Transparent Background

Virgil · Wed 13/01/2010 04:36:15

I know it seems like a very, very backwards question, but I'm interested in a transparent background where I can see whatever is behind the game window.

I know its most likely impossible for the engine to pull something like this off, but I figure I would ask anyway. Is it possible?

Ryan Timothy B · Wed 13/01/2010 04:38:47

I imagine it might be possible with a plugin (maybe).

Virgil · Wed 13/01/2010 04:39:44

Hmm... I had not thought of that. I might take a stab at doing it myself but have no idea how to go about it.

monkey0506 · Wed 13/01/2010 04:58:44

It's definitely not something presently feasible within the limitations of AGS, but as Ryan said you might be able to conceive something using a plugin. No real idea how exactly that would go (haven't done a lot of Windows application programming), but that would be the route you need to look into.

barefoot · Wed 13/01/2010 07:20:55

Hi

perhaps you could explain more..

Are we talking layers and what would you actually be able to see behind the transparency background (assuming transparency not 100%)

Below is of a Tiger behind a transparent (I think 20/30%) background

barefoot

Gilbert · Wed 13/01/2010 08:21:33

I think what the OP meant was that the game window itself is transparent, revealing the desktop behind.
If this is the case then no, that is not possible, probably not even with a plug-in (unless plug-ins can some how pick up whatever graphics are on the Desktop and overlap it with the game's content, which I think is not possible at all).
I'm not sure whether the ~~bloaty~~ fancy display options of recent OSes (or, when using some 3rd Desktop enhancements) would make windows semitransparent, but with AGS alone, it is certainly not possible.

barefoot · Wed 13/01/2010 08:43:48

Yes Gilbet..

you are proberbly right.. unless a snapshot is taken of the desktop and used as the background ..

Unless others beg to differ.. interesting thought..

barefoot

MrCheminee · Wed 13/01/2010 08:46:35

Quote from: Gilbet V7000a on Wed 13/01/2010 08:21:33
I think what the OP meant was that the game window itself is transparent, revealing the desktop behind.
If this is the case then no, that is not possible, probably not even with a plug-in (unless plug-ins can some how pick up whatever graphics are on the Desktop and overlap it with the game's content, which I think is not possible at all).
I'm not sure whether the ~~bloaty~~ fancy display options of recent OSes (or, when using some 3rd Desktop enhancements) would make windows semitransparent, but with AGS alone, it is certainly not possible.

Not even with a screenshot blended in the background?

Virgil · Wed 13/01/2010 13:31:22

No, I mean being able to see the desktop behind the game window itself.

And I can obviously take a snapshot of the desktop and use it, but ideally I'd like to have it in real time. I don't have much going on in game so I would hope that any graphic requirements wouldn't be an issue.

Is not possible even with a plugin?

Gilbert · Wed 13/01/2010 13:39:59

Did you read my reply?

Virgil · Wed 13/01/2010 13:44:54

Yes, specifically the part saying: unless plug-ins can some how pick up whatever graphics are on the Desktop and overlap it with the game's content, which I think is not possible at all.

If you're sure its not possible, fine then.