Adding controls to programs

[bflosabre91]

this might sound like a dumb question but im not sure how to accomplish this. I have a client that wants me to put certain buttons and menus at the top of applications they have purchased. No source code or development tools of it, but he insists it has been done before. I dont know of any ways to add anything to existing executable applications without having any type of documentation from the developer. Can anyone tell me if my understanding is correct, and if i would have to get some sort of documentation from the developer in order to build off of their application. They are .NET applications.

[gep13]

Hey,

What sort of buttons are you talking about? You are going to have to provide some more information than what you have already.

I know of one application that does what I think you are talking about, and this is called UltraMon:

http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/

It adds two buttons to the top of every window you have open, and allows you to alter the size of the window, and transfer it to another monitor (in a multi-monitor environment).

From what I understand, this isn't an easy thing to achieve though, and requires low level knowledge of the Windows API.

Gary

[bflosabre91]

yeah, that exactly what i mean. Something like what ultramon does. but not necessarily in the top blue tool bar, but anywhere on the screen. but im sure its done in a similar way.

[gep13]

Hey,

That is an area that I have very little experience in, so I am not going to be able to help you any further, but I am sure someone will come along with an idea.

Gary

[chris128]

I think adding something to the windows title bar is quite different to adding extra buttons etc actually inside another application. I know you can 'draw' on other applications using Windows APIs so I'm assuming that is what has been done before but like Gary I'm afraid it is not something I have much experience with..

[gep13]

Hey,

From what I understand as well, it is not something to be undertaken lightly. I am not aware of any tutorials for this type of thing either, but google might turn up something.

Gary