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    Dual Monitor Control

    Hi All,
    Below is a copy of a thread I started on Augi a while back.

    Over time, I will copy a few of the things I posted over there that I think might still be of interest to others. Given all the copyright issues, I will only post what I have written and not any replies or comments from others.


    Hi All,

    One of the small annoying gripes I have had with Revit is that it is not truly a dual monitor program.
    I have my monitors set up as an extended single screen and I will drag revit over both screens and the resize the views to one screen or the other by simply grabbing the grips on the edge of the view and dragging it to where I want them. Typically, when modelling, I would have my plans, elevations and sections on the left hand screen and the 3d view on the right hand screen so that I can view directly any changes I may make on a floor plan on the 3d view.

    Having put my toe into the AutoHotKey water I got to thinking as to whether one could write a script to automatically reposition and resize the views to fit to one screen or the other. Although the scripts turned out to be relatively simple in the end, figuring out how the controls worked was stupendously difficult (my thanks to TLM on the AutoHotKey forums for his help and guidance)

    Attached is a zip file which contains two AutoHotKey scripts. One Script "left hand screen control" relocates and resizes all of the views I want on the left hand screen, the other, "right hand screen control" controls the views I want on the right hand screen.

    Obviously, this is set up entirely for my preference as to what I want on which screen, and for my screen sizes. They will need to be adjusted to suit how you may wish to work and for your screen size.

    The controls are self evident and need a little bit of trial and error to get them right. (If anyone does have difficulty adjusting the script, post a reply and I will do a how to guide). When doing the trial and error adjustments adjust all of the x, y's in the script to be identical even if you are testing only one view. The hot keys for the scripts are ctrl + shift + s for the left hand screen and ctrl + shift + z for the right hand screen. Again, you can adjust them as you see fit. These will function as standalone scripts or you can incorporate them into another script (I have incorporated them into SpeedyUI for my use)



    Latter Post


    I have reworked the code to to add another feature and to make it more complete.

    Within the one script there are now three commands:

    Ctrl+F1 will resize revit to the full extents of your screen (again, as this is an x, y, cordinate it will need to be checked using AutoIt win Spy and altered in the first winmove command - currently set at 0,0,3350,1050)

    As previously, Crtl+Shift+z controls the lh screen (currently set for 0,0 [,1300,800]) and
    Crtl+Shift+s controls the right hand screen (currently set for 1300,0 [,1650,800]

    additionally I have added the shortcut command "zf" so that any rearranged window will zoom fit to the new size for each view.

    Cheers,


    Ian

    Further info.

    A number of members have reported that the zip file does not work for them, rather than reuploading a new zip file which may well have the same problems, below is the ahk code for the dual monitor controls.

    SetTitleMatchMode, 2

    ^F1:: ; F1 was used for demonstration purposes only. Choose a custom hotkey of your liking.

    WinMove, Revit,,0,0, 3350, 1050

    Return ; Stops the script from automatically executing further hotkey(s).

    ^+z::
    ControlGet, ctrlH, HWND,, Elevation, Revit
    WinMove, ahk_id %ctrlH%,, 0, 0 [,1370,950 ]
    Send, zf

    ControlGet, ctrlH, HWND,, Floor Plan, Revit
    WinMove, ahk_id %ctrlH%,, 0, 0 [,1370,950 ]
    Send, zf

    ControlGet, ctrlH, HWND,, Section, Revit
    WinMove, ahk_id %ctrlH%,, 0, 0 [,1370,950 ]
    Send, zf

    ControlGet, ctrlH, HWND,, Ceiling Plan, Revit
    WinMove, ahk_id %ctrlH%,, 0, 0 [,1370,950 ]
    Send, zf

    ControlGet, ctrlH, HWND,, Sheet, Revit
    WinMove, ahk_id %ctrlH%,, 0, 0 [,1370,950 ]
    Send, zf

    Return

    ^+s::

    ControlGet, ctrlH, HWND,, 3D View, Revit
    WinMove, ahk_id %ctrlH%,, 1370, 0 [,1665,950 ]
    Send, zf
    return
    Attached Files
    Last edited by Ian.Kidston; June 29, 2011, 10:27 PM. Reason: Further info
    Ian Kidston
    http://allextensions.com.au

    #2
    Nice Addon, already grabbed this from AUGI a while ago. Thanks for reposting.
    Martijn de Riet
    Professional Revit Consultant | Revit API Developer
    MdR Advies
    Planta1 Revit Online Consulting

    Comment


      #3
      Hi Ian, I have been reading your blog on the Dual Monitor Control that seems a realy cool app that youve written I tried to download it and when I open it there seems to be nothing in it could you please advise I have been working with Revit for several years and never thought of doing what you have done, I cannot wait to try it

      Best Regards

      Steve

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by Stafford Plans View Post
        Hi Ian, I have been reading your blog on the Dual Monitor Control that seems a realy cool app that youve written I tried to download it and when I open it there seems to be nothing in it could you please advise I have been working with Revit for several years and never thought of doing what you have done, I cannot wait to try it

        Best Regards

        Steve
        Hi Steve,

        I have just downloaded the zip file from the thread. The ahk file is in there for me. If you want to pm me with you email address, I will email it directly to you.

        Cheers
        Ian Kidston
        http://allextensions.com.au

        Comment


          #5
          I'm trying to implement this on a new computer using Revit Structure. I keep getting the following error. I've checked, double-checked, and triple-checked the AHK file to make sure I didn't miss anything. I'm at a complete loss. I would appreciate any suggestions.
          Thanks,
          Click image for larger version

Name:	AutoHotKey Error.PNG
Views:	1
Size:	91.0 KB
ID:	374315
          Ben Buergler
          Buergler Structural Design, PLLC

          Comment


            #6
            I use Ultramon for this and OOTB it extends a program window across two monitors with a click of a button. It isn't free though but the ability to flip programs back and forth from one monitor to the other without dragging them and having one session of Revit spread out across my two monitors made it worth the small price for me. (disclaimer: I have no interest in or affiliation with Ultramon)
            I'm retired, if you don't like it, go around!

            Comment


              #7
              Hi Ben,

              I assume that you have the two monitors set up as an extended screen either with Ultramon, as suggested by Dave, or by the video card utility tools.

              That being the case, you firstly need to determine the x and y co ordinates for the total extended screen and individually for the two monitors. For me, the total extended screen is from 0,0 to 3350, 1050 and 0, 0 to 1370,950 - 1370, 0 to 1665,950 for the left and right hand screens respectively. Use WinSpy which comes in the AutoHotKey download package to check and amend your AHK file.

              Hopefully, It should work correctly once it is set to the correct parameters for your screen set up.
              Ian Kidston
              http://allextensions.com.au

              Comment


                #8
                I get this message...
                Attached Files
                Alexandre Cantin
                "BIM is happening now! Be part of it."

                Comment


                  #9
                  Hi Alexandre,

                  Rather than use the zip file, simply copy the code from post 1 above. Everything from Settitlematchmode, 2 to the last return above the zip file.

                  Open notepad - paste the code into notepad - Save As - Select all files from drop down list (NOT txt file) save the file as Dual Monitor.ahk

                  If you have downloaded and installed AutoHotKey the file type will be understood and recongnised.

                  Other instructions as per post #1.

                  Let me know if you have any problems.

                  Cheers,
                  Last edited by Ian.Kidston; February 1, 2012, 07:53 AM. Reason: typo
                  Ian Kidston
                  http://allextensions.com.au

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Ian.Kidston View Post
                    Let me know if you have any problems.
                    Cheers,
                    Here's what I would like to get: Little 3D on left and everything else on right.

                    I tried to set up the ahk file but no success.
                    Attached Files
                    Alexandre Cantin
                    "BIM is happening now! Be part of it."

                    Comment

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