Custom Windows

[Ukase]

I'm sure more than few saw the little Custom Window set up that @TheMultiVitamin shared with us when he displayed his UI. He also shared the link, which is also here: https://homecoming.wiki/wiki/Custom_window_(Slash_Command)

So, I was actually able to do this...well, sort of. My issue seems to be in reading comprehension, or in understanding file structures. 

The HC Wiki page instructs to type this in game to get the CoH Install Directory:  /bindloadfile \

 

And I get this:

 c:/Games/Homecoming/settings/live/

So, when I lookin the live folder, I don't see a data folder or a custom windows folder. So, as instructed, I create the data folder within the live folder. And then create the customwindows folder within the data folder. 

But the custom window isn't permanent, and I'm at a loss as to what I'm doing incorrectly. 

The MacroWindow text is basically a copy of the file on the HC Wiki as a test. Figured I'd make sure it was permanent before I loaded up a zillion different things. 
And while it's super useful, if it goes away when I log off...that's not that useful. So I am figuring I have the MacroWindow in the wrong spot, despite following the instructions. It's bound to be something simple...but no idea what it could be. 

Anyone have a hint? 
Thanks

[TheMultiVitamin]

To me, it looks like you put it in the wrong place

[Nerio72]

Yeah dont put it in settings folder put it in the data folder

<COH_INSTALL_DIRECTORY>\data\customwindows\

[Ukase]

I knew it was something simple. I'm familiar with the data folder, but when I used that one command to ensure I put it in the "install directory", the reply from the error led me too far down the structure tree. So, I made a data folder that I didn't need. And now, thanks to correcting my feeble brain, it now works properly! 

Now to plot out which macros will be universally used across all characters...

EDIT: So, while it does work, It doesn't seem to want to let me move it to the edge of my screen. It keeps jumping back out to what seems to be an imaginary border line it can't cross, about 1/2 inch from the top or the side, depending on where I want to put it. (I was thinking top left, between the target and the nav bar. But, it keeps moving down. 

It's always something, lol.

Edited November 8 by Ukase

[Marshal_General]

I have a custom window that's probably the same one, I can't check while I am at work. Mine resets to a default position when I close the game, but does allow me to move it and it will stay there if I swap characters.

 

Resizing it can be a pain. I have found that moving it to the bottom right if the screen will allow me to resize it and then I move it to where I want. After that, I only have to move it after I first start the game up each time.

[Ukase]

It's a little weird. I find I'm able to move it flush to the right, but not to the left. It'll do for now. But I'm curious as to the why. 

[TheMultiVitamin]

27 minutes ago, Ukase said:

It's a little weird. I find I'm able to move it flush to the right, but not to the left. It'll do for now. But I'm curious as to the why. 

Yea so Custom Windows do have some jank to them unfortunately. For example they really don't like being put on the border of the game window and have a tendency to move around, it's why mine is where it is in the UI setup thread. They also reset their position each time you open the game (even if you put in a custom x/y in the file) which is also annoying.

[Nerio72]

Yeah the moving around  is a little irritating but I think you're it for what you can do with it. You will somewhat get used to it and you'll probably find your sweet spot. It does tend to do better on the right side, but will still move some.

Another thing that can be useful is you can make a macro with the custom window and drag it to your power bar(or vice versa)

[Ukase]

1 hour ago, Nerio72 said:

Another thing that can be useful is you can make a macro with the custom window and drag it to your power bar(or vice versa)

This is a pretty useful thing. My problem is on my 50's...I don't really have any open slots for more macros. 
For example, if I stuff the BadgeSet pop menu in the custom window - and the Custom Window is on the right side, it's really tough to navigate the pop menu, so I have to drag it to the left side. 

None of this is a super big deal, and I'm delighted to have discovered it and been advised on how to set it up properly. 

I've been thinking of doing certain content that pop-menus will certainly aid in, and I think this tool is going to be super valuable to me. 

[Nerio72]

1 hour ago, Ukase said:

This is a pretty useful thing. My problem is on my 50's...I don't really have any open slots for more macros. 
For example, if I stuff the BadgeSet pop menu in the custom window - and the Custom Window is on the right side, it's really tough to navigate the pop menu, so I have to drag it to the left side. 

None of this is a super big deal, and I'm delighted to have discovered it and been advised on how to set it up properly. 

I've been thinking of doing certain content that pop-menus will certainly aid in, and I think this tool is going to be super valuable to me. 

Yeah I've had that issue also, one thing I've found and you may not like how it looks, but the middle ish areas don't seem to drift as much. I sometimes move it next to my chat window which I put bottom left. Then I can use pop menus better. I haven't tried it but I'm pretty sure you can make multiple custom windows, you could make one just for your pop menus.

 

And targeting macros are hard to do in it so those I usually drag to powers tray.

[Marshal_General]

This is the way my UI looks with the menu.

 

[Ukase]

23 hours ago, Marshal_General said:

This is the way my UI looks with the menu.

I'd be curious to know if you have anything special with that GM Loc button. 
This custom window should be my solution to creating target macros on the fly, and also sharing which GM and the loc with something simple like /macro GMLoc "Say Here's $target at $loc"

I think that would work. I could even get fancy and have it say it in lfg even if I'm not set at that channel at the moment. (but I don't have that memorized, would have to look that up) 

[Marshal_General]

9 hours ago, Ukase said:

I'd be curious to know if you have anything special with that GM Loc button. 
This custom window should be my solution to creating target macros on the fly, and also sharing which GM and the loc with something simple like /macro GMLoc "Say Here's $target at $loc"

I think that would work. I could even get fancy and have it say it in lfg even if I'm not set at that channel at the moment. (but I don't have that memorized, would have to look that up) 

I think it is

say "$target is at $loc

 

change say with whatever channel you want. I made it when there where multiple Titan spawns in Talos

 

I am not sure, but I think it actually says it in whatever channel I am in

[Glacier Peak]

A couple of useful commands to add to any Giant Monster hunting custom window tabs are found in my guide if anyone is interested. 

 

 

[Ukase]

On 11/8/2024 at 11:59 AM, Nerio72 said:

And targeting macros are hard to do in it so those I usually drag to powers tray.

I'm having a strange problem with this. When I first made it, I could drag macros in (unless they had special icons, and then I'd have to rewrite them without the special images), and I could drag them out. 

But the next day, I could not drag the macros out of the custom window. When I'd click on the macro to drag it out of the window, my camera moves with the mouse cursor. A really strange behavior. 

It makes me think I either have a setting that's screwed up somehow, or I didn't set it up properly in first place, or - these things are just glitchy, as they are unsupported per the HC Wiki. 
If nobody else is having this issue, then I can only assume the problem is with one of my settings, because the set up (once you put it in the right data folder) is fairly straightforward. 

I just can't figure out which setting. 

[Ukase]

On 11/10/2024 at 8:29 AM, Glacier Peak said:

if anyone is interested. 

Once I sort out how to drag a macro out of the custom window, I will add all of these to a custom window for nifty storage. 

[Nerio72]

5 hours ago, Ukase said:

I just can't figure out which setting. 

Do you have "lock powers in trays" on maybe? I just tried to drag in and out and was fine. I turned that on and it kinda glitched.

[Ukase]

11 minutes ago, Nerio72 said:

Do you have "lock powers in trays" on maybe? I just tried to drag in and out and was fine. I turned that on and it kinda glitched.

That's always been on disabled. 
See, the weird thing is the first day, I can move the macros in and out of the custom window. The next, I can only move them in, but not out. 

[Nerio72]

Might check just in case, I know at least once I've accidentally turned it on. Could also try deleting it and re doing it and see if it happens again.

That's really weird.

[Ukase]

So, I did delete the old custom window. 
Re-created it, and got the thing back running - but again, when I log off and back in, I can't take the macros out to use them. I have to use them from within the custom window. 

What's really strange, is the game is open now. The custom window is populated with over a dozen macros. 

So, I go into the game files just to look at the custom.windows file I created, and it's just as I created it - nothing added. Which is super odd to me. 

Oh well, maybe one day I'll figure it out. 

 

[Nerio72]

That's really odd. I haven't had that issue. It does sometimes do some weird stuff tho. I still think it's worth it even if it's sometimes frustrating!

 

I'll let you know if I find/figure anything out...

[Ukase]

I had the strangest experience with this Custom window. 

I knew the problem (or was fairly sure) the problem had to be on my end. 
Turns out, somehow, my left mouse button got configured to "real world look"

 

The crazy thing is, I have never used any of these odd things except maybe zoom in/out, which I've done with no issues ever. I mean, I don't even understand why anyone needs to look at this page once you set things up the way you like it. In any event, I was finally able to take the macros out of the custom window. 

[Nerio72]

Glad you got it figured!