Tutorial: Creating MSN Messenger gesture actions

Make sure StrokeIt is on. Then open it to this screen:

Alright, this tutorial is going to illustrate to you how to create some customized gesture actions for MSN messenger (as the title denotes).

For instance, say you use the phrase "LOL" very often, and find it tedious to type it all the time, or you mistakenly jumble the phrase by typing "lOL" or "lom"; not very good. I personally have StrokeIt recognize when I make an "L" motion with my mouse, it will type in "LOL" for me, and enter it in, as if I typed it myself. This is what I’m going to show you how to do.

Ok, you have StrokeIt open, and you’re in the main screen right? Good. Right click over in the white area and select "New Application".

This will create a new application on the list entitled "App", let’s rename it now for readability later to "MSN Messenger" by right-clicking on "App" and then clicking "Rename".

Ok, now we have to make StrokeIt recognize the MSN Messenger program, this is done very simply. First make sure MSN Messenger is open, then, from StrokeIt, drag the crosshair on the right, under "Identify Window By" over to the MSN Messenger window, as shown below:

Note: Any where on the MSN window will do. Make sure the "File Name" radial button is checked on the StrokeIt window (highlighted in green on above picture)

Now lets add an action to it by right-clicking once again on the newly renamed "MSN Messenger" app, and clicking on "New Action".

Your window now should look like this:

If you would like, you can rename "New Action" to say "LOL" for readability. You rename this in the same manner you renamed "App" to "MSN Messenger".

Now it’s time to associate a gesture with what action we want StrokeIt to perform. Click on the down arrow right above "Remove Gesture" and you will see a list of pre-programmed gestures that come with StrokeIt. I chose to use "L" you can choose what ever you’d like, but this tutorial will continue as if you chose "L" also.

Click "Add Gesture" so that StrokeIt will perform an action when you make the "L" gesture.

Note: You may add multiple gestures to perform one action if you so choose.

Ok, now let’s add an action to this gesture. Go back over to the right and right-click on your newly added action, and select "New Command".

You’ll notice that the right side of StrokeIt has changed once again, this time to the command editor view.

From the down arrow menu near the top, select "Keys - Send Keystrokes"

And follow the model below:

The "[enter_down][enter_up]" command simulates an ‘enter’ key press. So after you make the "L" gesture, it will type "LOL" and then press ‘enter’ for you so that the message is send without a single keystroke by you. Isn’t that nice? Alternatively, you could just use [enter], since it's easier. Using [enter_down] and [enter_up] is perfect for situations where you need to hold a key down while pressing another key, for example: [alt_down][f4][alt_up] will press and hold Alt, press and release the F4 key, and the release Alt. Nifty, eh?

And that’s all there is to that, why don’t you try it out! Just for reference, the "L" is made as follows:

Hope this was helpful.

-Carl