AutoHotkey Tip of the Week: Embed Images Directly in the AHK Script

Rather than Use the FileInstall AutoHotkey Command, This Trick Allows You to Lodge Images Directly into Your AutoHotkey Scripts

In the past, whenever I wanted to add a graphic image to an AutoHotkey script, I needed to either separately provided the file or embed it in the compiled EXE file using the FileInstall command. The AutoHotkey world has opened my eyes to an ancient technique for embedding an image directly in the AHK script—no need to supply the file separately or embed it by compiling the script.

Quick Fix for Inserting Color Data into Windows Paint (AutoHotkey Tip)

Auto-Fill Windows Program Data Fields Using RegEx—Plus, Alternative for Pop-up Messages

While the Coloretta Viva script copies pixel colors, transferring codes to Windows Paint gets awkward. This AutoHotkey data filling technique for multiple fields works in any Windows program. Plus, we look at another method for popping up user messages.

I recently highlighted the AutoHotkey Coloretta Viva color picking app at ComputorEdge Software Showcase. As a color matching tool, I consider the script an excellent start. However, I offer a couple of observations.

Why AutoHotkey for Artists and Graphic Designers?

While Using AutoHotkey with Windows Makes Sense for Most Professions, It’s Not So Obvious for Artists and Graphic Designers

If you work in the graphic arts on computers, then you know that a multitude of programs exists for creating designs and original art pieces. Each one works a little differently with specific strengths and weaknesses. You may even use a couple of particular software packages for certain projects. Wouldn’t it be nice to own a few tools which work in every one of those programs?

When producing ads and capturing screenshots, even I use a number of disparate apps for designing and finishing the artwork. (I have a preference for the free Paint.Net program.) However, no matter how powerful and feature-filled the software, I always want the tools to do a little more while working in each program. That’s where AutoHotkey comes in.

New Hotkey Book! (AutoHotkey Tips and Tricks)

AutoHotkey Techniques and Best Practices E-Book for Automating Your Windows Computers with Hotkey Combinations—Includes Something for Everyone!

Whether you’re a noobie to AutoHotkey scripts or an advanced programmer, of all my books, AutoHotkey Hotkeys may be the most important for new little-known tricks and useful ideas. It’s not that the other books don’t cover significant features of AutoHotkey, but this book includes some of the most practical tips for adding power to your scripts. I didn’t plan it that way.

AutoHotkey Script for Precision Hotkey Mouse Movement in Windows Graphics Programs—Continued (Beginning Hotkeys Part 16)

This Short AutoHotkey App Adds Pixel Level Precision to Mouse Cursor Movement in Any Windows Graphics Program.

This time we add more cursor directions by implementing numeric keypad Hotkey Scan Codes, plus a feature for temporarily adding these micro cursor hotkeys to any new graphics app.

AutoHotkey Script for Precision Hotkey Mouse Movement in Windows Graphics Programs (Beginning Hotkeys Part 15)

This Short AutoHotkey App Adds Pixel Level Precision to Mouse Cursor Movement in Any Windows Graphics Program. Plus, Best Practices When Creating Hotkeys and More.

From time to time I use various Windows graphics programs. I regularly open Irfanview as my default image reader and occasionally use the built-in Windows Snipping Tool for screen capture. But my favorite graphics program is the free Paint.Net image and photo editing software for PCs. I usually design Web ads and cleanup embedded images with Paint.Net. However, there is one annoying factor when working with virtually any graphics software. Using a mouse for selection and alignment tends to be inaccurate and sloppy. It’s very difficult to move the mouse cursor with pixel level exactness—at least not without massively magnifying the image size.