StrokeIt

General Information:

What is the WinAPI?

Windows is not only a graphical user interface. The operating system has an additional interface which is used for writing windows applications, called the Windows API or in short WinAPI API. API stands for "Application Programming Interface". WinAPI is a kind of programming language which is built into Windows and can be used by all windows programs (that is the reason why Windows programs look more or less equal). The API allows use of typical windows elements in your own programs, for example, the dialog for open and save documents, windows elements for resizing and closing programs (the three buttons right up), etc.

What are SDI and MDI Windows?

MDI means Multi Document Interface. An MDI window is a window that is inside of another window. For example, mIRC windows for channels and such are MDI windows inside of the main mIRC window. SDI means Single Document Interface, for example, Internet Explorer and so on.

What is the difference between send and post messages?

Sending a message to an application will send the message, and then wait for the message to be processed before returning. Posting a message to an application send the message to the applications message queue, and then returns immediately, without waiting for the message to be processed.

How you can find the parameters?

I use the program Girder (http://www.girder.nl) To use Girder to find the parameters: Add a command (STRG +A) go to the command tab (right down window) and press capture -start capturing and make your action for example a keystroke, mouse press whatever you like, now you see the L and the W parameter, try it out and add it as send WM_Command in StrokeIt.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where do I find the an application's class name?

Drag the "Target" onto the window you want to use.

How do I draw [gesture]?

Look here please.

I changed the language in Edit->Preferences->Files->Default Interface Language, but nothing happens.

You must restart.

How do I add new gestures?

Look here

Can I make my own gesture?

Yes of course ... StrokeIt has been designed that the users can add however many, and whatever gestures

1. Go to the Edit menu.
2. Select "Learn gestures"
3. Click the "New Gesture" button.
4. Type a name for your gesture in the popup box and select OK.
5. Draw the new gesture.
6. Click the "Learn" button.

Repeat steps 5 and 6 a few times to help StrokeIt learn the slight differences in how your gestures are drawn and make it become more accurate in recognizing your new gesture.

Where can I find which keys are supported by the keystroke plugin?

Look here here. Please note that the combination "CTRL + ALT + DEL" is reserved by windows

I want to have multiple commands for one gesture. Is that possible?

Of course, you can add as many commands you like. An example is here

How I can change the color of the line that the gestures are drawn in?

StrokeIt->Main Window->Edit - Preferences->General For the translation what RGB color values, have a look here

I want to have more then one button for drawing the gestures. Is that possible?

No, StrokeIt is designed to recognize gestures, not buttons, and is limited of one "drawing button". This has already been suggested in the improvement request forum.

My mouse has more then three buttons can I use the other buttons for StrokeIt?

No, unfortunately, this is a Windows limitation. Adding support for additional buttons would add a very significant amount of overhead to the system.

I want to disable StrokeIt when I play games. How do I do this?

1. Setup an application group in StrokeIt for each game that you wish to disable gestures in, and enable the "Disable gestures in this application" checkbox.
2. Click with the "draw button" on the StrokeIt symbol in the system tray the icon will turn red. All gestures are disabled when the icon is read. Click again to change it back and re-enable gestures.

I want to write my own plugin for StrokeIt. Is that possible?

Look here

Common Problems:

I have problems with the keystroke plugin in Windows XP, Explorer back and next don't work and or other things, is that known?

Please download the new keystroke plugin here.

In Trillian, copy and paste don't work, is that known?

Yes, that is a Trillian problem, not a StrokeIt problem.

How To Perform Common Tasks:

I want to lock my Windows NT, 2000 and XP computer with a gesture is that possible?

Command: Run - Run Program File: rundll32 Start dir: (doesn't matter) Additional arguments: USER32.DLL,LockWorkStation More can be found here.

I want to connect to the internet with a gesture. How do I do that?

For Win9x:
START RUNDLL32 RNAUI.DLL,RnaDial exact name of dialer entry

For NT,xp and 2000
Filename: rasphone.exe
Parameter: -t connectionname

On these operating systems you can also disconnect:

Filename: rasphone.exe
Parameter: -h connectionname

In Windows XP, the minimize plugin doesn't work. What can I do?

You can use another application, for example Traysaver insteed.

What is the meaning of the special commands in the strokes.bin?

! = Reverse Gesture
- = Horizontal Mirror
|| = Vertical Mirror
1 = Rotate Clockwise 90 Degrees
2 = Rotate Clockwise 180 Degrees
3 = Rotate Clockwise 270 Degrees

Can I search with Google the selected word in Internet Explorer?

(Thanks Scott and pi)
Yes New Command->Send Keystrokes

[CTRL_DOWN]c[CTRL_UP]
[ALT_DOWN]d[ALT_UP]
http://www.google.com/search?q=
[CTRL_DOWN]v[CTRL_UP]
[ENTER]

or

[CTRL_DOWN]C[CTRL_UP]
[CTRL_DOWN]O[CTRL_UP]
http://www.google.com/search?q=
[CTRL_DOWN]V[CTRL_UP]
[ENTER]

both variations work.

Credits:

Leo, and Pi. Thanks go to Scott and Jeff.