using a mask with a dynamically moving image "under" the mask

[Mor3bane]

Hi, I am trying to create an image meter that is partially hidden by a mask that does not move.

The image is meant to move right as a dynamically fetched string of almost any length controls the visible portion of the image's position. The mask would need to remain static so it would appear that the image is growing wider to accommodate the string's dynamic length.

Another problem I have is I dont know how to create such a mask. I know it is based on having an alpha channel. But how that actually works has got me stumped as well.

Mesh11.png

The mask would be positioned initially so that another image would reside "over" the mask as a visible image that makes the left appear to be generally round in shape to start with.

Thanks for any help.

[balala]

Post please what you have so far (the mask, the image, the code of the skin with the measure(s) which return(s) the string and so on).

[Mor3bane]

I have since realised that I do not need a mask.
Instead, I have been working on using ImageCrop.
This is the baseline for my image.

Code: Select all

[Mesh11Mask]
Meter=Image
ImageName=#@#Mesh11.png
ImageCrop=84,0,123,156,1
X=1688
Y=556
W=123
H=156

For my idea to work, I will need to figure out the formulas for the 2 X parameters to dynamically change according to the Text length of a string meter.

The formulas however are beyond my math ability at this stage.
This is how I imagine what it might look like:

Code: Select all

[Mesh11Mask]
Meter=Image
ImageName=#@#Mesh11.png
ImageCrop=[CalcFormulaA],0,123,156,1
X=[CalcFormulaB]
Y=556
W=123
H=156

[Mor3bane]

So, both X values would increase as both more of the image was revealed, and how far to the right the X coordinate of the image has to move to accommodate the increased reveal of the image.

Does that make sense?

The W & H of the image meter is the size of the complete image.

[balala]

Does that make sense?

It make, but I just would add that two thing will go on with the posted ImageCrop option:

• The ImageCrop option is pushing the visible part of the image to right and left of the image (according to the value returned by the [CalcFormulaA] measure).
• Secondly the image meter itself will be moved (due to the X=[CalcFormulaB] option).

And one more: due to the above two options, the [Mesh11Mask] meter requires a DynamicVariables=1 option. Don't forget to add it.

The W & H of the image meter is the size of the complete image.

No, that's not. W and H is the size of the image meter. And these two are not the same at all. When the image meter is cropped, the visible part of the image will get the size set up by the W and H options of the Image meter (won't be resized accordingly to the proportion of the cropped part of the image).

[Mor3bane]

It make, but I just would add that two thing will go on with the posted ImageCrop option:

• The ImageCrop option is pushing the visible part of the image to right and left of the image (according to the value returned by the [CalcFormulaA] measure).
• Secondly the image meter itself will be moved (due to the X=[CalcFormulaB] option).

And one more: due to the above two options, the [Mesh11Mask] meter requires a DynamicVariables=1 option. Don't forget to add it.

No, that's not. W and H is the size of the image meter. And these two are not the same at all. When the image meter is cropped, the visible part of the image will get the size set up by the W and H options of the Image meter (won't be resized accordingly to the proportion of the cropped part of the image).

Yes, I realised the DynamicVariables=1 was needed.

However, I am getting nowhere with a viable formula.

Did you mean to say that this idea will now work at all, or that the formula would be really crazy?

Or, what was your meaning, please?

[Mor3bane]

This is what I am starting with, but nothing is happening.

I am testing the string meter with a long Text string and sippo is happening and the image is not moving.

Code: Select all

[Mesh11CalcCropX]
Measure=Calc
Formula=(84+[Mesh11CompName:W])

[Mesh11CalcX]
Measure=Calc
Formula=(1688+[Mesh11CompName:W])

[Mesh11Mask]
Meter=Image
ImageName=#@#Mesh11.png
ImageCrop=[Mesh11CalcCropX],0,123,156,1
X=[Mesh11CalcX]
Y=556
W=123
H=156
DynamicVariables=1

[Mor3bane]

Ok this *should* work. But nothing happens.

Am I using [Mesh11CompName:W] in a place where it wont register as a number value?

Code: Select all

[Mesh11CalcCropX]
Measure=Calc
Formula=84-[Mesh11CompName:W]

[Mesh11CalcRevealX]
Measure=Calc
Formula=123+[Mesh11CompName:W]

[Mesh11CalcX]
Measure=Calc
Formula=1688+[Mesh11CompName:W]

[Mesh11Mask]
Meter=Image
ImageName=#@#Mesh11.png
ImageCrop=[Mesh11CalcCropX],0,[Mesh11CalcRevealX],156,1
X=[Mesh11CalcX]
Y=556
W=[Mesh11CalcRevealX]
H=156
DynamicVariables=1

[Mor3bane]

Ok DynamicVariables again....
This got results, but I am a but vague on how to assign a clamp, or where it would go in the formulas.
Any additional help is appreciated.

Code: Select all

[Mesh11CalcCropX]
Measure=Calc
Formula=84-[Mesh11CompName:W]
DynamicVariables=1

[Mesh11CalcRevealX]
Measure=Calc
Formula=123+[Mesh11CompName:W]
DynamicVariables=1

[Mesh11CalcX]
Measure=Calc
Formula=1688+[Mesh11CompName:W]
DynamicVariables=1

[Mesh11Mask]
Meter=Image
ImageName=#@#Mesh11.png
ImageCrop=[Mesh11CalcCropX],0,[Mesh11CalcRevealX],156,1
X=[Mesh11CalcX]
Y=556
W=[Mesh11CalcRevealX]
H=156
DynamicVariables=1

[balala]

Still don't know a lot of thing related to your code. For example the [Mesh11CompName] is completely unknown (for us). Also what this meter shows up, how it gets the string which should have to show up. So again please: https://forum.rainmeter.net/viewtopic.php?p=149149#p149149