[Request] Several objects for shell replacements

[Maciej_J]

Hi!
I'm working again, on shell replacement. I would like to request some extensions, which would make it possible to create full-featured shell replacement - not just an app to minimize or restore windows...

It's why I'am asking you - extension developers - to create two objects:
1. Retrieving icons from windows, with possibility to save them on hard-disk.
2. Displaying system tray - with transparency of course.

As far as I know, first one is simple to achieve (but still, I'm not a programist), second one would require some work, but you could still base on some open-source shell replacements, which are displaying it.

[LB]

I think you got 1 and 2 mixed up in terms of simple and hard.

The Advanced Tray Icon object by Jaffob will do #2 for you.

[Maciej_J]

Oh. You've mixed up something.

It's not about showing my application in tray.
It's about showing tray inside my application.

[Fimbul]

I think I get it. You want to create a shell replacement - like a fake windows - is that correct?

If so, you don't need the second extension. You can custom code that on your own [I'm presuming you have the technical skills to do it, since you're attempting a very hard project].

As for the first, you could, in theory, read which applications are using the tray and rip their icons from their EXEs.

[Maciej_J]

It's not about making a list of applications which would use tray and add them some icons...

Ok. I would make it straight - with screenshots of my project:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4527369/lh_sr_beta2.PNG

As you can see - I've made a temporary tray, cut out a piece of my program (Window Shape) so the tray could be displayed there - Windows taskbar under my program. So - It's not what I wanted to achieve.

Idea is to make this tray on my own. Not just icons, but right-click menu too. With possibility to change it's position, or even height. I would like it to be placed on sidebar. Yes, I'm trying to imitate Longhorn.

And another feature I would need - icons, on the taskbar buttons. I need an extension, which would rip them from windows - listed by Kernel Object. As you can see on screenshots - they aren't there.

[UrbanMonk]

You can retrieve icons from running programs.

You use Process explorer to get a list of running programs and extract their exe location.

Then you can extract their icons with the image manipulator i think. There is an object that can do this I just can't remember it's name.

After that you can use the kernel object to check which windows are visible then you can display their icon on your custom taskbar.

Their are plenty of other programs like this out their already though, you could just go download one of those and customize it.

[Maciej_J]

@UrbanMonk,
Maybe it would sound noobish, but...
Isn't there any example which would help me?

Ok - what about windows which shouldn't ever be visible? (using "Window Lister" you can get quite big list of such windows)
And - how should I combine Kernel Object with Process Lister? Window listing is based on example by SEELE.

[UrbanMonk]

Ok well if you have the window listing part down then I'll send you my icon extracting example when I get home.

I made it a while ago so there may be an easier way now.

[Dragon]

I have source tray in C++
Someone can use that, and do that extension:
http://translate.google.pl/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=pl&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2F4programmers.net% 2FC%2FArtyku%25C5%2582y%2FW%25C5%2582asny_zasobnik _systemowy_%2528tray%2529%3Fsid%3D6a0844237f9d3524 6b2d0e0d13684c72&sl=pl&tl=en

It's translate from Polish...
Sory for my English. I learn that language ...

[Maciej_J]

Dragon - translating with Google would make text unreadable...

But, maybe you are not aware of that.