Pause app but still use a menu?

[Shawn]

Okay, I have a menu pop up when the user presses the Esc key. Now, I can set the game to pause upon pressing the Esc key, but then that pauses everything including the menu itself since it is a part of the game.

I can toggle a flag if the menu is visible to pause everything, but I'd have to go and check for that flag for every action in the frame.

Is there a good way to do this?

Possible solutions:

- Use a subapp? I don't know if that would work or not, I haven't really used subapps much.

- Have all the groups of events except the menu events deactivate if the flag is on, so I don't actually have to add that condition to everything.

Edit - I should note that the menu is made out of custom graphics, as I don't want windows form controls in my game, so using a dialog popup with windows controls for the menu isn't an option.

[Stephen]

The subapp option is probably the easiest way to go, I use it all the time. Depends really on how your game is setup.

stephen1980

[nivram]

Shawn I think you should use a sub-application. You can use your custom graphics and menu within the sub-application. This would a lot easier and more sane, IMO. You would not have to worry about deactivating groups and etc. Set your sub-application as pop up and modal.

Marv

[Shawn]

Shawn I think you should use a sub-application. You can use your custom graphics and menu within the sub-application. This would a lot easier and more sane, IMO. You would not have to worry about deactivating groups and etc. Set your sub-application as pop up and modal.

Marv

Okay I was thinking this was probably the best way to go, but I wanted some input before I started working on it.

Thanks guys!

[DavidN]

Here's the ISO standard subapp-as-pause-menu thread: http://www.clickteam.com/epicenter/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=119981

[nivram]

Shawn, I also have a pause screen sub-application example on my website. It is configured for the Space key, but could easily be adapted for any key you want.

Marv

[Shawn]

Thanks Marv and David. This made things so insanely easy I can't believe I've never used it before. But then, I've never really did much with custom menus and the like. Awesome!

Edit - Also, I have your website bookmarked Marv, but I always forget to check that for examples and I don't remember what all examples you have on there lol. Guess I need to pay more attention to that lol.

[nivram]

That's ok. You should see the stuff I do with my gray matter leakage. You'd be clutching your chest.

Marv

[Stephen]

That's ok. You should see the stuff I do with my gray matter leakage. You'd be clutching your chest.

Marv

LOL

stephen1980