, then I need the player to see whats going on the while he is going through the inventory. To avoid getting attacked while switching items.
But without transparency I guess My option is only to display an ugly square somewhere in the middle of the screen, or cover up the whole gameplay screen with the sub-application frame.

I guess that it is somewhat useful for some things, but this lack of transparency really lets it down where it would be an amazing feature.

Sphax> thank you for the approaches. I will still give them a go

Thanks everyone for the support.

[Gustav]

3) All runtimes: Check the "Display as a Sprite" option in the subapp properties.
Some objects could get some glitch in this mode. If you only use actives in the subapp, you should noy have any problem. You will also be able to apply shaders on subapp.
Bad perf

There is no option for transparency or effects for Sub-Applications.

Can you please provide an example file?


Respective the option "Display as sprite", Yves wrote in a Bugtracker ticket:

The Display As Sprite mode is a very special case. This option was added so that simple sub-applications can be displayed in Direct3D full screen modes (as objects with their own window like sub-apps, buttons, edit boxes, etc are not displayed in D3D full screen modes).

[geothefaust]

You can have 3 ways to add alpha to subapps:

1) Windows only: Use the Kernel object to set transparency to the subapp window. You can also add a shadow
No glitch but the whole window will be semi transparent
Good perf

Where can one get the Kernel Object that works with CF2.5? Thanks!

[blurymind]

subapps are kind of worthless at the moment I guess - especially the 'use as sprite' setting does nothing