Pressing keys in the listener

By TsveTan · 2012-02-08

Description

Hi,
I am novice to the site and to maxscript.
I am using the pickobject() fn in a dotnet checkbox eventhandler function.
The problem is it works fine, if you select the picked object and not cancel the action.
If i know how to press the "escape" key in the listener i will be able to stop the function. I tried to use the "sendkeys" class with the "sendwait" method, but it only works as input in the listener.
Is there a way to press a key in a dialog (maxscript listener) by its HWND from a script.
Thanks
Tsvetan

Comments (7)

Ewok · 2012-04-28

Hi guys,

I just tried the code by anubis in order to print an "E" in the MAXScriptListener by sending the "{E}" key to it.

But, it doens't work. I only get this result:

true
MCR_SendKeys()
undefined

Just in case the modified code looks like that:

actionMan.executeAction 0 "40472" -- Open the Listener
 
fn MCR_SendKeys sysKey = 
(
	local WM_ACTIVATE = 0x6
	local SendKeys = dotNetClass "System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys"
	ListenerHWND = (windows.getChildHWND 0 "MAXScript Listener")[1]
	MacroChHWND = (windows.getChildrenHWND ListenerHWND)[2][1]
 
	Windows.sendMessage MacroChHWND WM_ACTIVATE MacroChHWND 0
	SendKeys.SendWait sysKey
)
 
MCR_SendKeys "{E}" -- send Escape key to MacroRecorder sub-window

Does anyone konw what's wrong?

I also don't understand what

local WM_ACTIVATE = 0x6

stands for.

TsveTan · 2012-02-10

Yes of course, it was helpful. I searched 2-3 days on the web for a way.
I believe we will meet again.
Thank you (Blagodarq)

Ewok · 2012-04-28

*
Moved post to the right place.

welcome ;)

Anubis · 2012-02-10

I think I forgot to say Welcome to the site and scripting, so I do it right now :)

Glad to know as well that I was helpful with something.

Anubis

TsveTan · 2012-02-10

Many Thanks, colleagues
I write down the function body in my case to be much clear, if someone is searching on the web for a similar solution.
The "MCR_SendKeys" function is exactly what I am looking for.
actionMan.executeAction 0 "40472" -- Open the Listener
global SendKeys = dotNetClass "System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys"
fn MCR_SendKeys sysKey =
(
local WM_ACTIVATE = 0x6
ListenerHWND = (windows.getChildHWND 0 "MAXScript Listener")[1]
MacroChHWND = (windows.getChildrenHWND ListenerHWND)[1][1]
Windows.sendMessage MacroChHWND WM_ACTIVATE MacroChHWND 0
SendKeys.SendWait sysKey
)

fn checkedbtn o a =
(
if o.checked == true then
(
o.backcolor = o.backcolor.gold
obj = pickobject filter:shapeFilt forceListenerFocus:false
if obj != #escape and obj != undefined then
(
o.text = obj.name
o.checked = false
)
)
else
(
MCR_SendKeys "{Escape}" -- send Escape key to the Listener sub-window
o.backcolor = o.backcolor.azure
)
)
dotnet.addEventHandler checkBox0 "checkedChanged" checkedbtn

pickObject prompt:"..." ?

Anubis · 2012-02-09

Maybe you use the optional #prompt argument with pickObject(), which popup the Listener?
Its not very likeable option to me.

Here is a function anyway (right copy from my archive) for sending keys to the MacroRecorder sub-window (the pink area in the Listener dialog), but you can modify it to send keys to the main (white area) sub-window. If so, change the [2][1] in line "MacroChHWND = ..." to [1][1] (first sub-window).

actionMan.executeAction 0 "40472" -- Open the Listener

fn MCR_SendKeys sysKey = 
(
	local WM_ACTIVATE = 0x6
	local SendKeys = dotNetClass "System.Windows.Forms.SendKeys"
	ListenerHWND = (windows.getChildHWND 0 "MAXScript Listener")[1]
	MacroChHWND = (windows.getChildrenHWND ListenerHWND)[2][1]
	
	Windows.sendMessage MacroChHWND WM_ACTIVATE MacroChHWND 0
	SendKeys.SendWait sysKey
)

MCR_SendKeys "{ESC}" -- send Escape key to MacroRecorder sub-window

I hope this helps

jos · 2012-02-09

you can check if the obj is undefined.
pickobject will return undefined when the action is cancelled.
Can't help you with the keys..


obj = pickobject()
if obj != undefined then
(
   ...
)
else
(
  --uncheck checkbox
)