fasm Posted September 12, 2016 Share Posted September 12, 2016 (edited) It took a little investigating to find a pdf viewer that supported both full-screen [upon opening] and a minimal footprint (sorry new Foxit reader versions). It turns out SumatraPDF does all of this with a few quick settings to set. Download (installer / portable zip , 32-bit / 64-bit ) I used the portable version. Put it somewhere you don't mind making it's permanent home. Run it once to create the necessary settings config file. Open the SumatraPDF-settings plain-text config file. Ensure the following settings are set: Set Esc key to escape the program EscToExit = true Under "FixedPageUI"... comment out the background line to turn off what is essentially a colored overlay on the pdf #BackgroundColor = #ffffff The only way to set the actual background behind the pdf is to set the following. I set a slight gradient but a single black #000000 can be set as well. GradientColors = #111111 #000000 A single whole page at a time as the default view DefaultDisplayMode = single page Set fullscreen as the default WindowState = 3 Obviously you'll need to set this as your default PDF viewer. This isn't tremendously difficult, but I'm sure others are looking for a possible solution to a front-end "hands-off"-ish manual viewing in BigBox. Esc is then set for exiting and the arrow keys will change pages. Set these with your controller(s) and your front-end solution should be good until there's a local pdf solution. Edited September 12, 2016 by fasm 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eirulan Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 This works very well, thank you for this tip. In Windows 10 you have to manually set the file association to *.pdf, because Windows 10 automatically resets it after Sumatra's installation... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOS76 Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 I like to use CDDisplayEX as my PDF reader it also is a .cbr and .cbz comic book reader. Unfortunately there is no controller support and dev hasn't replied to my request despite the thread having over 450 views in the last two months. There is a checkbox in the installer that needs to be checked to not install some crapware the dev foolishly decided to bundle with the application but it is totally safe despite that. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xBJx Posted September 17, 2016 Share Posted September 17, 2016 Very nice...samutra is open source too...perfert for implementing with lb..what version are you using?...the latest version doesn't seem to have the gradiant option in the settings file. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fasm Posted September 18, 2016 Author Share Posted September 18, 2016 (edited) 2 hours ago, xBJx said: Very nice...samutra is open source too...perfert for implementing with lb..what version are you using?...the latest version doesn't seem to have the gradiant option in the settings file. I'm using the newest version (3.1.2.0). Gradient isn't an option that is in there by default, but it is something you can add yourself. Edited September 18, 2016 by fasm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xBJx Posted September 23, 2016 Share Posted September 23, 2016 Kk cool thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlansix Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 I saw this a few days ago and figured I'd see if I can't find us a better solution. I hacked up a quick prototype pdf reader, specifically for big box, that opens full screen automatically, has no menus whatsoever, accepts controller and keyboard input and has a configurable escape key/controller sequence. Lemme know if there's any interest, i'll put a bit of shine on it and upload it. @fasm, i'll delete this and post a new thread if you prefer :). Don't want to hijack your thread. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOS76 Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 definitely sounds interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddoc1007 Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 @Vlansix definately interested as well especially if it accepts controller input Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlansix Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Cool. I'll need a few days as I've got a few things on the go right now, but i'll put some shine on the prototype and put it up. What I'm thinking is - Left thumbstick = scroll / pan, right thumbstick = zoom in/out, and then configurable exit key. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddoc1007 Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 @Vlansix sounds really cool no hurry and thank you once again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charco Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 Sounds great. I wonder could your code for this and the other app to hide the mouse cursor in Demul be incorporated into a future release? @Jason Carr, could this be possible? Two great additions to the user experience if you ask me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spektor56 Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 PDF should be implemented in LB using a library like PDFium rather than just opening the file in whatever PDF viewer the user has installed, gives much more control to lb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlansix Posted October 19, 2016 Share Posted October 19, 2016 (edited) @Charco - we've already discussed that, and it,s a bit too dangerous to do that. There is the possibility that the cursor doesn't get shown again after being hidden, and... well, that would be very bad for launchbox :). Might also get flagged by AV programs as... well, nothing is supposed to change the global cursor like that. @spektor56 - It's probably something on Jason's to-do list already, but if it's not, add it to BitBucket :). I'll just make something that patches the problem with duct tape and love for now ;). Edited October 19, 2016 by Vlansix 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fasm Posted October 20, 2016 Author Share Posted October 20, 2016 (edited) 14 hours ago, Vlansix said: I saw this a few days ago and figured I'd see if I can't find us a better solution. I hacked up a quick prototype pdf reader, specifically for big box, that opens full screen automatically, has no menus whatsoever, accepts controller and keyboard input and has a configurable escape key/controller sequence. Lemme know if there's any interest, i'll put a bit of shine on it and upload it. @fasm, i'll delete this and post a new thread if you prefer :). Don't want to hijack your thread. I have no problem with it, but it might make more sense to make a new thread for your project as not to muddy the subject of this topic. People won't have to sift through my thread to find your project. Might I suggest left and right to change pages and up and down to come in and out. Not everyone has two thumbsticks, everyone should at the very least have one means for all 4 directions. Edited October 20, 2016 by fasm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaysArcade Posted December 31, 2016 Share Posted December 31, 2016 On 9/14/2016 at 9:49 AM, DOS76 said: I like to use CDDisplayEX as my PDF reader it also is a .cbr and .cbz comic book reader. Unfortunately there is no controller support and dev hasn't replied to my request despite the thread having over 450 views in the last two months. There is a checkbox in the installer that needs to be checked to not install some crapware the dev foolishly decided to bundle with the application but it is totally safe despite that. This is what I use as well. Works great on my cabinet with arcade controls. Can use the trackball if I need it to do anything special - zoom in/out, etc but joystick navigation seems to be OK on my end with I-pac controller. I don't use gamepads for this function. I'm currently creating a magazines platform using CDisplayEX as the emulator. Already spliced together a video from some Metal Jesus Rocks videos I downloaded and worked them into a platform video. Vids of him flipping through various retro gaming mags with some OCremix background music I added. I would share, but without his Holiness's permission probably best I keep to myself, LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTRL-ALT-DEFEAT Posted January 1, 2017 Share Posted January 1, 2017 On 10/19/2016 at 3:03 PM, Charco said: Sounds great. I wonder could your code for this and the other app to hide the mouse cursor in Demul be incorporated into a future release? @Jason Carr, could this be possible? Two great additions to the user experience if you ask me. I use the program here to auto-hide my mouse cursor, so it might be of interest to you. http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/autohidemousecursor-hide-the-mouse-cursor/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teeedubb Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 @Vlansix Did you ever end up releasing your pdf viewer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zombeaver Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 On 10/19/2016 at 3:50 PM, Vlansix said: Cool. I'll need a few days as I've got a few things on the go right now, but i'll put some shine on the prototype and put it up. What I'm thinking is - Left thumbstick = scroll / pan, right thumbstick = zoom in/out, and then configurable exit key. Did you ever upload this anywhere? I'm definitely interested in this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mute64 Posted March 15, 2017 Share Posted March 15, 2017 (edited) On 12/09/2016 at 3:03 PM, fasm said: It took a little investigating to find a pdf viewer that supported both full-screen [upon opening] and a minimal footprint (sorry new Foxit reader versions). It turns out SumatraPDF does all of this with a few quick settings to set. Download (installer / portable zip , 32-bit / 64-bit ) I used the portable version. Put it somewhere you don't mind making it's permanent home. Run it once to create the necessary settings config file. Open the SumatraPDF-settings plain-text config file. Ensure the following settings are set: Set Esc key to escape the program EscToExit = true Under "FixedPageUI"... comment out the background line to turn off what is essentially a colored overlay on the pdf #BackgroundColor = #ffffff The only way to set the actual background behind the pdf is to set the following. I set a slight gradient but a single black #000000 can be set as well. GradientColors = #111111 #000000 A single whole page at a time as the default view DefaultDisplayMode = single page Set fullscreen as the default WindowState = 3 Obviously you'll need to set this as your default PDF viewer. This isn't tremendously difficult, but I'm sure others are looking for a possible solution to a front-end "hands-off"-ish manual viewing in BigBox. Esc is then set for exiting and the arrow keys will change pages. Set these with your controller(s) and your front-end solution should be good until there's a local pdf solution. I also have a fullscreen pdf viewer program installed.... so when i open my PDF's they open in fullscreen i can then zoom in,turn pages and exit with my controller as i have a controller compainion profile for the viewer... its definitely a nice touch to big box. Here it is. http://www.cdisplayex.com Edited March 15, 2017 by Mute64 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.