RaceGT

Here is my idea for a project that I've never seen since screensavers existed. Not that I've seen, mind you:

A screensaver that gradually and smoothly (like a movie fade) fades the screen to black over a user-set period of time. So you get 2 controls automatically, the Windows set screensaver time, which says when the screensaver will kick in, then the screensaver-built time, which defines how long the fade will take. But it needs special operation, too: moving the mouse does NOT deactivate the screensaver, in fact, you can still control the programs underneath. This is so that there is no re-waiting for the fade if you happen to need to adjust something in a program that is still running, if the fade has not gotten too dark to do so. Of course, there would be the times you'd need to actually deactivate the fade-screensaver, and this is accomplished by recognizing keystrokes or password, but mouse activity is ignored (or it could be settable to act as a normal screensaver).

I think this is a challenge because the program needs to be 'always on top' (for the visual effect desired), but 'not always on top' because of the special operation I'm looking for with regards to the mouse.

I've never seen a screensaver that does this, let alone anything of quality. If you do a seach for "screensaver" and "fade", all you get is all the screensaver packages that let you fade an image from one to another....you'll never find one that actually fades the screen. At least I couldn't in a couple hours of searching one night.

If you really wanted to get fancy with it, another configuration option could be to control the fade with a user-defineable curve instead of just plain linear. Like say the saver starts at 0% fade, by 50% of the time defined it reaches 30% fade, at 70% time=50% fade, etc. You could define it how you wanted it to fade.

I couldn't think of a way to overlay a transparent screen that would fade smoothly (even if it's just showing a black picture), that is also transparent to the mouse while still being above any other programs (to achieve the visual effect). I'd bet for anyone very familiar with graphics and screens, it could be a simple task. I know I can't do it with what tools I have, but does anyone think they could accomplish a simple project for practice?

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Sane

The reason you can't find this on google is because it's not what people would want. Why would someone need this?

But never the less, it would take some C++ and (yes as I said last time), probably Win32API programming. Technically, the screen saver would really be a program that runs in the background of your computer waiting for a lack of keystrokes for a period of time. Then once it notices you are gone it would have to actually change all the colors of everything on the screen to a slightly darker pitch. Which would take a lot of manipulating of windows controls.

The easier but less authentic way would be by spreading black pixels evenly along the screen, but I really can't say how without needing to transfer the active display in to a fake fullscreen display... in which case you could just add the fade on the fullscreen mapping.

Seems kind of unecessary. I don't even use a screen saver myself.

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coldDeath

I'm not too sure what you mean.
But Fedora Core 4 Linux has a screensaver that fades in, to black. then when you move the mouse turns off.

DaWei

In the days of dumb monitors one needed a screensaver. It saved the screen from burn-in. Nowadays, why would one want one? If I want to see a pretty picture, I look at my walls, not my monitor. If I'm using the monitor, I'm not looking at the screensaver! I'm sorry, this gives me a picture of a person without a life or work to accomplish or information to glean or fun to be had sitting before the machine watching the fish swim or the stars recede. Strictly personal outlook, of course. Your mileage may vary.

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stevengs

hehe, you took the words right outta my mouth, sane and dawei. Some people apparently have too much time on their hands and "nur Flusen im Kopf" (nothing but fussles in their head). But at least we are here, to rake 'em over the coals

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RaceGT

Yeah. I'm glad to get some fresh insight on the subject.

Thus ends my foray into a board where the average response is:
"You do not know c programming. We are better than you. Your topics
are meaningless. You will not be allowed."

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Ooble

Whoa there, guys. Who gives a damn why he wants the screensaver? He's not exactly harming anyone with it. The fact is, he wants this screensaver, and IMO, we should help him to make it.

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DaWei

Sonny boy, if you come to a board like this you will get unfettered input not tailored to your infantile expectations. If you're looking for pap or to stay on the sugar teat, stay home with mama. You ainnagonnalike geeks, who often leave their social graces at the door, so maybe you should switch your major to janitorial or something.

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thechristelegacy

I agree with Ooble. Although I don't know how to do this myself, I'd supose you may be able to use Direct X in some way if using Windows. If using some other OS, I have no idea.

Ooble

Many screensavers use the DirectX or OpenGL libraries to perform smoothly. For example, all the 3D ones that come with Windows use OpenGL. I suggest learning C++ like the back of your hand, and picking up a book on either.

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