obvious bug..

Title

The link to download OnTopReplica In the project README points to an outdated repository. The release linked is version 3.5.1 from paulodeleo/OnTopReplica, which was last updated 2017-06-13.

The installer should be updated so that it is current with this repository. I propose using Microsoft's official installer solution, which produces an MSI, instead of creating an installer with NSIS.

Suggestions and feedback are welcome.

TODO:

• Fork repository
• Build updated installer as an MSI
• Test installer
• Update README links
• Submit PR
• QA and code review
• Release as v3.6.0

It would be nice to have a shortcut that would lock the window in place and prohibit any interactions with it. So basically it would just display window content normally but mouse whouldn't interact with it whatsoever, instead it would treat space that OTR window occupies as if OTR was not there (untill shortcut is activated again).

Having an issue where my OnTopReplica will not work at all and opens up a note file with the following

System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: Configuration system failed to initialize ---> System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: '.', hexadecimal value 0x00, is an invalid character. Line 15, position 1. (C:\Users\Krish_v97ezyc\AppData\Local\Lorenz_Cuno_Klopfenstein\OnTopReplica.exe_Url_egi52m5aidk1onh4og0tkviyei5d0guz\3.5.1.0\user.config line 15) ---> System.Xml.XmlException: '.', hexadecimal value 0x00, is an invalid character. Line 15, position 1.
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseText(Int32& startPos, Int32& endPos, Int32& outOrChars)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseText()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseElementContent()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Skip()
at System.Configuration.XmlUtil.StrictSkipToNextElement(ExceptionAction action)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ScanSectionsRecursive(XmlUtil xmlUtil, String parentConfigKey, Boolean inLocation, String locationSubPath, OverrideModeSetting overrideMode, Boolean skipInChildApps)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ScanSectionsRecursive(XmlUtil xmlUtil, String parentConfigKey, Boolean inLocation, String locationSubPath, OverrideModeSetting overrideMode, Boolean skipInChildApps)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ScanSections(XmlUtil xmlUtil)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.InitConfigFromFile()
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationSchemaErrors.ThrowIfErrors(Boolean ignoreLocal)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ThrowIfParseErrors(ConfigurationSchemaErrors schemaErrors)
at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)
at System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.OnConfigRemoved(InternalConfigEventArgs e)
at System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.RemoveConfigImpl(String configPath, BaseConfigurationRecord configRecord)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSectionRecursive(String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission, Boolean getRuntimeObject, Boolean requestIsHere, Object& result, Object& resultRuntimeObject)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String configKey)
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.GetSection(String sectionName)
at System.Configuration.ClientSettingsStore.ReadSettings(String sectionName, Boolean isUserScoped)
at System.Configuration.LocalFileSettingsProvider.GetPropertyValues(SettingsContext context, SettingsPropertyCollection properties)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertiesFromProvider(SettingsProvider provider)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertyValueByName(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.GetPropertyValue(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at OnTopReplica.Properties.Settings.get_MustUpdate()
at OnTopReplica.Program.Main(String[] args)

You did say how to fix It in a reply on someone else’s issue but I have tried and unsuccessfully been able to do what you’ve put there for your example is specifically named, also I’m not extremely computer savvy I do not know how to get to the configuration log I do not know how to find this problem and where to look and I do not know how to get rid of it. I have uninstall it on top replica completely and try to re-download and which case it will still give me the same problem if not now it is more of a problem since I cannot retrieve the app or re-download it. It’s hard to believe that there is not a YouTube video about this problem but unfortunately there isn’t and I have looked everywhere I need help desperately on this problem that has become bigger and bigger I need a better Example and clearer explanation on how to get rid of this and a clear explanation on how to get to the configuration log an explanation on where to look for this problem and how to get rid of it needs to be more clear and more simple for I am not very computer savvy, if someone can post s video or something showing how to rid this problem that would be great.

See IDCompositionDevice::CreateSurfaceFromHwnd method.

I'd like to have my zoom-in replicas nice and crisp with those pixels clearly visible.
Would appreciate if it could also automatically set window width/height to x^2.

Is it possible to have a feature like iOS 10/11 has when PiP is moved it docks to one of four corners?

I love this app but I just can't stand the sight of the white borders.

I would like to use the app with the white borders hidden but still be able to resize the window now and then without having to go through a series of steps to do so.

Is it possible to make the border transparent? If not, is it possible to set a keyboard shortcut to quickly toggle the border?

Thanks in advance

Hello!
First of all, not all languages from the "OnTopReplica" folder are present in the language selection menu.
Even if the .dll file from the "RU" folder is moved to the "DE" folder, and the German language is selected in the settings, the program will still start in English.
I apologize for the curve English, it's all google translate;)

Image To Type 2.4 is very strict, when it opens start with maximized/full screen without any windows title bar/menu. Disables all the short-cuts. It has disabled almost any possibility to use modern innovation and stubborn to go back to the stone age by not even allowed to open any other app.
I just want to see some other text file while typing in it.
Will be glad if some can fix.

when I enable click through I'm not able to move my window to another position nor open the options menu is there a way to do it without closing and reopening the software?!

Would find it useful for position locks in the centre of the top, bottom, left and right parts of the screen

Hi,

I've attempted to make OnTopReplica click-forward to Java, but couldn't get it to work, and was wondering if it's because of some weird interactions it could have with the internals of the Java program (not Java itself, or the JVM, etc.), so I tested it out with the simplest, ugliest GUI I could make in a minute or two:

SMALL EDIT: I am running Windows 10, and tried it on my Windows 7 machine, both with the same results. Although I could easily get it working when I tested it on Windows Explorer, etc.

https://pastebin.com/n8epFtGW

(Basically, a button, that increments the "count" variable, and a label to show what value is in "count")

This did not work, and I was wondering if there is a solution to this, or it's just tough luck? And is there any other alternative (couldn't find anything near the extent of OnTopReplica, and its workings (specifically Click-forwarding based))?

Best Regards

It would be nice to have a tooltip with windows' names.

I hibernate my laptop every night. Unfortunately, upon booting in the morning, any OTR windows/instances I've left open are reverted to black with "Right click here to start" and I need to re-select the target window AND region.

Happy to provide additional information or help with testing as needed. Have not yet seen what happens if I use "Sleep" instead of "Hibernate."

Tried this with both the .exe and .msi installers. Both notify that they need .net framework 4.7 but then proceed to download .net framework 4.6.1

Installation cannot be completed unless .net framework is manually downloaded and installed.

Tried to position OnTopReplica with a shortcut on a second monitor.
--position=X,Y doesn't support --position=-X,Y
need a fix

Check out Aero Glass for Win10 (pre-Redstone 4) and Acrylic Blur (post-Redstone 4), by @riverar.

Hi
Often have a number of Replica windows open with different regions saved of the same program. However whenever i save the region and close Replica (say i have 3 Replicas open and restart the PC), it only remembers a random single position, not the 3 or 4 ones i have saved previously!

Am i missing something, or can this not be done?

See issue originally reported in CodePlex: https://ontopreplica.codeplex.com/workitem/81

My steps:

1. Set up region, save & name
2. Use all day with no problem
3. Hibernate laptop at night
4. Wake laptop in the morning and the OTR instance has lost its associated region AND I do not see the supposedly saved region anywhere in order to reapply it. The only region option in the dropdown for the same desired window (with previously "saved" region) is "whole."

Happy to provide further info (perhaps a fancy Windows "Problem Steps Recorder" thingie?) or help with troubleshooting/testing as needed.

Your program is a great tool and it's extremely useful when making digital drawings.
But I have one suggestion that I'd like to make, would you consider adding a mirror and/or flipped option?
Some drawing tools like Sai include mirroring so that the user can get a change of perspective, but not all software includes that feature, so it would be a huge plus to be able to do that with a section of window.
Just a recommendation. :)

I primarily use OTR to watch Netflix while playing games (in fullscreen windowed of course). I have OTR set to 100% opacity and in click through mode so I can play the game without accidentally clicking OTR. Sometimes though, OTR will become partially transparent (looks like 75% opacity maybe) when the cursor passes behind it, even though the game still has focus - I am unsure if this is an intentional feature or not, and it is inconsistent. Some days it happens many times in a short span of time, other days I can use it for an hour without experiencing this issue. Not a major issue by any means, but it's annoying when my show repeatedly becomes transparent while I'm watching it.

Summary: I want OTR to stay 100% opacity always, sometimes it will not do so.

I know that this request isn't easy to implement but I will suggest it regardless due to the huge demand for it.

Context:
Streamers on Twitch use OBS to stream games but also have a need to read the Twitch chat to interact with their viewers. There is currently only one paid app that I know of that allows the streamer to read the chat as an overlay on top of the game and it is called PlayClaw.
It is a good program and it get's the job done but it is quite heavy since it is a full program for streaming.

Having the program accept a browser source link similar to the example bellow would be very beneficial to a lot of people:

I understand that this is going to require a lot of work and expansion but I am suggesting it in case there is an interest from the developers.

hello,

it works with other games, but not with Euro Truck Simulator 2, any help?

It would be great if the previews could stick to each other (grouping) or even other windows.

I often have 7+ windows open at once and it would make this program perfect if I could simply save it so I could launch all of them and they would remember their positions the last time I closed them as well as what window they were watching and where. If this is easily doable I'd love to have support for it.

Is there any way that you could begin to support full screen applications/games? At the moment OnTopReplica will only work with Windowed Fullscreen mode.

Show HN: Fenêtre – Picture-in-picture for your mac
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15410725

Some interesting additional features, such as partially disappearing when the mouse comes through.

Mac alternatives listed (maybe link from your README?):
https://github.com/JadenGeller/Helium
https://xn--fent-ipa.re/

I am having an issue where I am trying to use this program to show twitch chat while I stream No Man's Sky. The problem I am having is the window will be on top until I tab back into NMS then it disappears. I have tried this with FullScreen mode and Windowed Borderless mode. Neither work.

Hello,

I am using OTR to force some windows on top that cannot be made on top with any other application.

One such window is Windows' own Resource Manager that OTR is able to display, but unfortunately it does not allow click-forwarding. Maybe this could be solved, so that the original window could be minimized out of the way?

There are seem to be window types that OTR does not catch at all. One such example is the sensors window of HWInfo. This is another program that does not come with its own "always on top" function, so OTR could help out once it is able to detect HWInfo's window.

Thanks and regards.

Request: Add a resizing in pixels like the region select. Up/Down arrows and all that jazz.

Request: "Don't allow this window to become active" Checkbox

Bug: Ran into a bug where the click through doesn't do anything because it makes the game no longer the active window. The above should fix this.

It'd be nice to be able to overlay an image file with optional stretching with transparency instead of a window capture.

See #9: pixel-based window resizing with a UI similar to the region-selection tool. Key shortcuts could also be used (up/down arrows).

i use this for when im playing my MMOs but its hard to watch my netflix with how much my mouse runs through the window so id like to make it less opaque when this happens plz tell me how thanks

Hello,
first to tell that this program is incredible.I am using to view a specific window ,in a specific region, I need when starts OnTopReplica to clone specific windows(alredy done this), in specific region , but it clones whole window, so my question is Is it possible to be done when starts to clone the window in saved region ? I have done it when it starts to clone the window that i want but i cant make it to open and region.
Thanks in Advance.

Temporarily disable click-through mode when a modified key is pressed (shift/alt?).

This would be useful for example, Youtube videos that have been stretched, you could use it to unstretch them to 4:3 from 16:9.

You would probably implement this by adding a checkbox in settings saying "Maintain Aspect Ratio" which would be enabled by default.

When unticked, users can scale the window X and Y independent of one another with the video being scaled horizontally or vertically in accordance with the stretch.

Click forwarding doesn't do anything on some installations. Currently running Windows 10.

I have been having it reoccurring problem with on top replica in which it will not run the software it keeps giving me this dump file that I have gone in and deleted the listed name under the user several times in the software will still not run I do not know how to fix this I do not know if what I’m doing is correct I do not know how to look at the configuration logs or files do delete the right file. Below is what it keeps telling me in the file that pops up...

OnTopReplica Dump file
This file has been created because OnTopReplica crashed.
Please send it to [email protected] to help fix the bug that caused the crash.

Last exception:
System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: Configuration system failed to initialize ---> System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: '.', hexadecimal value 0x00, is an invalid character. Line 15, position 1. (C:\Users\Max Houston\AppData\Local\Lorenz_Cuno_Klopfenstein\OnTopReplica.exe_Url_khr4meaaowlk3gsw3kk45kduxnbvm1sn\3.5.1.0\user.config line 15) ---> System.Xml.XmlException: '.', hexadecimal value 0x00, is an invalid character. Line 15, position 1.
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseText(Int32& startPos, Int32& endPos, Int32& outOrChars)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseText()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseElementContent()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Skip()
at System.Configuration.XmlUtil.StrictSkipToNextElement(ExceptionAction action)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ScanSectionsRecursive(XmlUtil xmlUtil, String parentConfigKey, Boolean inLocation, String locationSubPath, OverrideModeSetting overrideMode, Boolean skipInChildApps)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ScanSectionsRecursive(XmlUtil xmlUtil, String parentConfigKey, Boolean inLocation, String locationSubPath, OverrideModeSetting overrideMode, Boolean skipInChildApps)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ScanSections(XmlUtil xmlUtil)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.InitConfigFromFile()
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationSchemaErrors.ThrowIfErrors(Boolean ignoreLocal)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ThrowIfParseErrors(ConfigurationSchemaErrors schemaErrors)
at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)
at System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.OnConfigRemoved(InternalConfigEventArgs e)
at System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.RemoveConfigImpl(String configPath, BaseConfigurationRecord configRecord)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSectionRecursive(String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission, Boolean getRuntimeObject, Boolean requestIsHere, Object& result, Object& resultRuntimeObject)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String configKey)
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.GetSection(String sectionName)
at System.Configuration.ClientSettingsStore.ReadSettings(String sectionName, Boolean isUserScoped)
at System.Configuration.LocalFileSettingsProvider.GetPropertyValues(SettingsContext context, SettingsPropertyCollection properties)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertiesFromProvider(SettingsProvider provider)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertyValueByName(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.GetPropertyValue(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at OnTopReplica.Properties.Settings.get_MustUpdate()
at OnTopReplica.Program.Main(String[] args)

OnTopReplica v.3.5.1.0
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 6.2.9200.0
.NET: 4.0.30319.42000
DWM: True
Launch command: "C:\Users\Max Houston\AppData\Local\OnTopReplica\OnTopReplica.exe"
UTC time: 1/5/2018 12:20 PM

I’ve done everything that I know of to do I’ve looked up videos unfortunately there are no videos onto how to fix this problem which is unbelievable I cannot believe nobody has had this problem before and has it posted a video about it but this is a very annoying problem and I cannot seem to get around it I cannot seem to fix it I have even uninstalled on top replica completely several times and nothing seems to work if anyone could post a small video and or very simple and very very easy instructions on how to fix this that would be much appreciated thank you.

I think it would be nice to add a Chroma option to apply to the image, per example, when used on a chat window, I could remove the background to only see the text on top of my game.

Hi, loving your program so far. The only issue I've encountered is that the program doesn't stay on top of the taskbar on certain occasions. I'm using OnTopReplica to display lyrics from a music program that I use. I wanted to place it over my taskbar so it wouldn't get in the way of other programs.

Every time I hover over an icon in the taskbar, the thumbnail preview shows up and the entire taskbar is brought to the front. Also, it (seemingly) randomly disappears behind the taskbar when clicking on the taskbar itself.

Title.
All other options are unaffected.
This happens when using the keyboard shortcut to Hide and then using it again to Show.
It is really annoying to have to set the options every time

In select windows the windows 10 icons not shown also it showing closed windows 10 apps

Add keyboard shortcuts for changing opacity.

Pascowl on Codeplex:

My opinion for shortcuts is for %90 is "CTRL+9", for %80 is "CTRL+8" etc. or one by on with "+,-" keyboard shortcuts you can add for the shortcuts. It's your choice! :) Thanks for everything!

Just playing around with the program, noticed that the mouse cursor isn't actually displayed in the replicated window. Could you make a checkbox for that?

Thanks for your time.

New Windows.Graphics.Capture APIs. Perhaps for a radical new implementation based on UWP.

Hello, I have been a frequent user of ontopreplica over the past year and I love your software. However, recently I have been unable to launch it, if I click the short cut I get this error

`OnTopReplica Dump file
This file has been created because OnTopReplica crashed.
Please send it to [email protected] to help fix the bug that caused the crash.

Last exception:
System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: Configuration system failed to initialize ---> System.Configuration.ConfigurationErrorsException: '.', hexadecimal value 0x00, is an invalid character. Line 15, position 1. (C:\Users\Krish_v97ezyc\AppData\Local\Lorenz_Cuno_Klopfenstein\OnTopReplica.exe_Url_egi52m5aidk1onh4og0tkviyei5d0guz\3.5.1.0\user.config line 15) ---> System.Xml.XmlException: '.', hexadecimal value 0x00, is an invalid character. Line 15, position 1.
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Throw(Exception e)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseText(Int32& startPos, Int32& endPos, Int32& outOrChars)
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseText()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.ParseElementContent()
at System.Xml.XmlTextReaderImpl.Skip()
at System.Configuration.XmlUtil.StrictSkipToNextElement(ExceptionAction action)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ScanSectionsRecursive(XmlUtil xmlUtil, String parentConfigKey, Boolean inLocation, String locationSubPath, OverrideModeSetting overrideMode, Boolean skipInChildApps)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ScanSectionsRecursive(XmlUtil xmlUtil, String parentConfigKey, Boolean inLocation, String locationSubPath, OverrideModeSetting overrideMode, Boolean skipInChildApps)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ScanSections(XmlUtil xmlUtil)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.InitConfigFromFile()
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationSchemaErrors.ThrowIfErrors(Boolean ignoreLocal)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.ThrowIfParseErrors(ConfigurationSchemaErrors schemaErrors)
at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at System.Configuration.ClientConfigurationSystem.OnConfigRemoved(Object sender, InternalConfigEventArgs e)
at System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.OnConfigRemoved(InternalConfigEventArgs e)
at System.Configuration.Internal.InternalConfigRoot.RemoveConfigImpl(String configPath, BaseConfigurationRecord configRecord)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSectionRecursive(String configKey, Boolean getLkg, Boolean checkPermission, Boolean getRuntimeObject, Boolean requestIsHere, Object& result, Object& resultRuntimeObject)
at System.Configuration.BaseConfigurationRecord.GetSection(String configKey)
at System.Configuration.ConfigurationManager.GetSection(String sectionName)
at System.Configuration.ClientSettingsStore.ReadSettings(String sectionName, Boolean isUserScoped)
at System.Configuration.LocalFileSettingsProvider.GetPropertyValues(SettingsContext context, SettingsPropertyCollection properties)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertiesFromProvider(SettingsProvider provider)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.GetPropertyValueByName(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.SettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.GetPropertyValue(String propertyName)
at System.Configuration.ApplicationSettingsBase.get_Item(String propertyName)
at OnTopReplica.Properties.Settings.get_MustUpdate()
at OnTopReplica.Program.Main(String[] args)

OnTopReplica v.3.5.1.0
OS: Microsoft Windows NT 6.2.9200.0
.NET: 4.0.30319.42000
DWM: True`

If I try running as admin from a standard user account, I do not even recieve a dump file, it simply does not launch. The only way the software runs is if I install it on an admin-level account, and run it on that account. Please fix this issue, thank you!
OnTopReplica-dump-201767-161.txt