Here's how to record a standard macro using PTFB Pro:
You've seen how to create a macro that operates on a specific window, but PTFB Pro also has a "window-less" or screen macro.
You're probably wondering what the differences are between the two types of macro, and why you might choose one over the other.
As already mentioned, the standard window-based macro is designed to operate on exactly one window. It stores mouse positions relative to the top/left corner of the window, so the macro will still perform correctly if the window changes position from one appearance to the next.
On the other hand a screen macro has no tolerance for windows that change position. It can however operate anywhere on the screen, even the desktop and taskbar. Also, since it doesn't need a target window to be present before it will run, you don't spend any time tweaking the target identification settings. It's often a good choice if you're working through a repetitive editing task in a maximized program window. Maybe you want to quickly record a one-off macro to help get the task done quickly? Just create a screen macro to edit one line and move to the next, then play it back repeatedly (maybe using the Run Macro hotkey?) until the job is done.
To create a screen macro, click on the right side of the Macro button and choose "New Screen Macro" from the resulting menu. Alternatively, hit the Options button and navigate to the "New Macro" sub-menu.
When you create a screen macro, you skip step (3) in the list above - you don't nominate a target window. Instead, you go straight to the recording stage.
NOTE: You may want to change the default name assigned to the new macro.
Now you've created a new macro, you may want to tweak some of its settings.
You'll notice that the new macro has been given a name based on the caption of the target window, but you may wish to change this to something more meaningful. The new entry has also been given the current default delay, meaning that PTFB Pro will wait a moment between seeing the target window and pressing the target button. You might wish to change this delay, or set the macro to repeat automatically.
Alternatively, you might like to change the triggers that cause the macro to run. Maybe you only want it to run at certain times of certain days of the week, or maybe you'd like to define hotkey to run the macro on demand.
And there's another reason why you might like to edit the new entry's settings. PTFB Pro works hard to avoid "false positives" - pressing a button in the wrong window - by ensuring that every detail of the window matches the snapshot it took when the entry was created. Unfortunately some windows change subtly each time they're displayed, so you may need to tell PTFB Pro to be a little less strict when it comes to recognizing this target. Take care however - macros are often closely tied to the original target window; if you make them fire for different windows, you not get the result you were wanting.
The following topic tells you how to make these changes and more:
Macros - Tweaking the Settings
Don't forget that PTFB Pro won't let a macro run automatically while its main window is open.
To put PTFB Pro to work, click "Start Watching", or press the Close box in the top-right corner. PTFB Pro will minimize to the system tray and keep watch for targets!
One more thing: both play back and recording can typically be stopped by tapping the Pause/Break key (on most keyboards, this is grouped together with Scroll Lock and Print Screen). If for any reason PTFB Pro doesn't respond to this, try holding down CTRL and tapping the Escape (Esc) key.