Disable Mouse ???

[ALX]

'Calling all API gurus !!!
I am setting up an Introdution to my app that needs to take control of the mouse. Basically it moves the mouse around the form and clicks on various buttons, labels, etc. to lead the user through some techniques and point out different features of the application. I want to disable the mouse so that I can move the cursor to relevant points on the form and prevent the user from altering the cursor position with the mouse while the Intro is running. I'm currently hijacking the "MouseMove" event and restoring the cursor position with

 Windows.Forms.Cursor.Current.Position = New System.Drawing.Point(CurPos.X, CurPos.Y)

so if the user tries to move the mouse cursor, it just moves back to where it was previously. I'm thinking that there must be a way to temporarily disable mouse input through a API call or something and avoid the thousands of loops that my current technique uses if the user can't keep his hands off of the mouse.

 

[ajeeshco]

What about hiding the mouse cursor for a while? This link may help you http://www.developerfusion.co.uk/show/199/

 

[ajeeshco]

I am setting up an Introdution to my app that needs to take control of the mouse. Basically it moves the mouse around the form and clicks on various buttons, labels, etc. to lead the user through some techniques and point out different features of the application.

I think you are trying to demonstrate the techniques and features of your application to the user. If so, then why don't you make an introductory video demonstrating all this and run this video when the user runs the application for the first time or provide a helplink for this video.

 

[JuggaloBrotha]

I would make a video and include it in your app to show the user instead of taking over their mouse. If I installed software that took over my mouse just to show me a few features, I would be very unhappy about that intrusion.

 

[ALX]

The user has only to press the Escape key to close the Intro & return to normal mouse function, so I didn't feel like it was too much of an inconvenience... however, I like the idea of using a video for this, and that was my plan originally. I opted for the current method as I didn't have a clue about how to create a video for such a purpose. 'Any guidance on that???

 

[ajeeshco]

I think you may use Windows media encoder 9 series. After installation goto > start menu > programs > windows media > windows media encoder. Hope this will help you.

 

[JohnH]

some samples: Capture Activities on Screen in a Movie