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steamexpress211 In reply to badfight [2023-09-09 05:02:02 +0000 UTC]

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B4D-W0LF In reply to maxdevv [2021-01-04 11:16:28 +0000 UTC]

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MrSliceTheNinja In reply to PhenixMightheart [2014-11-01 22:32:53 +0000 UTC]

Like Synthezia....

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PhenixMightheart In reply to MrSliceTheNinja [2014-11-03 17:05:47 +0000 UTC]

yeah like 
Synthezia....

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ImperfectlyAdorkable In reply to Morithil [2013-01-24 10:29:51 +0000 UTC]

Yes, it is possible. I omitted the capability in PIANO on purpose. However, I suppose if enough support for the idea is rallied, I can be persuaded to incorporate it into a future PIANO release. At the moment, it's not something I'm working on doing. My apologies.

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ImperfectlyAdorkable In reply to Que-Lastima [2013-01-12 06:59:35 +0000 UTC]

It is. You can. I agree.

In addition, since this is the first Piano for Rainmeter, it has its share of flaws. For example, Rainmeter doesn't allow for multiple sound files to be played simultaneously. This is detrimental when playing sound files in succession. Tap the same key on the PIANO repeatedly (fast) and you'll understand. As it stands, I can play almost any score without a greatly noticeable impairment caused by Rainmeter's lack of (good) audio support — Für Elise sounds lovely on the PIANO by the way. I can't play the PIANO very quickly however. Because I have to use the mouse to navigate, my tempo is kept at a brisk pace and not an overwhelmingly rapid one. In my opinion, without proper audio support provided by the Rainmeter application itself, a keyboard might cause more harm than good; at least considering how things stand at this moment in time. I wait for the day I can play chords on the PIANO and hear the keys ring out in succession without cutting each other off mid-stroke.

Also, most people (regular people) have trouble with things like setting the time on the microwave and installing an online application without clicking yes to every toolbar and add-on offered during installation. I wouldn't expect most people to be willing to configure AutoHotKey on their own volition — a pre-set would be nice to have I think. As I've never heard of it myself, I can only speculate. At a glance however, it seems you're given the capabilities to catalog mouse positions and actions, among other varying functions. If this is the case however, it would have to be individualized to each person due to the differences in screen resolutions and PIANO placement. Now, don't misunderstand, I absolutely love the idea. I'm just not 100% certain as to what can be done with the notion for practicality's sake.

If you would like to create and distribute a method for playing the PIANO via keyboard, which includes the re-packaging of my skin, you have my blessing as I refer you to disclaimer (3). On a side note, I would love to see this being done despite the detriments explained in paragraph 2 of this response. I would merely like to make it understood that any drawbacks associated to the keyboard method of PIANO operation are not due to any design flaws of the PIANO itself. Furthermore, this is not a course of action I see myself pursuing until Rainmeter implements improved audio support in their application. In short, no one should expect PIANO (released by myself) to support keyboard functions, either now or in the future.

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Digital-Jedi In reply to ImperfectlyAdorkable [2013-01-28 09:00:21 +0000 UTC]

On the subject of the notes cutting each other off while playing-- Deep in the recesses of Omnino there's a small piano tile that has almost two octives you can play. I didn't notice any cut off with that keyboard like I did with Piano when I first played it, and the only difference I can ascertain is that the note plays AFTER you've lifted your mouse button away from the key, rather than on depression. That wouldn't seem like it would make a difference, but it seems to give you a split second extra before the next key cuts off the sound of previous key, making for more fluid sound. However, that would probably impact the animation effect you have, since keys wouldn't make noise on depression along with the animation. Not sure if it would be noticable or not, since that Omnimo tile isn't that full featured. Wasn't sure if you were already familiar with that tile, but thought I'd turn you onto it.

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ImperfectlyAdorkable In reply to Digital-Jedi [2013-01-29 00:16:33 +0000 UTC]

Actually the PIANO notes are set to play on the Mouse-Down action, not the Mouse-Up action. So press a key and keep your mouse button down, and you'll still be able to hear the note. The Key-Up animation however, is tethered to the Mouse-Up action. It doesn't affect the performance, but it does provide for fluid animation.

Here's a sample of the coding on PIANO (LeftMouseDownAction=!Execute [PLAY KEY(1).wav][!RainmeterHideMeter KEY_A0][!RainmeterShowMeter ALT_A0][!RainmeterRedraw])(LeftMouseUpAction=!Execute [!RainmeterHideMeter ALT_A0][!RainmeterShowMeter KEY_A0][!RainmeterRedraw]).

Also, I find that when my RAM or CPU resources are being eaten up, that I have problems with being able to play PIANO properly. Notes are noticeably cutoff, or delayed. A quick and simple fix for this, besides shutting down background system programs, is to go to your Task Manager utility and give the Rainmeter process a higher priority. I hope that helps.

On the subject of the Omnimo piano tile you mentioned however, I'd have to say that I've never installed or even looked at the Omnimo skin suit. I know it exists, and it's popular, but it has not drawn my attention as of yet. If you would be so kind as to give me a more detailed explanation of how I can get to this piano tile within the recesses of Omnimo, I'd be glad to give it a look over.

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Digital-Jedi In reply to ImperfectlyAdorkable [2013-02-04 21:59:43 +0000 UTC]

Sure thing. It's technically part of one of his official add-on packs. [link] The one called Fun/Facts. After you install it, (presuming you already have Omnimo) you go to Ominmo's + menu (either the one that preloads with default skin, or the one in the Sidebar) and select Panels. There it should show up on page 2 of 3, in the section called Installed Panels.

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ImperfectlyAdorkable In reply to Digital-Jedi [2013-02-05 20:31:47 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for pointing me the right direction. I did take the time to look over the Omnimo Piano tile. I must say however, there is nothing different about it that differentiates it from the PIANO in terms of coded functionality. I believe I understand why you might have fallen under the impression that there was though. The .wav files used for the Omnimo Piano tile are minimalistic to say the least. They're both very short and lacking in quality. Which is great for instant gratification of a seamless rendition of Old McDonald, but... it's not exactly my style. What separates those .wav files from the ones in PIANO is the quality. PIANO just delivers a much higher standard of quality. The PIANO notes are 3 second sound captures of fully delivered key strokes. PIANO's key strokes do not begin the exact instant the key is pressed either, but a minuscule fraction of a second afterwards (however, fast enough to be heard before you've lifted your mouse button). This was implemented to mimic the timing it took the hammer mechanism on a real piano to strike against the piano strings. The keys are sharp too, so that by the time the next key is struck (and cutoff) the bulk of the note has been delivered and any impairment due to notes being cut short mid-stroke via fast Piano playing would be minimized. In any case, I hope that helped. There was a lot of forethought put into the PIANO, and sadly it's not perfect. I did attempt my best however. I can assure you and the rest of the community that if I could do a better job at delivering a better skin, I would. This is the closest thing to the ideal virtual Piano that I could manufacture on Rainmeter. If you're still having trouble with the PIANO, please follow my advice in my previous reply regarding your task manager. Thank you.

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Que-Lastima In reply to ImperfectlyAdorkable [2013-01-13 18:54:17 +0000 UTC]

You've correctly assessed the drawbacks and limitations. That said, what made you choose to use Rainmeter for PIANO?

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ImperfectlyAdorkable In reply to Que-Lastima [2013-01-14 06:28:58 +0000 UTC]

I'm a fan of Rainmeter. I'm also capable at coding Rainmeter to suit my own needs — from time to time I'll tweak existing Rainmeter skins for personal use. On another note, I also play the Piano. PIANO just so happened to coalesce from my desire to play the Piano and my knowledge-base of Rainmeter which allowed me to come to the realization that it was possible to create a virtual Piano for Rainmeter despite the drawbacks I explained in the previous post. I've played virtual Pianos before, and that might have influenced my decision as well. I can't say. I will say however that I was surprised at the lack of any existing Pianos for Rainmeter. I hope that the creation of PIANO will spark the creation of many more innovative Piano skins.

If you were asking though, why I chose a program with such drawbacks (Rainmeter) to create a virtual Piano with, well... I didn't choose it. It's what I had at the time. I don't use any other programs even remotely similar to Rainmeter. I'm also not going to program a virtual Piano in C#. PIANO for Rainmeter was just the result of me doing what I could with what I had at the time. I suppose that's a very short and simple way to describe it. I wish I could go on for pages about the process of creating the PIANO. But I won't bore you with that. I hope this answered your question.

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Morithil In reply to Digital-Jedi [2013-01-23 19:24:44 +0000 UTC]

Just install the beta and you will be fine.

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