Digital Workshop

would like to make a screen 'set-sized-window' in which i can open another piece of software.... (a video display).... is this possible?

the reason is to overcome an odd problem.... the software opens as a set size of 1024x768 but our screen is 1400x900 (we dont want to change our screen ressolution). the software's frame opens in our screen centre (this is ok) but the inner frames open in the top left (not ok).

if a 'window' of set size could be made to 'trick' the new software to think it is the whole screen size, then it should open in the window... can this been done with opus pro?

thanks
stephen

Just a quick comment: Have you checked out the various option in the Chapter properties?

i can see where the page size can be determined.... so i would choose 'custom' then set it to 1400x900

in the page i would then wish to choose a 'window' of 1024x768 but cant see a way of ''getting'' the required software programe (the video display program) to open up 'inside/within' it

stephenn

How do you propose to open/launch the video display? Is this pub only to run on your computer, or do you intent to distribute it? Remember, if you distribute the pub you need to consider (i) the sizes/resolutions of the displays used on the client systems; (ii) the clients' access to the software that drives the video display.

Might DocView work for you?

You describe this as "another piece of software" so I'm assuming that you must be aware of the command that will activate this piece of software. Somehow, you need to trigger that command. Common ways to do this are to link an "On Show" or some other trigger to Launch your application. Check both of these in your Help File.

If you can't link these triggers to your special display window, perhaps you might use an invisible Frame that is initially hidden, but which when shown can be used to launch your video display.

There are many possible variations that might apply to what you are trying to do. Without more details about what you are trying to do, it is difficult for me to make suggestions -- particularly when I do not do a lot of work with displays that are external to Opus. However, I'm sure that there are people much more knowledgable than me who might be able to help you.

When you are trying to something for the first time, there can be a lot of trial and error. To protect my "valuable" pub from experimental disasters, I create a separate pub which I call my "Test Bed". In this I can have chapters whose properties exactly match those in the real pub. I can experiment here, secure in the knowledge that my valuable pub is safe.

EDITED:
1. In the chapter properties you might find it worth checking out the use of Display in Publication Panel.

2. Have you considered setting up a separate chapter with properties to match the vide display size. When you trigger this panel it displays on top of the current page, and disappears when you close it. This method would let you have separate video displays associated with different video displays, and show these by a simple GoToPage action.

Of course, for both techniques, you still have the challenge of launching the video display.

In all cases: save frequently, and backup regularly.

HTH