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How do I read data under the cursor in Windows?

When you have no access to an application written in Windows, there may still be a need to "read" information under the cursor. Of course, the data is in pixel form and would need to be converted to character format when the cursor is not over a picture.

I have noticed that there are a few applications that can "magnify" the pixels under the cursor within their application (such as SnagIt! from TechSmith. I recall several other programs that create a "magnifying glass" as a cursor to "Zoom in" while using a floating cursor.

My goal is to create an application that remains external to any specific Windows application, but has the capability of "grabbing" a block of pixels when the right mouse button is used. (if the application uses the right mouse button, I may need to find a way to activate the "grab" function some other way).

Anyone a detailed Windows person that can help me create the "cursor capture" function?

rcarlan

First of all, you'll have to install a mouse hook to get mouse messages while the mouse cursor is over a window belonging to another process.

Secondly, to copy a portion of the screen, you need to get the screen DC - i.e. GetDC(NULL), and BitBlt from it to a memory DC compatible with the screen DC.

Radu

rushtoshankar

Try these piece of code.

void CClrFndrDlg::OnLButtonDown(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)
{
// say m_static is a label.
// if the user clicks the that label we ready to read the pixel under the mouse cursor.
CRect rect;
m_static.GetWindowRect(&rect);
ClientToScreen(&point);
if (IsInside(&rect, point)) // check whether mouse is clicked inside the label
{
SetCapture();
m_bTrackingMouse = true;
}
CDialog::OnLButtonDown(nFlags, point);
}

void CClrFndrDlg::OnLButtonUp(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)
{
if (m_bTrackingMouse)
{
ReleaseCapture();
m_bTracking = false;
}
CDialog::OnLButtonUp(nFlags, point);
}

void CClrFndrDlg::OnMouseMove(UINT nFlags, CPoint point)
{
CString szString;
POINT pt;

if (m_bTrackingMouse)
{
            GetCursorPos(&pt);
            // display the position of the mouse
            szString.Format ("%d, %d", pt.x, pt.y);
            m_editCursorPosition.SetWindowText((LPCTSTR)szString);

            CDC *pDesktopHandle = CDC::FromHandle ( ::GetDCEx(NULL, NULL, 0));
            m_colCurrent = pDesktopHandle->GetPixel(pt);

            BYTE byRed = GetRValue(m_colCurrent);
            BYTE byGreen = GetGValue(m_colCurrent);
            BYTE byBlue = GetBValue(m_colCurrent);

            // display the pixel color under the mouse
            szString.Format("%02x, %02x, %02x", byRed, byGreen, byBlue);
            m_editRGBValue.SetWindowText((LPCTSTR)szString);

            // release all dc handles
            ReleaseDC(pDesktopHandle);
      }
CDialog::OnMouseMove(nFlags, point);
}

Hope this will help.

DSIGRIS

ASKER

This looks great. I have no idea how the code could be compiled and executed as a program. Is this code meant to be placed inside of a Visual Basic program, or is it meant to be used in conjunction with a lower level language such as Java?

Since I am a beginner in the area of programming at lower level codes (I have only done a few programs in VB), I presume I should begin studying an appropriate language for this kind of processes. Can you recommend documentation or study course that I might take to work on programs at this level?

rcarlan

code sample is C++ & MFC

DSIGRIS

ASKER

I know what C++ looks like, but I do know what MFC does. Can you elaborate?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

rcarlan

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