3rd party software to accept and send keystrokes?

Since my effort to run PowerPoint from DMXControl, or to run DMXControl from PowerPoint have failed, I am considering other options.

Perhaps there would be a 3rd party program that will accept any keystroke, and then send a different keystroke to other multiple programs. I suppose this might be called a macro or shortcut editor program.

The idea is that I can use my PowerPoint remote control, and this software would receive the "next slide" keystroke. Then it would send the "next slide" keystroke to PowerPoint and a "next cue" keystroke to DMXControl.

If there are no existing programs, I have programmed in Visual Basic in the past. Does anyone recommend me trying to do it myself this way? I would be concerned about performance problems, since Visual Basic is not a quickly performing language. Also, I am not sure if it can run hidden, and also send keystrokes to DMXControl while keeping it hidden. I need PowerPoint to stay on top with its slide show running full screen. I have programmed in machine language on the Atari 8-bit, but that was MANY years ago. I have no clue how one would go about grabbing focus of programs in Windows low-level languages to send them keystrokes.

Any further suggestions?

Joe Dunfee

Thank you for the reply, but I think the MediaCenter requires that the program running PowerPoint be on a different computer than the one running DMXControl. I am trying to do this on only one computer.

I visited the support forum for one Macro editor I came across called "Macro Express".

Quote

Is it possible to work in one application window while a macro is running in another application window in the background?

Normally, no. Windows only accepts keystrokes and mouse events (clicks & moves) for the window that has focus. However, you may have success if you use the Window Control commands and avoid certain macro commands that only work with the foreground window.

So, I need to ask if DMXControl will accept what is called "Windows Control Commands" to advance to the next cue without its window coming up? I am not certain what a "Windows Control Command" is. But, I think it refers to how the program exposes itself to other programs. I am guessing that DMXControl does allow this.

Joe Dunfee

Thank you Stevan for reminding me about the Auto HotKey program. I had forgotten about it. I do recall looking at in a while back, and spending a while trying to figgure it out. It proved to be too complex for me at the time. However, since it seems to be my only option right now, I am revisiting it.

Part of my motivation for avoiding it in the past was that I was also trying to come up with a solution I can pass on to other puppeteers. A complex scripting language would not qualify. However, upon re-reading the description of Auto HotKeys, I see that it is possible to save a .EXE file with the shortcuts you program. So, that one I get it working, I can just make the .EXE file available.

I have spent a few hours with the program today, though I haven't made any progress yet. Part of the challenge is that the "key presses" coming from the PowerPoint remote are not normal keys people type in a word processor. So, I had to do some work to make sure I had the correct keystrokes. I will report back here when I have made some progress.

Joe Dunfee

Sorry, but it seems I am not understanding the "Keyboard Control" window. The English help file has no explanation. In the past, I got it partially working, but after making some changes, none of the keyboard commands work. Note that I am not using the remote or Auto Hot Keys at this point, I am just trying to get the physical keyboard to work because I know it must be working before I can get the remote control working. I know you posted about it in the past, but something is still not right in my configuration and I can't figure it out. Attached is a screen shot of my current settings.

After these settings in the "Keyboard Control" window are done, I click OK and the window goes away. The small "Keyboard Control" window stays open, and I keep it open because it needs to be open in order for DMXControl to receive keystrokes.

Also the scene list window is open. I press the green triangle "play" button to start the show. If I press the "GO" button on the bottom of the scene list window, it functions normally, and will progress to the next scene in sequence. So, at least I understand how to make a list of scenes.

Can anyone tell me what might be wrong with my keyboard commands?

Joe Dunfee

I have had some limited success. I have been able to run a PowerPoint presentation, and simultaneously go to the next lighting cue. The set-up is as follows.

+ Re-map the Page Down key to the letter G.
+ Run DMXControl with the Scene List window open with the play button pressed AND have also highlighted the first scene (got stuck for a while by omitting that last step).
+ The small version of the keyboard control window is open.
+ Then I minimize DMXControl.
+ Run PowerPoint in 2-window mode (i.e. presenter view on laptop, and the external monitor shows the slides full screen).

With this all set-up I can press the Next Slide button on my remote, and both the PowerPoint slide and Scenes will advance.

Regarding Keyboard Control;I have tried to view a German translation of the help file, which has more about it. The screen shots are still German, of course, and the translation inaccuracy was enough of a barrier that it didn't help. I still have significant problems, but at least I can make it go to the next cue. No other function I have tried seems to work. For example, the device/function "previous" command only goes to the next cue, not the previous one. Note that this is all without using the AutoHotKey program, and using DMXControl alone.

Regarding PowerPoint; for some reason when I have this all set-up, I cannot use all the buttons on my remote normally. I have a very simplified version of the AutoHotKey script running. Upon a PgDn keystroke it will send a "G", and a PgDn keystroke. From my understanding of how the scripts work, I should not have to include the PgDn keystroke, because it should send it automatically. So, perhaps my understanding is incomplete, or it is misbehaving.

Will someone with the English version of DMXControl be kind enough to show me a screen shot of their Keyboard Control, with it set up to show a keystroke that will go BACK one scene and one that will start a show at the beginning?

Thank you very much for your help.

Joe Dunfee