WinMacro

New Post: Suggestions

jeffa — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:41:58 GMT

Three additions that would make the macro work nicer.

1) How about the ability to easily add a pause/delay into the macro? I have some software that I want to operate a macro on at lightning speed (setting speed to 0). However, my software application at one point takes longer to move to the next step (inserting a dialog box to click) then the macro does causing the macro to run past the clicking of a button and causing the macro to operate inproperly.

2) Adding the ability to have an if then else statement. If a dialog box come up, click the box. Else, continue with the macro.

3) Adding the ability to speed up or slow down the macro at certain points within the macro. I believe my issue 1 could be resolved by adding this. I would simply slow down the macro and allow the application to catch up and add the dialog box before again speeding the macro back up for the remaining steps.

Thanks, and great little application.

Updated Wiki: Home

senthilkumar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:32:18 GMT

WinMacro (http://senthilthecoder.com/software/winmacro) is a simple Macro recorder/player for Windows that uses windows hooks to record and replay mouse and keyboard actions that you perform on the desktop. It is similar to the macro functionality present in applications like Word and Excel, only that the actions it records are global and not restricted to a specific application.

WinMacro can be used to automate everyday tasks that are repetitive - things like starting a bunch of applications when the system boots up, repeated copy pasting etc.. It is also quite useful as a rudimentary UI testing application, allowing you to run tests that exercise specific parts of the GUI.

Features

Simple GUI with just three buttons - Record, Play and About
Option of ignoring mouse actions during recording
Multiple playback options, including repeated playback and modified playback rate
User configurable hotkeys to start recording and playback
Status indicator on top right corner of desktop to show recording/playback status.

Updated Wiki: Home

senthilkumar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:31:54 GMT

WinMacro (http://http://senthilthecoder.com/software/winmacro) is a simple Macro recorder/player for Windows that uses windows hooks to record and replay mouse and keyboard actions that you perform on the desktop. It is similar to the macro functionality present in applications like Word and Excel, only that the actions it records are global and not restricted to a specific application.

WinMacro can be used to automate everyday tasks that are repetitive - things like starting a bunch of applications when the system boots up, repeated copy pasting etc.. It is also quite useful as a rudimentary UI testing application, allowing you to run tests that exercise specific parts of the GUI.

Features

Simple GUI with just three buttons - Record, Play and About
Option of ignoring mouse actions during recording
Multiple playback options, including repeated playback and modified playback rate
User configurable hotkeys to start recording and playback
Status indicator on top right corner of desktop to show recording/playback status.

Created Issue: Blue Screen on Windows 7 [25087]

flyhigh — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:55:08 GMT

When I click the playback button on certain programs after I record a macro in Windows 7 I get a blue screen and my computer is forced to restart.

Created Issue: Access Denied in Windows 7 Ultimate [25085]

flyhigh — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:59:07 GMT

When I click the Record button in Windows 7 Ultimate I get an "Access is denied" WinMacro error.

Commented Issue: Allow multiple files to be played back [23471]

Nightborn — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 15:38:51 GMT

It would be great if there were a way to queue multiple files for playback so that repeating similar task with minor variations could be recorded as small components and played as a long sequence.
Comments: ** Comment from web user: Nightborn **

I very much agree with this. Also, it will fix an issue I am seeing.

I run a set of three macros. I tend to know if I should run macro 2 or 3 before the first one is done. If I click 2 or 3 too early they will start running in the background. Once #1 finishes the next macro will start affecting mouse and keyboard movement, but plays only what has not already played in the background.This causes some rather unexpected events.

Not to sure what the best way to fix this. I would try to set it up that when the macro goes to run winmacro looks for any other instance of the application running. If it finds one it will hold the launch for so long and then check again until if finds no instances of winmacro - this probably doesn't work at this level since most of us will always have the record playback window open.

New Post: T.T vista

senthilkumar — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 05:24:17 GMT

Unfortunately, it's a operating system limitation, and implementing a work around for this issue is a lot of work. I'm afraid I can't fix this, sorry.

New Post: T.T vista

LukeNuke11 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:00:42 GMT

so annoying to use this app in vista...please find the solution....im using it,record for 10 sec,replay back it takes 16 sec....T.T for the "press any key repeatly" im holding asdjkl at 1 time.....can move,but the time not accurate... please help

New Post: Suggesting only

LukeNuke11 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:45:16 GMT

i think this winmacro should have repeat forever option...no need type 999999999999..to make it more beautiful.. ^^

Source code checked in, #56725

senthilkumar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:12:22 GMT

Added version number and website URLs to the About dialog.

Updated Release: 2.0 Beta 2 (Jul 18, 2009)

senthilkumar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:10:36 GMT

New in Beta 2

Expanded command line options.

All options available in the UI can now provided through the command line. The syntax is

winmacro <filename> /record | /playback [options]

Recording command line options, and UI actions.
/ignoremouse:yes | ignoremouse - Checking "Ignore mouse actions" checkbox.
/ignoremouse:no - Unchecking the "Ignore mouse actions" checkbox option.

Playback command line options, and UI actions.
/playbackatrecordedspeed:yes | playbackatrecordedspeed - Choosing "Playback events at recorded speed"
/playbackatrecordedspeed:no - Choosing "Playback events at my own speed"
/playbacktimeinterval:<time interval> - Typing in a playback Time Interval value.
/addtorecordedtime:yes | addtorecordedtime - Checking the "Add to recorded time" checkbox
/repeat:<repeat count> - Checking "Repeat playback" checkbox and entering <repeat count>

New Features

A programmable library (WinMacroLib.DLL) that provides functions to record and playback user actions, and to read and write WinMacro logs.
Hotkeys to start recording (Ctrl + Alt + F4) and playback (Ctrl + Alt + F5).
Ability to ignore mouse actions when recording.
Options are now persisted, so you don't need to set them everytime you launch the application
Viewing status of recording/playback and progress.
Option to automatically shutdown application after playback completes.

Known Issues

Playback hangs on Vista unless user keeps pressing a key (any key) on the keyboard. This seem to be an operating system bug, as the same code works fine in Win XP and Windows 7.

Installation Instructions
Please install the VC 2008 redistributable runtime from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9b2da534-3e03-4391-8a4d-074b9f2bc1bf&displaylang=en

Users running WinMacro on Vista or later need to do the following to get the application to work

Create a WinMacro directory inside C:\Program Files
Extract the release zip file to that directory.
Right click on SenthilKumarSelvaraj.cer and click "Install Certificate". Click Next, choose "Place all certificates in the following store", choose "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" and click OK. Click Next and Finish. If you do this, please, please read the following text so you know the ramifications of doing this.

These steps are necessary because of restrictions enforced by Vista as part of its goal to be a more secure operating system. Specifically, applications like WinMacro that use hooks need to
1. Reside in the Program Files directory
2. Be signed by a digital certificate.

Digital certificates signed by a root certifying authority like Verisign, cost money and have to be renewed on a yearly basis. I couldn't bring myself to spend $100 - 300 per year for a free open source application, so I generated my own self signed certificate. A root certifying authority like Verisign signs certificates after making sure that person/company is authentic. When you install a self signed certificate as a Root Certification Authority, you are accepting that there is no one vouching for me. It also means that your computer will trust whatever is signed by me, including website certificates used in SSL.

In short, it means I, or anyone who gets hold of my key, could massively screw up your system if I/they wanted to. Unfortunately, I can't see a way to get around this without me spending money. The best I can think of is to uninstall the certificate immediately after you're done with using the program and reinstall it before starting to use the applicatio

Released: 2.0 Beta 2 (Jul 18, 2009)

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:10:36 GMT

New in Beta 2

Expanded command line options.

A programmable library (WinMacroLib.DLL) that provides functions to record and playback user actions, and to read and write WinMacro logs.
Hotkeys to start recording (Ctrl + Alt + F4) and playback (Ctrl + Alt + F5).
Ability to ignore mouse actions when recording.
Options are now persisted, so you don't need to set them everytime you launch the application
Viewing status of recording/playback and progress.
Option to automatically shutdown application after playback completes.

Known Issues

Playback hangs on Vista unless user keeps pressing a key (any key) on the keyboard. This seem to be an operating system bug, as the same code works fine in Win XP and Windows 7.

Create a WinMacro directory inside C:\Program Files
Extract the release zip file to that directory.
Right click on SenthilKumarSelvaraj.cer and click "Install Certificate". Click Next, choose "Place all certificates in the following store", choose "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" and click OK. Click Next and Finish. If you do this, please, please read the following text so you know the ramifications of doing this.

Created Release: 2.0 Beta 2 (Jul 18, 2009)

senthilkumar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:06:56 GMT

New in Beta 2

Expanded command line options. All options available in the UI can now provided through the command line. The syntax is

winmacro <filename> /record | /playback [options]

Recording command line options, and UI actions.
/ignoremouse:yes | ignoremouse - Checking "Ignore mouse actions" checkbox.
/ignoremouse:no - Unchecking the "Ignore mouse actions" checkbox option.

Playback command line options, and UI actions.
/playbackatrecordedspeed:yes | playbackatrecordedspeed - Choosing "Playback events at recorded speed"
/playbackatrecordedspeed:no - Choosing "Playback events at my own speed"
/playbacktimeinterval:<time interval> - Typing in a playback Time Interval value.
/addtorecordedtime:yes | addtorecordedtime - Checking the "Add to recorded time" checkbox
/repeat:<repeat count> - Checking "Repeat playback" checkbox and entering <repeat count>

New Features

A programmable library (WinMacroLib.DLL) that provides functions to record and playback user actions, and to read and write WinMacro logs.
Hotkeys to start recording (Ctrl + Alt + F4) and playback (Ctrl + Alt + F5).
Ability to ignore mouse actions when recording.
Options are now persisted, so you don't need to set them everytime you launch the application
Viewing status of recording/playback and progress.
Option to automatically shutdown application after playback completes.

Known Issues

Playback hangs on Vista unless user keeps pressing a key (any key) on the keyboard. This seem to be an operating system bug, as the same code works fine in Win XP and Windows 7.

Create a WinMacro directory inside C:\Program Files
Extract the release zip file to that directory.
Right click on SenthilKumarSelvaraj.cer and click "Install Certificate". Click Next, choose "Place all certificates in the following store", choose "Trusted Root Certification Authorities" and click OK. Click Next and Finish. If you do this, please, please read the following text so you know the ramifications of doing this.

Closed Feature: Provide more command line options

senthilkumar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:39:36 GMT

Provide command line parameters for all options that can be set from the UI.
Comments: Resolved with changeset 56722.

Source code checked in, #56722

senthilkumar — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:39:34 GMT

Fixed bugs in the command line parser class.

Created Issue: Allow multiple files to be played back

phuzi0n — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:00:49 GMT

It would be great if there were a way to queue multiple files for playback so that repeating similar task with minor variations could be recorded as small components and played as a long sequence.

Created Issue: Playback on Win7 is skippy

phuzi0n — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:11:50 GMT

When I playback macros on Win7 build 7100 the playback is very inconsistent (plays some parts too fast, others too slow) and can also skip a chunk of the recorded commands. I've had the same recorded file play back perfectly and the next day it exhibited random behavior that changed each time I played it.

Source code checked in, #56011

senthilkumar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:04:04 GMT

Class to parse command line.

Commented Feature: Provide more command line options

senthilkumar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:03:17 GMT

Provide command line parameters for all options that can be set from the UI.
Comments: Associated with changeset 56010.

Closed Issue: Locking inputs while playing back

senthilkumar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:03:14 GMT

I have noticed that version 1.2 locked any form of input until you hit the OK button (If I am correct these inputs would stack and play after you hit ok)

Version 2.0 on the other hand seems to allow you to hit buttons while playing a macro. This can cause multiple issues.

If you set the macro to a keyboard hotkey that involves control, alt or shift the buttons register at the beginning of the playback and alter the macro.

This is especially noticeable when set to speed 0.

I have set up shortcuts on my desktop using the command line feature to set multiple macros to hotkeys.

I have notice that I can start a second macro while the first is still running this causes errors with playback.
Comments: Resolved with changeset 56010.