lorddef
asked on
Easy way to display text fullscreen.
Hi People,
Although this question is not about a game, I'm posting it here as I'm guessing that you guys will be able to give me a better answer than any of the other channels.
Basically I'm looking to write an app to display text in fullscreen that can then be displayed on a TV through the TV-out port of a graphics card. The purpose is to display system statistics for a whole bunch of machines. All it needs to do is be able to read a text file and then display the data to the screen, and be capable of rotating through a number of screens to show different statuses.
Can anyone give me any pointers? - I'm guessing the best approach is a simple app in C to read the files - but I'm not sure how I'd then go about displaying the text in fullscreen. Perhaps I could make use of some sort of game engine to do the job?
Cheers.
Although this question is not about a game, I'm posting it here as I'm guessing that you guys will be able to give me a better answer than any of the other channels.
Basically I'm looking to write an app to display text in fullscreen that can then be displayed on a TV through the TV-out port of a graphics card. The purpose is to display system statistics for a whole bunch of machines. All it needs to do is be able to read a text file and then display the data to the screen, and be capable of rotating through a number of screens to show different statuses.
Can anyone give me any pointers? - I'm guessing the best approach is a simple app in C to read the files - but I'm not sure how I'd then go about displaying the text in fullscreen. Perhaps I could make use of some sort of game engine to do the job?
Cheers.
ASKER
Cheers for the response.
I hadn't specified a language as at the moment I'm open to ideas, although I have already ruled out the idea of a php script and a web browser in fullscreen.
A full window windows app sounds like it'd do the job, I've got visual studio here. Any further pointers on this? or should I go off and swat up myself?
I hadn't specified a language as at the moment I'm open to ideas, although I have already ruled out the idea of a php script and a web browser in fullscreen.
A full window windows app sounds like it'd do the job, I've got visual studio here. Any further pointers on this? or should I go off and swat up myself?
Visual Studio 6 or .Net ?
If its .Net, then a sample using C#. Create a new windows application, then in the constructor for the main form add the following:
this.WindowState = FormWindowState.Maximized;
this.FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.None;
this.BackColor = Color.Black;
this.ControlBox = false;
this.Text = "";
This will give you a fullscreen borderless black window. You can then use the objects provided in the System.Drawing namespace to draw shapes, write text, etc.
If its .Net, then a sample using C#. Create a new windows application, then in the constructor for the main form add the following:
this.WindowState = FormWindowState.Maximized;
this.FormBorderStyle = FormBorderStyle.None;
this.BackColor = Color.Black;
this.ControlBox = false;
this.Text = "";
This will give you a fullscreen borderless black window. You can then use the objects provided in the System.Drawing namespace to draw shapes, write text, etc.
ASKER
I only have beta versions of both 6 and .Net 2k5, and I'll have a look at this as soon as I get chance.
Is there anyway I could impliment this so I can maximise the window and have it as above, and restore the window to have it with its boarders?
Cheers for the tips.
Is there anyway I could impliment this so I can maximise the window and have it as above, and restore the window to have it with its boarders?
Cheers for the tips.
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SOLUTION
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DirectX or OpenGL is an option, you won't need anything as complex as a game engine though. You can create a fullscreen device and then just draw text to it.
Alternatively, is a full window Windows app an option ? You can switch off all the borders etc so that it looks like its fullscreen, but you wouldn't have the extra complexity of having to figure out DirectX or OpenGL.