Transparent Overlay GUI

[clappingman]

I need to create an application that has a GUI that is present over another fullscreen application. I also need a way to 'capture' some inputs and allow other inputs to the underlying program.
In essence I need to know what packages I should be looking at to do with, and to capture parts of focus, while letting other parts through. I have thought about merely taking either the keyboard or mouse, and letting the other through to the underneath program. Anyway I'm not sure how to prevent the other program from stealing focus all the time.
Oh yeah, and if it makes a difference, I'm using windows.

[sjalle]

This sounds like a GlassPane. Check out this link:

http://www.javareference.com/jrexamp...mple.jsp?id=44

[clappingman]

Would that work over a seperate application though? Keep in mind that the background application I'm building this over is completely seperate, and unfortunately closed source.

[sjalle]

Then intercepting this apps events/messages would be impossible. I think what you want to make is an extended emulator....or an interface hack of some sort.

[BlumRainer]

Currently, I'm using a custom shaped window implemented with .NET - providing completely transparent and opaque areas. .NET also allows to define a certain degree of transparency, but only for one color at a time. Both is not flexible enough for me and furthermore, the latter leads to a flickering display.

Did you find another solution in the meantime?