• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 13:52
CEST 19:52
KST 02:52
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall10HomeStory Cup 27 - Info & Preview18Classic wins Code S Season 2 (2025)16Code S RO4 & Finals Preview: herO, Rogue, Classic, GuMiho0TL Team Map Contest #5: Presented by Monster Energy6
Community News
Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation2$25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced2Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles5[BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China9Flash Announces Hiatus From ASL66
StarCraft 2
General
Firefly given lifetime ban by ESIC following match-fixing investigation Streamerzone Starcraft Pro Series (SSPS)! The GOAT ranking of GOAT rankings Weekly Cups (June 30 - July 6): Classic Doubles Jim claims he and Firefly were involved in match-fixing
Tourneys
FEL Cracov 2025 (July 27) - $8000 live event $25,000 Streamerzone StarCraft Pro Series announced Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament RSL: Revival, a new crowdfunded tournament series WardiTV Mondays
Strategy
How did i lose this ZvP, whats the proper response Simple Questions Simple Answers
Custom Maps
[UMS] Zillion Zerglings
External Content
Mutation # 481 Fear and Lava Mutation # 480 Moths to the Flame Mutation # 479 Worn Out Welcome Mutation # 478 Instant Karma
Brood War
General
ASL20 Preliminary Maps BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ i aint gon lie to u bruh... [ASL19] Finals Recap: Standing Tall SC uni coach streams logging into betting site
Tourneys
[BSL20] Non-Korean Championship 4x BSL + 4x China [BSL20] Grand Finals - Sunday 20:00 CET CSL Xiamen International Invitational The Casual Games of the Week Thread
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers I am doing this better than progamers do.
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread Path of Exile What do you want from future RTS games? Beyond All Reason
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Heroes of StarCraft mini-set
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Community Thread Vanilla Mini Mafia
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Stop Killing Games - European Citizens Initiative Summer Games Done Quick 2025! Summer Games Done Quick 2024!
Fan Clubs
SKT1 Classic Fan Club! Maru Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Anime Discussion Thread [Manga] One Piece [\m/] Heavy Metal Thread
Sports
2024 - 2025 Football Thread Formula 1 Discussion NBA General Discussion TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 NHL Playoffs 2024
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
momentary artworks from des…
tankgirl
Culture Clash in Video Games…
TrAiDoS
from making sc maps to makin…
Husyelt
StarCraft improvement
iopq
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 659 users

[bcoverlay] an overlay for windows / games / bw

Forum Index > BW General
Post a Reply
1 2 3 Next All
dosbox
Profile Joined May 2011
27 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-10-18 16:49:57
May 13 2011 11:19 GMT
#1
hello,

here is a small overlay program that can be used to cover portions of the screen when you record a replay or broadcast a tournament, for example. in can also work for any other purposes outside BW (e.g. SC2, CS, QUAKE) etc.

it only runs on windows but probably on a lot of different versions of the os. tested on xp-x86 and vista-x64. not tested on wine but there is a big chance its broken there due to api incompatibility and bugs.

i'm also pretty sure that most definitely there are alternatives of this out there :-).

------------------------
preview with bw:
[image loading]

preview with bw: (12mb gif video):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28720954/bcoverlay_demo.gif

loading images:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28720954/bc_overlay_demo2.gif

scripting:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28720954/bcoverlay_pos_demo.gif

------------------------
some q&a:

[q]: why use this when bitmaps can be placed in multi-cam software like VHMultiCam ?
[a]: this is a very efficient yet simple alternative written in c (+ some asm to cut a couple of corners). if you have a lets say 10y/o machine you might find that VHMultiCam is actually quite resource hungry. on the other hand you can possibly run 100 instances of this program and still be under 1% cpu (for single frame images).

[q]: how to load images and use transparency ?
[a]: supported image formats (since 0.52) are BMP/GIF/PNG/JPEG. you can check for a short example in the [extras] sections of the "readme.txt" file on how to load images with transparency.

[q]: it says that it cannot load an image ?
[a]: probably there is something wrong with the image format. try to open the file in an image editor (like ms paint, photoshop, image ready) and save the image as a new file.

[q]: why do the colors look bad for some animated GIFs ?
[a]: this should be a similar answer to the one above.

[q]: when i set transparency the overlay disappears with VHScrCap or Xsplit ?
[a]: bcoverlay uses very simple winapi methods to make use of transparency. it also depends on what the capturing software is doing. for example CamStudio _does_ capture transparent windows.
edit: looks like VHScrCap has an option which enables that "Config -> Settings -> Capture layered windows".

[q]: how efficient is it ?
[a]: it is quite efficient for a static overlay, but rendering animated images (multiple frames) is a cpu heavy operation.

[q]: does it support unicode and different languages ?
[a]: it is an unicode application essentially and "should" work with all languages, but i have only tested with latin / cyrillic. one of the downsides of this is that it consumes more ram per instance (~2mb) thus the current maximum number of characters is limited to 512.

[q]: why keyboard shortcuts instead of a settings panel ?
[a]: i think there should be less configuration windows and panels popping out during a stream, so most overlay controls are accessible with shortcut keys. its very easy to get used to the controls.

[q]: i find it a bit difficult to prepare my overlay setup each time ?
[a]: bcoverlay allows command line scripting. each overlay which is currently on the screen has a command line accessible via f5. a list of command lines can be stored in a cmd or bat file and executed later. please check the included files "set_start.cmd" and "set_kill.cmd" for an example.

[q]: where to report bugs ?
[a]: you can report in this thread for now. if not check the "readme.txt" for contact info.
please specify OS/ CPU and steps to reproduce.

[q]: source code ?
[a]: i may release it eventually. it is quite a mess and needs some cleanup. (edit).
------------------------
download (v.0.52):
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28720954/bcoverlay.zip

------------------------
cheers ;-)
dosbox
konadora *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Singapore66158 Posts
May 13 2011 11:26 GMT
#2
wow, this is awesome! thanks! pretty sure some people will find it useful
POGGERS
Essbee
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Canada2371 Posts
May 13 2011 11:31 GMT
#3
Nice first post. This is definitely useful
Hyde
Profile Blog Joined November 2007
Australia14568 Posts
May 13 2011 11:52 GMT
#4
Welcome! Awesome first post :D
This will be handy for streamers that's for sure.
Because when you left, Brood War was all spotlights and titans. Now, with the death of the big leagues, Brood War has moved to the basements and carparks. Now, Brood War is unlicensed brawls, lost teeth, and bloody fights for fistfulls of money - SirJolt
2Pacalypse-
Profile Joined October 2006
Croatia9497 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-05-13 11:53:47
May 13 2011 11:53 GMT
#5
Wow this is awesome!

Any chance for source? For educational purposes only of course!

edit: ah nvm, I see you answered it in faq.
Moderator"We're a community of geniuses because we've found how to extract 95% of the feeling of doing something amazing without actually doing anything." - Chill
Caos2
Profile Joined November 2008
United States1728 Posts
May 13 2011 12:57 GMT
#6
I'd love for streamers to use this, a lot easier for non-korean speaking folks.
Suc
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Australia1569 Posts
May 13 2011 14:03 GMT
#7
Great contribution, it's about time bw got something like this.
Armathai
Profile Joined October 2007
1023 Posts
May 13 2011 14:07 GMT
#8
Wow this is awesome! I've always been missing a simple solution for putting up player scores.

Great first post, and dosbox is an awesome name, I remember using dosbox to play Tie Fighter, Billy the Kid and other great classics <3

Looking for ArcticCerebrate formerly from @USEast
Grobyc
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Canada18410 Posts
May 13 2011 14:41 GMT
#9
Sweet, I'll probably use this next time I decide to cast replays or something
If you watch Godzilla backwards it's about a benevolent lizard who helps rebuild a city and then moonwalks into the ocean.
byFd
Profile Joined May 2006
Germany620 Posts
May 13 2011 15:29 GMT
#10
thumbs up for the effort!

and nice and clean style, fits to bw imho!
(>°_°)>
Rodiel3
Profile Joined March 2011
France1158 Posts
May 13 2011 15:30 GMT
#11
Thx u, i test it
http://www.youtube.com/user/rodiel3 SCBW FPVOD
infinity2k9
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United Kingdom2397 Posts
May 13 2011 15:32 GMT
#12
I like efficient programs, good job.
byFd
Profile Joined May 2006
Germany620 Posts
May 13 2011 15:36 GMT
#13
ah btw, whats bc in bcoverlay mean?
(>°_°)>
One Page Memory
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
Bulgaria2145 Posts
May 13 2011 16:03 GMT
#14
Welcome and great first post!
Thanks!
Jin Youngsoo before game with Savior: But, I demanded myself (of composure) by saying: Same old, same old - only a Zerg, only a Zerg
[-Bluewolf-]
Profile Blog Joined January 2003
United States609 Posts
May 13 2011 16:51 GMT
#15
Awesome! Seems quite easy to use. Going to use this for my broadcasting event tomorrow.

Thank you for making the available.
The melody of logic always plays the notes of truth.
alypse
Profile Joined May 2010
2771 Posts
May 13 2011 18:32 GMT
#16
Awesome man! Broadcasters will definitely make good use of this!
KT Violet 1988 - 2012
dosbox
Profile Joined May 2011
27 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-05-14 16:35:27
May 14 2011 16:33 GMT
#17
hello,

thanks for the comments.
@ byFd: bc means "BasiC" i guess. "boverlay" project name was already taken last time i've checked via google.

here is a quick update. the download link in the first posts now points to version 0.2. changelog:
- f5 - will show all settings in the form of a command line, so that such can be reused later on if copy/pasted to a cmd prompt or in a batch script.
- double click right mouse button - duplicates the window with all its settings (except multiline text)
- double click left mouse button - closes the window

notice: the new duplicate functionality might trigger a false-positive in AV software. let me know if this is the case, specifying the AV program (+vendor) and possibly if a heuristics engine is active.

--
[-Bluewolf-]
Profile Blog Joined January 2003
United States609 Posts
May 15 2011 04:07 GMT
#18
I used this today (Version 0.2) and appreciate the release. From my attempt to use it, noticed the following things:

1. Changing the color (F3 or F4) also seems to update the text in this version to the color that was set. So - if I have "Player VS Player" and then change the text color to white, it would now read "FFFFFF".

2. Double clicking on it shouldn't close it, I think. It is too easy to accidentally do so and it happened to me twice using this. I think it would be more user friendly for a double click to simply pop-up the text editor as it is more likely one wants to edit text rather than close it?

Thanks again for the application!
The melody of logic always plays the notes of truth.
dosbox
Profile Joined May 2011
27 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-05-15 06:56:41
May 15 2011 06:54 GMT
#19
On May 15 2011 13:07 [-Bluewolf-] wrote:
I used this today (Version 0.2) and appreciate the release. From my attempt to use it, noticed the following things:

1. Changing the color (F3 or F4) also seems to update the text in this version to the color that was set. So - if I have "Player VS Player" and then change the text color to white, it would now read "FFFFFF".


oops, that was a bug. fixed in the link in first post now (0.2a).


2. Double clicking on it shouldn't close it, I think. It is too easy to accidentally do so and it happened to me twice using this. I think it would be more user friendly for a double click to simply pop-up the text editor as it is more likely one wants to edit text rather than close it?

Thanks again for the application!


yes, you are correct - "edit text" is more intuitive for double left click. i though that it might be way to easy to close unintentionally....option is now present like you suggested in 0.2a.
--
edit:
p.s. if someone records a vod when using this overlay solution, please post a link for everyone to check out.
Chef
Profile Blog Joined August 2005
10810 Posts
May 17 2011 14:51 GMT
#20
Does it have to be in windowed mode? I kind of want to put this at the top of my screen just to pretend I am a progamer T.T lol
LEGEND!! LEGEND!!
1 2 3 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
WardiTV European League
16:00
Swiss Groups Day 3
ShoWTimE vs goblinLIVE!
Gerald vs Babymarine
Krystianer vs YoungYakov
WardiTV901
TKL 318
IndyStarCraft 235
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
mouzHeroMarine 403
TKL 318
IndyStarCraft 235
BRAT_OK 115
trigger 22
MindelVK 20
ForJumy 1
StarCraft: Brood War
Bisu 1235
Mini 1134
EffOrt 706
Shuttle 585
firebathero 550
Soulkey 322
Snow 162
Trikslyr67
sas.Sziky 62
Hyun 60
[ Show more ]
Pusan 50
Barracks 48
Aegong 37
Sharp 34
HiyA 24
soO 22
JulyZerg 13
GoRush 10
yabsab 7
Dota 2
Gorgc11717
qojqva2527
League of Legends
singsing2003
Counter-Strike
fl0m1581
byalli741
flusha469
oskar460
Foxcn125
kRYSTAL_61
Other Games
tarik_tv28794
gofns22191
FrodaN1622
Beastyqt711
ceh9629
Lowko251
elazer205
ToD159
KnowMe151
QueenE56
Organizations
Other Games
gamesdonequick49968
StarCraft 2
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
sctven
[ Show 18 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• iHatsuTV 6
• Reevou 3
• IndyKCrew
• sooper7s
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• Migwel
• intothetv
• Kozan
• LaughNgamezSOOP
StarCraft: Brood War
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
• BSLYoutube
Dota 2
• Ler103
League of Legends
• Jankos1383
• TFBlade1321
Other Games
• Scarra1933
• imaqtpie913
• Shiphtur324
Upcoming Events
PiGosaur Monday
6h 8m
The PondCast
16h 8m
uThermal 2v2 Circuit
22h 8m
WardiTV European League
22h 8m
Jumy vs NightPhoenix
Percival vs Nicoract
ArT vs HiGhDrA
MaxPax vs Harstem
Scarlett vs Shameless
SKillous vs uThermal
Replay Cast
1d 6h
RSL Revival
1d 16h
ByuN vs SHIN
Clem vs Reynor
Replay Cast
2 days
RSL Revival
2 days
Classic vs Cure
FEL
2 days
RSL Revival
3 days
[ Show More ]
FEL
3 days
FEL
3 days
CSO Cup
3 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
4 days
Bonyth vs QiaoGege
Dewalt vs Fengzi
Hawk vs Zhanhun
Sziky vs Mihu
Mihu vs QiaoGege
Zhanhun vs Sziky
Fengzi vs Hawk
Sparkling Tuna Cup
4 days
RSL Revival
4 days
FEL
4 days
BSL20 Non-Korean Champi…
5 days
Bonyth vs Dewalt
QiaoGege vs Dewalt
Hawk vs Bonyth
Sziky vs Fengzi
Mihu vs Zhanhun
QiaoGege vs Zhanhun
Fengzi vs Mihu
Replay Cast
6 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

BSL Season 20
HSC XXVII
Heroes 10 EU

Ongoing

JPL Season 2
BSL 2v2 Season 3
Acropolis #3
KCM Race Survival 2025 Season 2
CSL 17: 2025 SUMMER
Copa Latinoamericana 4
Jiahua Invitational
Championship of Russia 2025
RSL Revival: Season 1
Murky Cup #2
BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025
ESL Impact League Season 7
IEM Dallas 2025
PGL Astana 2025
Asian Champions League '25
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025
MESA Nomadic Masters
CCT Season 2 Global Finals
IEM Melbourne 2025

Upcoming

2025 ACS Season 2: Qualifier
CSLPRO Last Chance 2025
CSL Xiamen Invitational
2025 ACS Season 2
CSLPRO Chat StarLAN 3
K-Championship
uThermal 2v2 Main Event
SEL Season 2 Championship
FEL Cracov 2025
Esports World Cup 2025
Underdog Cup #2
StarSeries Fall 2025
FISSURE Playground #2
BLAST Open Fall 2025
BLAST Open Fall Qual
Esports World Cup 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall 2025
BLAST Bounty Fall Qual
IEM Cologne 2025
FISSURE Playground #1
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2025 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.