bigmuscle

AERO GLASS for Win8 PREVIEW 3 Since I am busy with studying DWM and trying to introduce some more interesting stuff which will take a longer time implement (if it is possible :-) ) but I don't want to let you wait too long, here is another preview. Do not expect too much from this version. Just a few fixed bugs (and new bugs added :-) ) What's new: * removed dependency on C:\DWM folder * loop for layered windows chained into DWM main window's timer * set lower interval for setting layered windows * fixed crash for application which do not like WS_EX_LAYERED to be set too early (e.g. Windows Paint) * fixed a few memory leaks * added temporary workaround for iTunes (it will be removed in the future!!!) * added some new EXPERIMENTAL registry settings: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM (no user-specific settings now!) DisableDebugLog (DWORD) = when set to 1, it disables logging to file. NOT RECOMMENDED!!! ForceBoundingRectangleRedraw (DWORD) = when set to 1, layered windows technique will be disabled completely. Instead of it, it tries to repaint whole bounding rectangle of the window texture (with respect to clipping area). This settings is for users who don't like layered windows but I don't recommend to use it at all, because it has not been tested much, you won't see totally obscured objects in transparent area and it brings a lot of redraw glitches (so do not complain about them)!!! http://leteckaposta.cz/985544913

I know it fixes only the application added to black list but better than nothing until proper solution is found.

This has been reported before. Not sure if the creator will fix it but he needs help. Unfortunately I haven't the skills. ad iTunes: I have already created a topic in their forum https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4764255?start=0&tstart=0 but no response yet. For the next version, I will at least implement the temporary workaround "if window == iTunes".

Please do not spam with useless posts. Current version is a preview only which is not intended for regular usage.

Nice thing! I was actually thinking whether there is still possible to do something like in Win9x - WinXP. It was possible to register DLL which then automatically created a new tab in Display settings where any custom options could be placed.

Does this high CPU appear also with tools such as bLend or WinAeroGlass? EDIT: if this is due to layered windows and anybody is interested, I can also implement different approach of drawing transparent areas (with registry option). The problem of this different approach is that it does not draw totally obscured objects. Objects means window, window caption, border or window icon. If some of these object is totally hidden, you don't see it in the transparent area at all.

if you know how to modify dirty regions in DWM, then let us know ;-) however, high CPU usage with layered windows does not appear here.

Tray icon won't probably be implemented because it would require running a background application which would handle icon actions.

It is probably not possible because there is no additional application which runs in the background. Yeah, there is many memory leaks because I have not cared about memory releasing much ;-) However, I don't understand how you can close the loader because it is closed immediately after DLL is loaded into dwm process.

Is here anyone who is experienced with HLSL pixel/vertex shaders?

Any C:\DWM\crash.log for StartIsBack crash? I guess it failed to write debug log (I probably made wrong fprintf arguments anywhere), does it generate crash.log ? It does not ignore border color, at least it should not if DWM include it in the vertex buffer (my method has been implemented for plain color borders only and I cannot say how it works when border is not colour but texture - is it even possible in win8?) Is it possible to add my application into kaspersky exclude list? It uses DLL injection/function hooks so some antivirus can evaluate as threat. iTunes use some different window drawing. It paints its own border (probably in WM_NCPAINT) but still have DWM enable for it. I can make a workaround by putting a condition "if window == iTunes" but this is completely wrong because same problem can appear for other windows which use the same technique. So I need to find any universal solution.

Now let's start creating a list of applications which does not work together with my project (now ignore applications with small glitches). Be currently interested in applications which crashes (e.g. Windows Paint <- this one is already fixed) or are totally unusable (e.g. iTunes).

Glow effect should be enabled in the window theme, not in DWM.

AERO GLASS for Win8 PREVIEW 2 This is still preview only, so it does not have to work for you at all. Report if it does not run at all, so I can fix as soon as possible. What's new: * removed MSVCR110D.DLL and MSVCP110D.DLL dependency * started code refactoring * fixed DWM deadlock with some applications (e.g. Snipping Tool) * decreased video memory to the half * it should be approx. three-times faster (although it can still be slow when having many large windows) * added some registry settings: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DWM (no user-specific settings now!) DeviceFeatureLevel (DWORD) = forces to use specific Direct3D version level. Helpful in case of incompatible drivers etc. Allowed values 0x9100, 0x9200, 0x9300 (VMWare default), 0xa000 (for D3D 10), 0xa100 (for D3D 10.1), 0xb000 (for D3D 11), 0xb100 (for D3D 11.1). Do not use if everything works correctly!!! BlurDeviation (DWORD) = the amount of blur to be applied. Set to 0 to disable blur effect completely. Default value is 30. GlassTransparency (DWORD) = value of alpha component which will be applied to the glass. Range 0 (total transparency) - 255 (opaque), default value is 175. Please, if you want to play with these settings, report back which value are the best for you, so I can allow best user experience in release version :-) http://leteckaposta.cz/621343263 (reuploaded)

ad iTunes: it does not seem to like its window to be layered and it does not work either with any utility which makes windows transparent (e.g. bLend,WinAeroGlass etc.).

No, it is not possble. This preview is not intended for regular use.

Is iTunes application downloadable anywhere for free so I can test it?

It works properly for me. Nice, if you look into the log file, what is your FeatureLevel on line beginning with D3D11CreateDevice ?

Yes, it is slow, because it writes to debug log very often ;-) Ad firefox. Do you use any plugins? If yes, could you disable them (if possible). I don't use FF at all, but I tried installing clean version and it works without any problems. Just a message to everyone: if everything is working correctly for you then uploading debug log is useless ;-) it is helpful only in situations when you don't see the blur, crashes etc.

Currently not (unless you changed taskbar rendering). DWM renders all windows and its borders using Direct3D 10.1. But taskbar is rendered using Direct3D 11. I have implemented blurring for version 10.1 only.

Just a question, has anyone tried with pure Direct3D 11.0 or 11.1 graphic card and can confirm that it works properly for him? I just want to know whether DWM uses D3D 10.1 for windows drawing in all situations or it is just for compatibility reasons.

Currently, blur effect is applied under anything which DWM draws with using one plain colour (without any texture). So if start menu is not a texture but just a coloured rectangle than it will work for it ;-)

Yeah, options to set the level opacity and blur radius (0 = disabled) will be available in the future. However, I don't see any reason why it should deny logging in, because this utility does not modify anything in your system. Unless you set to start it with the Windows. Yeah, I'm just playing with some DX10.1 vs DX11 stuff. But I don't understand why it works for DX11 but does not for DX10 in your case, it should be vice versa :-D

I think this is the business of the concrete theme because hover image is included in the theme sprite. Default Windows 8 theme just don't have it.

do you have default settings or do you use any different theme/coloring than the default? debug file is from working or non-working configuration?