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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Hi all,

I've seen several posts asking to have ALT-Tab function differently per monitor you're working on (based on mouse cursor location I guess) however I honestly suspect as a core Windows functionality, this is unlikely.

However,... I would suspect perhaps at least the ALT-TAB box which pops up might be able to be replicated to all 3 monitors (or more / less) at least. Not that I can program but I suspect this might be easier to do without breaking Windows.
Any thoughts to having it appear on multiple monitors?
May 6, 2012  • #1
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
We haven't really had a chance to look into it yet, but I'll add that idea to the feature request for when we do :)

Thanks!
May 7, 2012  • #2
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Roger Sinasohn
26 discussion posts
This is a feature I'd be interested in as well. It would definitely have to be controlled by settings. I would suggest these options (if possible):

On both/all monitors
On specific monitor (#1/2/3 etc.)
On monitor with mouse cursor
On monitor with program that has focus

I would likely go with the last option, since that's where my eyes are most likelly to be pointed, but both monitors would also be acceptable.

For extra credit, the specific monitor(s) option could be check boxes and the alt-tab icons would show up on all checked monitors, but I doubt anyone really needs that and it's probably rather difficult/inefficient.
Sep 17, 2012  • #3
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
@Roger: I've added your vote, thanks for the input!
Sep 17, 2012  • #4
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Don't know why but this is "re-bugging" me again today, really working on monitor #1 (left) of 3 and no alt tab slays me! :)
Oct 6, 2012  • #5
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Roger Sinasohn
26 discussion posts
Quote:
@Roger: I've added your vote, thanks for the input!


I hate to sound like a jerk but... I downloaded DF when I got a second monitor so I could put half of a photo of my kids on each monitor, with a suitable amount cropped out of the middle for the gap. Then I started playing with it and found I kinda like the screensaver feature -- I've got it displaying pictures (again minding the gap) which is kinda cool.

Now, however, as I near the end of the trial period, I have to decide whether or not to purchase the pro version or revert to the free, basic one. I'm finding that the alt-tab issue is a challenge for me and I think that if I knew it was something that was in the works for the near future, I'd go ahead and upgrade; otherwise, I think I'll stick with the basic version.

So, I'm not asking for a date or anything, just an idea of whether the alt-tab control feature is in the queue for asap or is in the "yeah, yeah, we'll get to it someday" pile?

Thanks!
Oct 9, 2012  • #6
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
We're actually working on it as we speak :)

It's a difficult feature to implement, but we'll hopefully have it ready by the end of this year.

Thanks!
Oct 10, 2012  • #7
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
You can always stick with the Free version for now, and we can send you a new 30-day trial key when the Alt+Tab stuff has been implemented so that you can try it out before purchasing :)
Oct 10, 2012  • #8
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
I purchased a copy, I can't recall why but it was worth it, vastly superior to ultramon (which surprised me)
The alt tab thing will be definitely appreciated, the hard work is appreciated though, seems to be constantly being worked on. I do hope you're seeing sales to support so much dev work.

Thanks.
Oct 11, 2012  • #9
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
@S37: Thank you for the compliments!
Oct 12, 2012  • #10
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
I have no idea why the forums renamed me to S(37)
Anyhow, it looks like the ALT tab handler can be done by display fusion now - is this the prelim work on getting it on multiple monitors? (I can't figure out how to do it - but I did switch to the display fusion one)

Thanks all.
Oct 23, 2012  • #11
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
We had to add in functionality to prevent duplicate public names, and we had to write a script to append numbers to the existing duplicates :)

The Alt-Tab handler included in 4.2 is indeed a step closer to adding functionality to mirror the Alt-Tab window on other monitors. It's not there yet, but we're still working on it.

Thanks!
Oct 24, 2012  • #12
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Is there any way to simply measure the size of the window being drawn on monitor one and re-painting it, or is that too difficult?
The new one seems a tag laggy, I'll keep updating over the coming week or two while I get used to it.
Oct 24, 2012  • #13
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
To be honest we're not sure on the best way to do it yet, but I'll keep you posted as soon as we've got something to test.

Thanks!
Oct 24, 2012  • #14
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Definitely seems to be a bit laggy, see attached picture - that many apps took (literally) 2 seconds from holding alt and pressing tab to appear.

I don't mean to be a whiner or hassler but I'm curious if I can propose some other ideas, which you've probably thought of - but since I'm not a coder, worth suggesting.

Is it possible instead of coding your own alt-tab replacement to simply have the program listen for ALT-TAB and when it detects it just copy alt-tab the frame to monitors 2 / 3 / 4? rather than writing your own full one, this will keep the speed up with the regular windows tool.
• Attachment [protected]: pic01.jpg [105,015 bytes]
Oct 29, 2012  • #15
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Hi all,

Sorry to hassle you all but I'm definitely convinced the ALT-Tab functionality built into DF isn't going to cut it for power users, the lag built in to it is really quite painful even on a beef PC.
The lag is quite distinct and has caused me a few slip ups when working on the PC, admitedly I'm only one test user but I definitely would class myself in the power user level and considering DF is really a power user application,... well.

Just an FYI - happy to do other testing for you and offer suggestions but for the sake of time saving, unless that speed can be brought back to Windows level performance I'd recommend abandoning the current implimentation.
Oct 31, 2012  • #16
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deanis
256 discussion posts
I was giving it a try and the lag wasn't terrible. What made me stop using it was that the sorting wasn't in MRU order like the native Alt+Tab switcher. So when I would expect Alt+Tab to take me to the first item in the list, my active application, it actually took me to the 5th.

But I can see some potential here, and will definitely use it full-time to test it out (it is beta software, after all) once the MRU order is implemented.
Oct 31, 2012  • #17
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Thanks for the feedback guys! This is still very much a work in progress, so any feedback you have is great to hear, and we'll post more updates when we're able to improve it.
Oct 31, 2012  • #18
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Quote:
I was giving it a try and the lag wasn't terrible. What made me stop using it was that the sorting wasn't in MRU order like the native Alt+Tab switcher. So when I would expect Alt+Tab to take me to the first item in the list, my active application, it actually took me to the 5th.

But I can see some potential here, and will definitely use it full-time to test it out (it is beta software, after all) once the MRU order is implemented.


The lag really needs to be identical to Windows - high end users who manipulate apps very rapidly will be completely thrown out by the feature if they hit alt tab but the OS doesn't recognise it.
(Early versions of Windows Vista on a mid range PC with the full graphical options on, if I recall had this issue - it was nightmarishly annoying for pro users)

I'm skeptical the feature can work properly but we'll see.
Also - try with 30 or 40 things open and it'll lag up for sure :/
Nov 4, 2012  • #19
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JeffR
2 discussion posts
What's the ETA on getting alt-tab window to show up on different monitors?
Aug 5, 2013  • #20
Jon Tackabury (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
We're aiming for version 5.2 for this feature. Basic Alt+Tab replacement is already available in the Advanced Settings, but we'll be adding it as a full feature as soon as we start doing the 5.2 betas. :)
Aug 6, 2013  • #21
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Quote:
What's the ETA on getting alt-tab window to show up on different monitors?


As you can see from my post above, they were nice enough to add it but unfortunatlely the performance is,...... not good. Not their fault, I speculate this is just due to how Windows is.

Unless the behaviour is identical to current alt tab (less than 1/10'th of a second before it appears) it's no good (for me anyhow)
Aug 6, 2013  • #22
Jon Tackabury (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Have you tried the latest 5.1 beta (Beta 13)? It has a number of Alt+Tab performance improvements, and reduces the lag quite a bit. :)
Aug 6, 2013  • #23
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Just tried it: Disclaimer, love the program, paying customer, happy with support.

It was my idea and I appreciate them adding it - but yeah, completely unusable for advanced users.
I snap alt tab incredibly quickly. Very very very quickly - the behaviour isn't identical to windows standard- huge lag (I think the entire approach needs a re-write personally, or scrapping)

It was a nice idea and I hope others enjoy it - but yeah, no good.
Aug 6, 2013  • #24
Jon Tackabury (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Don't worry, we'll keep working on it. :)
Aug 6, 2013  • #25
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Roger Sinasohn
26 discussion posts
Based on others' comments, I suspect I won't enjoy the multi-monitor Alt-tab functionality, but I would like to try it out... only I can't for the life of me figure out how to turn it on. Is it only in the beta versions or something? I'm running 5.1.1. Thanks!
Jan 6, 2014  • #26
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
It's in the DisplayFusion Settings > Advanced Settings window for now, since it's not quite ready for prime time :)
Jan 7, 2014  • #27
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127.0.0.1
3 discussion posts
Speed is great for me in 5.1.1. There is no lag. I'm not sure how you guys plan on doing this feature, but while having alt+tab on every monitor is great, I hope you can also enable to only cycle the active applications on that monitor. Hopefully you already had taken that into consideration. Looking forward to the release of this feature.
Jan 15, 2014  • #28
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Keith,

Thanks again for the work on this but I can confirm this is most definitely sitll performing as I reported.
Sorry 127.0.0.1 but you must use alt-tab differently to me at least and I'd speculate most hardcore users.

Under Windows (_all versions_) I can hold down ALT and tap TAB and it responds instantaneously, sub millisecond range.
If you're snappy on the keyboard you could alt tab, back and forth between the same application 5+ times a second. The box with the list of active applications appears instantaneously.
This is not the case for display fusion, however I get it's probably really hard to do.
Jan 15, 2014  • #29
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127.0.0.1
3 discussion posts
How differently do you want me to use alt+tab? It's a question of lag and there isn't any on my side.
Jan 15, 2014  • #30
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Define "no lag" because I've tried it on 3 machines an I can assure you, there's lag.
Jan 15, 2014  • #31
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127.0.0.1
3 discussion posts
No lag as in, as fast as I can mash on my keys manually. The cycling is fine also. I took a quick vid with my phone. If you turn the volume up or have headphones, you can see that the actions are in sync with the sound of the keys.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4e6tTqumjknc3lRb2Z0TFE1eUk
Jan 15, 2014 (modified Jan 15, 2014)  • #32
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Mine performs much the same, the problem is the 250+ms lag for the box opening at first press of ALT-TAB in the first place, this should be sub 20ms, completely undetectable to the user /like the existing solution from Microsoft/

I'd record a video but I'm having a busy day at work, sorry.
The initial lag is vastly vastly slower to open than stock Windows ALT-TAB and therefore a very very quick snap of alt tab between apps is painful. (and infact doesn't work, frequently)
Jan 15, 2014 (modified Jan 15, 2014)  • #33
Doc Billingsley's profile on WallpaperFusion.com
I have the displayfusion Alt tab handler enabled (in beta 6 v 2) but it's only showing up on my 'main' monitor, same as the default windows handler. Am I missing something?
No lag, by the way.
Mar 16, 2014  • #34
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
@Doc: We haven't added the ability to have it on the current monitor only yet, but that's coming in one of the 6.0 betas :)
Mar 17, 2014  • #35
Doc Billingsley's profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Hi Keith,
I'm not sure I was clear -- the alt-tab handler isn't appearing on all monitors, it's only appearing on one (the same one that the default windows handler uses). I'd like to have it appear on all of them. Is that feature already implemented?
• Attachment [protected]: displayfusion info.txt [69,835 bytes]
Mar 19, 2014  • #36
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Nope, but that's also planned, hopefully for the next major version if all goes well :)
Mar 27, 2014  • #37
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
We've just released a new DisplayFusion beta version and there are now some new Alt-Tab options on the Window Management tab, one of which is an option to show Alt-Tab on all monitors :)

Please let us know if you run into any trouble after updating.

Thanks!
Jun 8, 2014  • #38
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S.ALT255
130 discussion posts
Sorry the lag, nope :/
Jun 8, 2014  • #39
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
@S.ALT255: Is the alt-tab handler still slow to open on your machine? If so, is it slow only the first time, or every time you use it?
Jun 9, 2014  • #40
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bob_sayshi
24 discussion posts
So, I've been using displayfusion for so long it tend to forget what else i use with my system.

I tried the alt+tab handler for apparently the first time today, before i was using vistaswitcher (works great).

The problem i'm seeing seems to be what others are seeing, however i hope this is not the case. The window won't display for 2 seconds. Until then the focus is lost on the active window and nothing happens. So 2 critical questions for me.

1 - Is this common or just my system?
2 - If my system how can i fix it to restore functionality?

I believe i will go back to using vistaswitcher for alt-tab and displayfusion for everything else until i figure out how to resolve this because this delay makes this feature completely unusable.
Jul 30, 2014  • #41
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
@bob: On all of our systems here it opens instantly, but there have been a few customers that have reported it being too slow to open. Question for you: Does it open quickly after a fresh reboot of your system, with only a couple of open windows? Or is it always slow to open?
Jul 31, 2014  • #42
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bob_sayshi
24 discussion posts
@Keith, It is definitely quicker with a fresh reboot and nothing to switch between. 2 explorer windows had a minimal lag (barely noticeable compared to the normal function). However any usage of the processor drastically changed the feature.

Might be of note that opening the 'settings' window of displayfusion has always taking quite a long time, 10second duration. Has always been that way.

The alt-tab feature is necessary for a multi-use system, it should be reliable even with multiple operations happening - similar to the original function.

If this is unique to my system can you suggest a remedy or fix that can be done? I've used Vistaswitcher for years and i won't be switching unless the functionality is at least comparable.
Jul 31, 2014 (modified Jul 31, 2014)  • #43
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Ok, interesting. If you enable the "General: Run as High Priority Process" option in the Settings > Advanced Settings window, and then restart DisplayFusion, does that help at all?
Jul 31, 2014  • #44
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bob_sayshi
24 discussion posts
Changed to high priority and it is still operating at around a 2 second delay. This is with multiple programs and normal use, nothing extensive is actively running. If i turn off DF alt-tab feature and use the normal or the other alt-tab tool it works without delay.

Changed to high priority and restarted DF, also tried the whole sequence again just to cover my basis.
Jul 31, 2014  • #45
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Ok, could you attach a debug log? Just want to see if we can sort out which part of the AltTab process is taking 2 seconds. Here are the steps:
  • On the Troubleshooting tab, change the Logging drop-down to "Logging: Important Only"
  • Restart DisplayFusion
  • Try Alt+Tab and if it's slow, note the time so we'll know where to check in the log file
  • Send us the DisplayFusion.log and DebugInfo.html files (can be found by clicking the Open Log button on the Troubleshooting tab)
  • Disable debug logging after sending the log

Thanks!
Aug 1, 2014  • #46
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bob_sayshi
24 discussion posts
See attached for the log. 10:10 & 10:11 there were approximately 4 alt-tab performed. Also of note, if the delay lasts longer than approx 2 sec, it won't actually switch to the other window.
• Attachment [protected]: DebugInfo.html [129,165 bytes]
• Attachment [protected]: DisplayFusion.log [194,242 bytes]
Aug 1, 2014  • #47
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Aha! I noticed from the log that DWM is disabled on your system (happens if you use Aero Basic or Classic theme in Windows Personalization settings). I've switched to the Classic theme on my test system and there is also now a delay in loading for Alt+Tab. I've added this to our list, and we'll definitely let you know when we're able to get it fixed up.

In the meantime, if it's possible for you to enable one of the themes in the Personalization > Aero Themes section, that should allow Alt+Tab to open quicker :)
Aug 1, 2014  • #48
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bob_sayshi
24 discussion posts
That does seem to fix the bulk of the issue - switching to an Aero Theme. There is still a noticeable delay during high process/disk usage, but otherwise its much quicker - if not the same its close to normal usage.

I won't be staying with this theme however, it is much less desirable and reduces my ease of use. If there is another way to utilize this feature of DF without having an Aero theme please let me know.

Thanks for looking into this, i look forward to an update to resolve this for classic themes. If you need more logs or any other information please let me know.
Aug 1, 2014  • #49
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
Will do, thanks for helping us track this down!
Aug 1, 2014  • #50
Keith Lammers (BFS)'s profile on WallpaperFusion.com
We've just released a new DisplayFusion beta version (http://www.displayfusion.com/Download/Beta/) and this issue should be all fixed up. Please let us know if you run into any trouble after updating.

Thanks!
Mar 30, 2016  • #51
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