Cheat Engine

[paul44]

This has been asked a few times already in this forum; just trying to 'extend' this further more.
Goal is to achieve this: [ https://imgur.com/a/YICRitP ].

I came this far by combining following:
a. Compact view mode: [ https://forum.cheatengine.org/viewtopic.php?t=570055 ]
b. Adding background pic: [ https://www.cheatengine.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5580329&sid=fcb8285bdd7601456cc41d29aca09531 ]

At first, I tried to tackle the issue, using feedback pt b.; but was not getting anywhere. So I took on another item from my todo-list: compact view (something I've seen other authors using in their tables), which evt brought me to pt a.
This weekend I decided to give this another go, and realised I could probably build on top of the 'compact view' info. So after some experimenting, I learned 'trial& error'-wise that:
1. most of the objects in the CE gui seem to be Panel objects; with the 'addresslist' being 'Panel1'.
2. It does work with a bckgrnImage, apart from the fact that we probably have a 'transparancy' issue here. I found in a Stackoverflow topic, that you can not "edit/change" that property in the Panel object, but must do it in the Form object.
As for the transparancy issue: notice the "light-blue-ish" lines at top/bottom of addresslist; and image partly showing in the 'memory scan options' panel (?).

Anyways: I seem to be moving in the right direction, but currently lack experience (and time) to dig further...

ps: ignore the "crappy" fontstyle; this is a pure/quick photoshop editing job (in order to remove the white background)
ps2: if it would ever come to a 'wish/optionlist':
a. fields transparent, or not
b. only specific memoryrecord(s): i'm thinking here about a "header/footer" image only.
c. autofill/resize: adapts to gui-resizing.

[ByTransient]

Review this to get started;

https://forum.cheatengine.org/viewtopic.php?t=615397

[paul44]

^ thx for that; it will be helpfull... eventually.

[paul44]

got this far now: [ https://imgur.com/a/LKXQGsQ ]

pic1:
I could not immediately get a grasp on what was what in the ce gui, so did a print-out of all its components (window left). since the addresslist (al) had my focus, the last 2 entries gave me its component list...
basically: the next (final ?) objective would be to get the 'List' transparent somehow...
note: in order to "remove" the 'al', I did a 'al.Destroy()' (which makes the table unsaveable thereafter, fyi)

pic2: as I was researching this, I realised I could add a footer banner (of sorts). but rather then using 'panel 4' for this purpose, I added a new panel at the bottom to achieve that goal (which is the one right above CE's footer)

ps: you can have a look at the code below; or download my AC BF table @FRF (you do not need that game to see its effect; and it also makes use of the 'Compact View mode' routine ~ which basically initiated this little project)
ps2: do not forget to check out the links in the 1st post; as it explains - among others - how to add the image(s) to your table. keep in mind that these will be added "physically" to the table, so keep them as small-sized as possible ! fe: the original footer image is around 45 Kb; but then 'saved for web ~ photoshop-ed' to get a 9 Kb pic... and btw: i'm planning to get its height reduced to 30px to make it even smaller...
ps3: anyone happens to know if there is a visual representation of the gui out there, "linking" its respective components/objects?! I'm getting the feeling that this would be very handy...


[code]
-- adding image footer to gui...
-- google: "cheat engine Adding a background picture"
local sImgName = 'FearlessRev_Footer.png'
local sImgName2 = 'ACBF_reg_ed_Cover.jpg'

local ceForm = getMainForm()
local compCount = ceForm.getComponentCount()

for i=0,compCount-1 do
print(string.format('[%03d]: %s',i,ceForm.getComponent(i).getName()))
end

local al = getAddressList()
print(al.getOwner())
print(al.getParent())
print(al.getName())
local alCount = al.getComponentCount()
for i=0,alCount-1 do
print(string.format('[%03d]: %s',i,al.getComponent(i).getName()))
end

setProperty(ceForm,'AlphaBlendValue','240')

function attachBackground(wc,tblFile)
local p = createPicture()
p.loadFromStream(findTableFile(tblFile).Stream)
wc.OnPaint = function(sender)
local c = sender.getCanvas()
local bitmap = p.getBitmap()
local width = wc.width
-- centering image...
width = (width /2) - (bitmap.Width /2) -- image width
c.draw(width,0,bitmap)
end
end

function addImgFooter(tblFile)
if ImgFooter then return end
local p = createPicture()
p.loadFromStream(findTableFile(tblFile).Stream)
local bitmap = p.getBitmap()
MPanelImg = createPanel(getMainForm())
MPanelImg.width,MPanelImg.top,MPanelImg.left = 10,0,10
-- get panel height based on img_height...
MPanelImg.Height = bitmap.Height + 2
MPanelImg.Align = alBottom
MPanelImg.Caption = 'FearlessRevolution'
ImgFooter = 'yes'
end

addImgFooter(sImgName)
attachBackground(MPanelImg,sImgName)
attachBackground(getMainForm().Panel1,sImgName2)
[/code]

[Corroder]

My simple style:

[paul44]

^ that's more like it

I also like the color-pic combo; which can reduce "table-size" increase considerably. I have not tried it out yet, but will be working on this in the next couple of days. big thx !

[panraven]

[paul44]

@Corroder: my bad, but not quite there... yet. the image in question sits at the front; meaning as soon as one expands the cheat table (options), they'll "sit/show" behind the picture. I tried also with SendToBack() and some transparency 'options' I had found in other articles; but still no cigar...

btw: another option I will now look into as well, is adding a panel on the left (or right) side (in analogy with 'footer') as done by some trainers. not my preference as it will also increase the gui's window size.

[Corroder]

Here, put script on AA script. I added a button to control the bg image. You can set the transparency too.

[paul44]

^ unless I'm doing something wrong here, the image still sits in front of the addresslist. and opacity is applied to the image itself. even more: the image itself "blocks" access to the cheat_entries (in the back); I suppose that is the reason why you've added the button.
while the code is quite impressive, the solution is not practical from a user perspective. I'm looking for a "solid" (non-obstructive) image in the background, with obviously the addresslist/cheats sitting on top...

fyi: this feature has hardly any added value (cheat-wise), just trying to make it more "appealing" to the user. i'm also active on another gaming forum; and when I suggest to go for a CE table, quite a few of them gamers are reluctant to use it "for it being intimidating" (and I dig that). The CompactView mode (see above link) is already an excellent "appetizer"; the Footer banner great for branding oneself - as I call it - and a background image would be the icing on the cake.
or iow: unless you want to take this on as a challenge, do not go overboard for me. what I'll be doing in the coming weeks - months probably - is revisiting CEF, and reading anything I can find on transparency. and obviously, suggestions are always welcome.
(I'm obviously referring to the amount of code you've presented sofar; can't even imagine the time - research, coding & testing - you've spent on this)

[paul44]

see post midpage: [ https://forum.cheatengine.org/viewtopic.php?p=5638711#5638711 ]

no idea how to try this out (and no ambition nor inclination to learn pascal)... ? that said: addresslist seems to have white background... always...?

ps: tried out referenced examples, but these all apply to the UDF1 form
(stands for...: UserDataForm1 ? <- just guession here)

-EDIT-
evt found '.ClassName' property for each object, starting from main form:
TMainForm ~ ceForm window
TPanel ~ panel1
TAddresslist ~ addresslist
TTreeviewWithScroll ~ addresslist.List
THeaderControl ~ addresslist.Header

Googled for 'TreeviewWithScroll' (which evt gave me 'TreeView Styles and Templates'): .Net stuff; and no idea how this could be "translated" back to CE...