Windows focus?

[J G 927]

I run several things at a time when I am in a FSX session, and some of these things are running independently in a second or third window.

 

What I would like is to be able to press a key that would bring the focus back to the FSX window when it has been moved off.

 

Has any one any ideas for this?

[Captain Coffee 2,030]

Alt Tab

 

or is that too easy?

 

It WOULD be nice to have a "Focus on FSX" key though...instead of cycling through my Netflix/ASN/Airhauler/FSX menu.

Usually I just mouse click the window I want to focus on/listen to.

Netflix sound keeps trucking on even if I focus on FSX...thankfully FSX shuts up when I focus on Netflix.

 

I was screaming cross the USA Sunday in the F106 at 50k feet, watching Star Trek Enterprise...I hate the intro music for that series, but it was appropriate as I was "touching the sky" during the trip...bit hair raising each time the intro ran...watched 4 or 5 episodes on that round trip from Cali to the Carolinas and back.

 

[mutley 4,495]

Same thought here Matt.

[allardjd 1,853]

J.G.,
 
Have a look at AutoHotKey, a freeware, open source scripting utility that looks pretty good and I think might be able to do what you want.  In particular look at their WinActivate command, which, at first glance seems to do what you're looking for.  I have never used this - haven't even downloaded it - but it looks useful and powerful.  
 
Home page:
 
 http://www.autohotkey.com/
 
Tutorial: 
 
http://ahkscript.org/docs/Tutorial.htm
 
John
 
EDIT:  
 
From their Commands Index...
 
WinActivate:  Activates the specified window (makes it foremost).
 
JDA

[J G 927]

The tab idea is not what I want and the click back on the window is what I want to avoid. 

 

It is a focus back on FSX that I would like to do.  I often have to pause FSX and then navigate away from its window. I have a utility called Soundstream that ensures FSX sound does not vanish but then I get confused which window is active (Its an age thing).  If I had a focus on FSX button I could build this into a joystick button and the irritation problem would go away!

 

J. 

[allardjd 1,853]

I use a utility called VAC (Voice Activated Commands)

 

It's VERY powerful and can do pretty much anything with a voice command, which you program in their "Builder" utility.  It's pretty magic and I use it for a number of things in FS.  It's payware with a 14 day trial (I think).  It was only $18 when I got it and apparently still is.

 

http://www.dwvac.com/index.html

 

John

 

 

[mutley 4,495]

The tab idea is not what I want and the click back on the window is what I want to avoid. 

 

It is a focus back on FSX that I would like to do.

Crikey JG we we're only trying to help, this is a Windows problem and not resolvable IMO, even with a 3rd party app, you would probably end up making more key presses than a simple alt-tab or god forbid, clicking on the window you wish to activate!  

 

 

[allardjd 1,853]

I think AutoHotKey can do it with a single keypress, but would require writing a script and having AHK running, of course.

John

[J G 927]

 

The tab idea is not what I want and the click back on the window is what I want to avoid. 

 

It is a focus back on FSX that I would like to do.

Crikey JG we we're only trying to help, this is a Windows problem and not resolvable IMO, even with a 3rd party app, you would probably end up making more key presses than a simple alt-tab or god forbid, clicking on the window you wish to activate!  

 

 

Sorry all, I didn't mean to sound snappy or anything but my usual humble self 

 

I have had a sh1t  day at the office dealing with a little Hitler client, no excuse but perhaps the comment matched my mood at the time.

[mutley 4,495]

That's cool. we could tell you were exasperated 

[J G 927]

John, You are right on the money!  Script created, - Bed time now, but will test it tomorrow.

 

AutoHotKey is an amazing tool, It has solved my problem and I can think of loads of other uses for it!

 

Thanks a bunch John 

[MyPC8MyBrain 273]

AHK can look for a window title and make sure it’s in the front on interval, no need for clicking at all,

heck you could have AHK run your app, position it, configure it, and keep in the front for you with one click

[brett 2,310]

JG, you forgot  

[allardjd 1,853]

Let us know how it works, J.G.  

 

John

[J G 927]

JG, you forgot

I am sure that I dont have to tell JA that he is a top man, but for the record, he is.

[allardjd 1,853]

[needles 1,012]

JG, I see you are sorted now but for what it's worth,  I use this small program http://www.inputdirector.com/

 

You can program any key I believe that brings the cursor back to your main screen.

 

And it's free.

 

Cheers

[J G 927]

Hi Brian.

 

Unfortunately despite AutoHotKey working well on my everyday PC, when I loaded it on to my FSX PC it really pissed off EZDok.  I could not use them  together.

 

I uninstalled AutoHotKey and EZDok calmed down again.

 

Have you used inputdirector on your FS PC?

 

If so. did it work well? any account of how you used it would be interesting to hear.

 

JG 

[MyPC8MyBrain 273]

John, can you post your ahk script pls?

[J G 927]

It's a simple one Chris:

 

^y::

   #SingleInstance force

   winactivate, Microsoft Flight Simulator X

Return

[MyPC8MyBrain 273]

try this

(make sure the designated key isn’t used by the application you are having trouble with)

SetTitleMatchMode, 2 
^y::
	IfWinNotActive, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, , Microsoft Flight Simulator X, 
        WinActivate, Microsoft Flight Simulator X
       WinWaitActive Microsoft Flight Simulator X,
return

[needles 1,012]

Hi Brian.

Unfortunately despite AutoHotKey working well on my everyday PC, when I loaded it on to my FSX PC it really pissed off EZDok. I could not use them together.

I uninstalled AutoHotKey and EZDok calmed down again.

Have you used inputdirector on your FS PC?

If so. did it work well? any account of how you used it would be interesting to hear.

JG

Yes John, I use it all the time. No issues at my end.

Give it a try, its free.