Screen image overlay software?

Joopson · May 2012

Hey guys,
just wondering if anyone knows of any software that would allow me to overlay an image on the screen, and have it always stay in front of other windows, with whatever opacity I may want. Also, I'd like if the mouse affected the window highest up, disregarding the overlay. So, if you overlay an image of a tree, and open MS paint, you could trace the tree, then close the overlay. It seems like something that must be out there somewhere.

Thanks for any points in the right direction!

Selaznog · May 2012

Hm, I used a program before that did this. It was called opacity window or something.

The MS paint comment...that was just hypothetically speaking...right?

Joopson · May 2012

What, do I look crazy to you?
Haha, I just thought if I said "Photoshop" people would tell me to just use a layer or something to trace.

Selaznog · May 2012

Ah, fair enough. I was about to dial 911. "Yeah, we need an ambulance...this man was found using MS Paint...I'm sure how much longer he has left..."
But anyways, after a quick google search, I found http://www.tucows.com/preview/347392
I think thats the one I was using

pior · May 2012

I have been using Ghost-it for a few years now. Not sure if it does exactly what you want, but it should help!

http://majorgeeks.com/Ghost-It_d1128.html

MattQ86 · May 2012

I use Ghost-It.

edit: damn, beaten to the punch.

Joopson · May 2012

Tried Transparent windows, which wasn't too great. Sure, it made the window seethrough, but I couldn't click through it. But GhostIt sounds perfect! Thanks guys. Downloading now.

[edit:] Yep, works a charm! Thanks guys

Ace-Angel · May 2012

Anyone is getting Ghost to run on 7 for an image, with ZBrush under it? It's flickering for me.

Eric Chadwick · May 2012

Foreground Reference works great for me in Win7.
http://www.digitalartistguild.com/misc/UtilityExplain/UtilityExplain.html

Mongrelman · May 2012

It's not exactly what you're after, but I've used Vitrite. It lets you adjust the opacity of the active window with ctrl+1-0, so you would need your image underneath photoshop/zbrush etc, then you could adjust opacity of that to see the image behind.

Joopson · May 2012

Ace, it works fine for me. I'm running Ghost-it as administrator, but I don't know if that makes a difference. Also, I'm using windows picture viewer, or whatever it's called. The default viewer.

Ace-Angel · May 2012

Hmm, will try again later, I'm using IfranView, maybe I need to check some settings before OK'ing it.

Cheers guys!

ZacD · May 2012

alwaysontopmaker is what I use.

Habboi · May 2012

alwaysontopmaker is what I use.

Same, it's simple and does what it is named.

Steve Schulze · May 2012

Ace-Angel wrote: »

Anyone is getting Ghost to run on 7 for an image, with ZBrush under it? It's flickering for me.

Why not just use Spotlight? Same functionality with a bunch more useful options.

Ace-Angel · May 2012

Jackablade wrote: »

Why not just use Spotlight? Same functionality with a bunch more useful options.

I tend to cycle through several different pictures at the same time, don't have a second screen to make my job easier, so the cheapest solution I found is to have about 3/4 images open, and ghosted, or Tab, change and ghost.

At least, that what I'm hoping to get.

knacki · May 2012

Same here.
Foreground Reference Utility works fine for me.
No probs with zbrush and Win7 64 Bit.

No installation, simple to use.

xvampire · May 2012

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/PowerMenu.shtml you are welcome

StrangeDave · May 2012

I have this app I've been working on...

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6444067/floaty/floaty-0.1.zip

Still very rough around the edges but essentially does what the original poster wanted. Instructions in the readme.txt file.

ldx00 · May 2013

StrangeDave wrote: »

I have this app I've been working on...

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/6444067/floaty/floaty-0.1.zip

Still very rough around the edges but essentially does what the original poster wanted. Instructions in the readme.txt file.

Hi there StrangeDave, sorry for digging up this old thread, good program though, I'm trying to do something similar. Would you be willing to share your code?

allsystemsgo · Aug 2013

Very interesting tools.
Been looking for a way to do similar except have the ability to add file or URL links to different parts of an image within just a package like Evernote. Would work great for a architect drawing working on where I can link to notes, spreadsheets of items needed for different rooms, etc.

tbailen · Oct 2013

Custom Desktop Logo was exactly what I was looking for to "brand" my entire desktop while running a slideshow:

http://customdesktoplogo.wikidot.com/

It doesn't seem to let you adjust the translucency of the overlay like the original poster wanted, but it honors transparent pixels unlike Foreground Reference Utility.

Screen image overlay software?

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