[How-to] Make an Application GML file.

[Treetop]

Creating a gml, believe it or not, is easier than it appears.... well, kinda :wink:

First things first... Be prepared to spend at least a couple of hours on this project.
Trial and error are your friends

Lets dive right in..

1) Open up the program that you wish to control.
2) Create a new command in girder. Highlight it.
3) Click on the "Command" tab in the lower right-hand corner.
4) Now, click on the "Capture" button.
A new window will pop up: Titled "System Wide Capturing"

Now from this point, you are ready to begin capturing commands from the application that can be used by girder. You will note 3 buttons on the new window: Start and Stop are the only ones we are concerned with (at this point).

5) Click on start. Nothing should appear in the window until you make an
action with the mouse/keyboard. ** If you see the window populate with many commands... close all other running apps (esp. Windows Task Manager).**

6) Click on the button, in the app that you want to control (eg. Play).
The list will populate with many different "things".
7) Click on the "Stop" button (stop recieving commands)

Now this is where it gets a bit tricky.
8 ) Highlight the first "command" in the list. Note: "Command" is in the
"TYPE" field, not just the first one in the list, that pertains to your application.

Now comes the hours of play....While Girder is great at picking out the commands of some programs, not all programs are (coded) controlled this way. This means that some "captures" will be

type: Left/Right Click (not good when windows change positions or for distributing).
type: Command (best choice).
type: SysCommand (just as good)
type: Application Commands (?)

The best way to make a foolproof GML file is to use "Type: Commands" or "SysCommands".... maybe Im wrong here...

When you capture a button, LParams and WParams will be found as well... these are the numbers that are needed.

9) Click on "Apply". This will populate the girder command with the correct L/W Params.
10) Click on the new command and press F5 (to test)...

Please understand, that I am not the best at "How-to" write-ups, but this will hopefully allow you to get your feet wet and begin exploring.
Note: Not all applications can be controlled. And of the ones that can sometimes you have to use the "Left Click" parameter... not the best choice, but it may work, so don't discredit it right off the bat

Hopefully I will have the gumption to add some pics later...

In the mean time, If you want to experiment with how to do this, start off trying to contol an application that everyone already has (WMP, WinAmp, etc). This way you will get more people who are willing to help. If you download pre-made gml files, you can see the Params that you need to acquire... very helpful for learning.

Well, time for bed.
Powerful dreams,
Treetop

[Treetop]

WinAmp's "Play" button captured:

StanaPhone is a VOIP software I use in Girder: Make a Phonecall
Note how it appears in the window, even though it hidden in the systray...

[Treetop]

If an application has radio or check boxes, you can control those as well.

Ron made a a gml file to demonstrate how-to do this.
Manipulating Checkboxes from Girder

I used this in a DVDShrink v32.gml, and it worked like a charm

edit: added link to the DVDShrink thread.

[Promixis]

Then you should upload your dvdshrink GML