[Release] AutoPause v1.5 Final

[Rapture]

Name: AutoPause 1.5 Final
Use: In conjunction with Locomotion (all versions)

Default Hotkeys:
Escape - Closes AutoPause
F5 - Enable/Disable AutoPause
Spacebar - Auto Left-Mouse Click

Description:

This application will pause the game for you during all construction types (building trains, tracks,
roads, etc). As well as, automatically re-pause the game if it gets unpaused. You can enable/disable
this feature via pressing F5. Also, by pressing the spacebar (in game) you will left click your mouse
automatically for as long as it is held down. So, if you wanted to keep clicking the Build Track
button, just hold your mouse over it and press/hold the spacebar.

How to use:
1.) Extract AutoPause.exe to a directory of your choice.
2.) Execute/Open it.
3.) Setup things how you want them in the game.
3.) Click "Start Locomotion" button or open Locomotion on your own.
4.) Play.


Why use it? Well, it allows you to deal with multiple things going on during a game without too much
game-time passing. For example, updating vehicles, updating track types, and/or giving you an edge
over the AI's construction speeds.

Changes (1.1 Beta):
Added Auto Mouse Clicking.
Added Dialog box to query automatic starting of Locomotion
Added A little GUI window (only seen out of game)
Fixed the Hotkey problem with F5 and Spacebar. They only work in-game now.

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Changes (1.2 Alpha):
Major code optimization. Should no longer "bog down" Locomotion.
Fixed a bug with AutoPause sometimes freezing/crashing the game.

Changes (1.3 Final):
Added custom hotkey support. See Release Notes for possible hotkeys.
Fixed a bug where if Loco was minimized upon execution of AutoPause, then it wouldn't open until you
clicked your mouse or pressed a key on your keyboard.
More code optimization. Should run even smoother now.

Changes (1.4 Final):
Revamped the GUI completely.
Added a variable clicking speed for Auto Click (set it in the INI or in the app)
Added minimizing of the GUI as requested.
Adjusted the code A LOT. Should run even smoother than before.

Changes (1.5 Final):
Minor Code optimization.
Fixed an issue with certain hotkeys interfering when the game isn't the active window.
Fixed a few other minor bugs.
Removed Escape hotkey to exit due to Windows 98/98SE conflict.
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Release Notes (1.1 Beta):
I know I said I'd add in custom key settings, but that is proving to be a real pain. I just need to
make sure it works properly before I release that version. Sorry about the delay.

Release Notes (1.2 Alpha):
Sorry about the problems (if anyone other than me has had them). Should be running smoother than silk
now. I've tested it on all 5 of my comps (from a 400 mhz to a 3.2 ghz) and they all run Loco and
AutoPause with no performance loss.

Release Notes (1.3 Final):
Alrighty, so I finally got the custom hotkeys setup. It does not support multiple keys (I.E. Shift+X),
and I don't feel like adding 100 lines of code for it. If there is a demand for it, I'll gladly add it
later. So, how do we setup our own custom hotkeys? Well, included in AutoPause.zip is a file, AutoPause.ini,
that contains the default keys. Be sure your InGame_Pause key matches the INI!!! You can change them to
any one of the keys at the end of the post.

Release Notes (1.4 Final):
Whew, this was a tough one to finish. I spent A LOT of time trying to figure out how I wanted to design the
GUI. I think I've done a good job. Anyways, you will need to delete your old AutoPause.ini to match this
version. You can also set your hotkeys in the GUI now. They will be saved when you exit AutoPause. The hotkey
choices haven't changed. Also, the combo-boxes that contain the possible hotkeys is so large that you have
to scroll with your arrow keys (it won't add a blasted scroll bar, sorry).

Release Notes (1.5 Final):
Just some code clean-up. Nothing too major.

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Screenshot:


Download:
AutoPause.zip

[RobH]

Could you explain in a little more detail please as to exactly what this little program does?

If all it does is "just presses the pause button for you" and "It doesn't do like TTDPatch and allow you to build while paused" then I do not quite understand what is the advantage over you pressing the pause key directly yourself?

Or am I missing something?

Rob

[chevyrider]

I don't get it either.
Can you play yes or not, while paused?
Now i'm talking about the patched version 1.76

[Rapture]

Updated the original post.

[chevyrider]

Rapture, thanks for your explanation.
I think this one could be very usefull.
I'll try it.
Thanks.

[chevyrider]

I just tried, and now i really understand how it works.
Every click you make unpauses the game for a fraction of a second.
After building the vehicle or track, it automaticly pauses again.
So this is not cheating, because you build while time ticks away.
One question: What hapens with my F5 key, when i quit Locomotion?
Affects this other applications, so that i have to restart my PC after a game?

[Rapture]

Yes, it will. I am going to fix that in the next version.

Alos, upcoming in the next version:

Customizeable key settings.
Auto Left-Mouse-Button click. (Speedy construction here we come!)
Exit confirmation of AutoPause if Locomotion closes.

-Rapture

[RobH]

OK, so this mod is effectively doing.... build, pause, build, pause, build, pause, etc automatically and very quickly so saves wear and tear on the pause key .

Nice !

Rob

[Rapture]

Updated to Version 1.1 Beta.

[Rapture]

Updated to 1.2 Alpha. See Changes and Release notes for more info.

-Rapture

[Rapture]

Updated to 1.3 Final.

Custom hotkeys are in!

-Rapture

[chevyrider]

It's great Rapture, thanks.
I big progress is that i also can demolish tracks now with the clicker.
( i always used autohotkey of Scrat).
Two minor points however, if i may mention it?
The speed is really fast (too fast?) on my pentium 3Gh.
Could be a slightly slower in my opinion.
The warning box to cut down the AutoPause program, can't be minimized.
When i play lomo i've always three forums opened on my browser.
Also Outlook and Explorer.
Your warning box sits in the way then.
But if it's to much trouble i'll get used to that.

[Rapture]

Alrighty, I'll fix the window. I'll also add a speed control to the INI file. Anything else?

-Rapture

[chevyrider]

Alrighty, I'll fix the window. I'll also add a speed control to the INI file. Anything else?

-Rapture

No, then you have made the "perfect" tool.
Thanks

[Rapture]

I'm working on a new GUI for this app. The requested changes will be done. Also, would you like a skin feature added? (Give's it a background image)

I'll pump out the next version tommorrow at the latest.

-Rapture

[Illegal_Alien]

I think skinning is a bit overkill

[lobster]

I think skinning is a bit overkill

nah, skinning is a really metal thing to do. albeit that eating it alive is even more metal.

yes Rapture, this indeed is an awesome little tool. the one main thing i really missed on Locomotion gameplay-wise. awesome.

[Rapture]

Sorry about the delay on 1.4, there a bug I'm having some trouble tracking down. Then agian, it could be my imagination. Glad yall like it. If ya need more apps, lemme know and I'll see what I can do to make em.

-Rapture

[chevyrider]

Thank you for your efforts.
I now have control over version 1.3.
I was used to autohotkey, so i had to learn to swith to your application.
Works fine to me now.
Only thing now is the closure box, what is in the way.

There are three fantastic programs on the moment to change the game.
But they aren't not always easy to install or to use for beginners.
Also they are not completed and may need much more posibilities and extensions then they have on the moment.

I don't know your skills yet( i haven't any with programming ), but the programs are:

Wrappertool
Locomod
Locotool- Frontend

Developement of Wrappertool is stopped completely by the maker.
For the other programs , i'm not sure.

Perhaps you could do something ( in cooperation with the designers) with that programs?

[Rapture]

I was looking at the source code for wrapper tool and it seems it was written in Cygwin/Linux. I suppose the writer was trying to make it open platform (Windows/Mac). I don't have any experience with Mac, but I've begun converting it to Visual C++. It will take me some time to get a beta version out. If anyone knows where I can get the source to Locotool Mod and/or FrontEnd, I'd be willing to write something a little more comprehensive and user friendly.

As for my experience, I know a good deal of C, C++, Java, and Perl. I've been a code-monkey for the last 11 or 12 years now (lost count, lol). I've mainly written text-based applications for Linux systems (MUDs, admin console tools, etc). In the last year or so, I've been delving into the visual languages (Visual C++, C#, VB, and .NET frameworks) and into graphics (OpenGL and DirectX).

By the way, AutoPause is written in AutoIt Script. It is a dumbed down variant of C++ and is becoming rather popular. It is good for both newbie coder and advanced coders. What has taken me roughly 100 lines of code in AutoIt would have taken me over 1000 in C++ (not including the headers I would need). AutoHotKey is very similar, though I find not as expansive.

Anyways, enough of my babbling on, I have to finish this app already.

-Rapture.