Copyright: Copyright © 1999 ZGroup, Inc.


Introduction
Welcome to the ZVolume Pro

ZVolume Pro is a nice, poweful replacement to the standard Windows volume control. It can be vastly customized, including change its look by skins. Besides ZVolume Pro has some additional necessary functions such as hotkeys and command-line parameters support and all other functions that a volume control may have.

ZVolume Pro includes features:

 • possibility of controlling of multiple volume controls at the same time by the nice graphical interface;

 • adjustment of each volume control using independent window;

 • each window may consist of a mute bar, a volume bar, a balance bar and an info bar. Each window has own customization: own skin, a screen placement and configuration of bars;

 • the first-time automatic loading of the standard volume control's settings and creating of the windows to control they;

 • popup menu for easy creating of the control window;

 • unlimited count of the windows;

 • support up to 4 audio mixers;

 • hiding in the system tray only. You can change program's tray icon or remove it entirely;

 • watching volume changes and redrawing graphical sliders;

 • joining all windows to the whole;

 • support of a bitmap skins with different dimension;

 • special styled cursors feature;

 • controlling volume by customizable hotkeys;

 • support of plugins. A plugin can control other program(s) by hotkeys;

 • open plugin interface. It means that the plugin can be written by everybody;

 • fast program configuring "on the fly";

 • automatic loading of the program at the system start-up;

 • restoring volume levels on start;

 • auto-save of settings at the system shutdown;

 • forcing Winamp player to save its settings at the system shutdown;

 • support of command-line parameters;

 • support of mouse with rolls or wheels;

 • multiuser support;

 • pure Win32 API code.

This program is neither freeware nor public domain. Use after the 30 day trial period requires registration. The registration fee is only $19.95. See Purchase ZVolume Pro for details on registration and support.


Purchase ZVolume
Purchase ZVolume Pro

ZVolume Pro is neither freeware nor public domain.

Use after the 30 day trial period requires registration.

The registration fee is only $19.95.

Why should I register?

 • You will never see the 'Nag' screen...

 • The support of the command-line parameters will be available.

 • Full technical support.

 • All new versions and updates of ZVolume Pro will be free for you!

And after all:

 I did my best to make ZVolume Pro usefull for you and have a lot of ideas

to be implemented in future versions but that I won't be able to realize without your support...

How to register?

• Online ordering

   Follow the link

          https://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-softsell.cgi?item=1808-6

 • Telephone and Fax Orders

   These types of orders should include ALL information contained on the order form.

In addition, you should include the product ID: 1808-6

Telephone

Toll Free: 877-353-7297

Regular (International): 425-392-2294

Fax

Toll Free: 888-353-7276

Regular (International): 425-392-0223

 • Paying by Check via Postal Mail

   Make the check payable out to "Register Now!". Provide all of the information

on the regular order form except credit card information. Please also make sure you

include the department number: 1808-6. Please mail checks to:

Register Now!

Dept# 1808-6

PO Box 1816

Issaquah, WA 98027

United States of America

For international checks, we would prefer the funds be drawn in US dollars.

When this is not possible, we will accept checks for a corresponding amount

in the country's currency.

Latest ways of registration can be found at our web site http://www.shelltoys.com/zvolume/register.shtml


Software license agreement

Please read the following terms and conditions carefully before using this software. Your use of this software indicates your acceptance of this license agreement.

     ZVolume is shareware. You may install this program to test and evaluate for 30 days; after that time you must either register this program or delete it from your computer hard drive.

     You may not alter this software in any way, including changing or removing any messages or windows.

ZVOLUME IS DISTRIBUTED "AS IS". NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. YOU USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. THE AUTHOR WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DATA LOSS, DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF LOSS WHILE USING OR MISUSING THIS SOFTWARE.

     One registered copy of ZVolume Pro may either be used by a single person who uses the software personally on one or more computers.

     You are hereby licensed to make as many copies of the shareware version of this software and documentation as you wish; give exact copies of the original shareware version to anyone; and distribute the shareware version of the software and documentation in its unmodified form via electronic means. There is no charge for any of the above.

     All copyrights to ZVolume are exclusively owned by ShellToys Inc. and the author - Roman Medvedev.

     Installing and using ZVolume signifies acceptance of these terms and conditions of the license. If you do not agree with the terms of this license you must remove ZVolume files from your storage devices and cease to use the product.

See Purchase ZVolume Pro section for obtaining a registered version of this software.


Contact us

We very highly appreciate responses of our clients. Please take a moment to share your feelings, ideas and bug-reports. You can free contact to us on the following addresses:

• Internet

     http://www.shelltoys.com

• E-Mail

     Technical support: zvolume@shelltoys.com

     Sales department: sales@shelltoys.com


Providing feedback and suggestions

Your comments and suggestions to improve our software are most welcome. Please send them to zvolume@shelltoys.com

If you wish to control you favorite program by hotkeys, write to us about it. We shall try to make plugin for it.

Thank you for your time and support.


Standard plugins

ZVolume allows you powerful mean of controlling your computer with customizable hotkeys.

You can extend ZVolume by plugins.

The full installation package of ZVolume Pro has some useful plugins for controlling Winamp, Sonique™, NAD MP3 Player, WPlay(Pro), Windows CD Player and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x/5.x

Besides ZVolume has integrated plugin for controlling the volume, of your sound card and ZVolume itself

See Plugins section for more details on plugins.

Volume controlling:

Increase volume	[Ctrl+Alt+Gray+]
Decrease volume	[Ctrl+Alt+Gray-]
Balance more to the left	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 1]
Balance more to the right	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 3]
Balance to center	none by default
Increase volume more(+15%)	none by default
Decrease volume more(-15%)	none by default
Increase volume fine	Shift+Alt+Num +
Decrease volume fine	Shift+Alt+Num -
Mute on/off	[Shift+Alt+Num -]

ZVolume controlling:

Start Windows Volume control	none by default
Show 'Settings' dialog	none by default

Winamp controlling:

Play	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 5]
Stop	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 8]
Pause	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 2]
Next Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 6]
Previous Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 4]
Forward 5 sec	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 9]
Backward 5 sec	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 7]
Load	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 0]
Increase volume(Wave Out)	none by default
Decrease volume(Wave Out)	none by default
Toggle playlist	none by default
Toggle equalizer	none by default
View file info	none by default
Pop Winamp window	none by default
Show/Hide Winamp window	none by default

 * Enable hotkeys for this program using 'Load defaults' button of the 'Settings' dialog.

Sonique™ controlling:

Play	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 5]
Stop	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 8]
Pause	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 2]
Unpause	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 7]
Next Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 6]
Previous Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 4]
Load	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 0]

 * Enable hotkeys for this program using 'Load defaults' button of the 'Settings' dialog.

NAD MP3 Player controlling:

Play	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 5]
Stop	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 8]
Pause	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 2]
Next Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 6]
Previous Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 4]

 * Enable hotkeys for this program using 'Load defaults' button of the 'Settings' dialog.

WPlay(Pro) controlling:

Play	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 5]
Stop	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 8]
Pause	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 2]
Next Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 6]
Previous Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 4]

 * Enable hotkeys for this program using 'Load defaults' button of the 'Settings' dialog.

Windows CD Player controlling:

Start	none by default
Play	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 5]
Stop	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 8]
Pause	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 2]
Next Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 6]
Previous Track	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 4]
Eject CD	[Ctrl+Alt+Num 0]

 * Enable hotkeys for this program using 'Load defaults' button of the 'Settings' dialog.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x/5.x controlling:

New window	none by default
Save page as...	Ctrl+Shift+S
Back	Ctrl+Alt+Z
Forward	Ctrl+Alt+X
Font larger	Shift+Num +
Font smaller	Shift+Num -
Change codepage to KOI-8	none by default
Change codepage to CP-1251	none by default

 * Enable hotkeys for this program using 'Load defaults' button of the 'Settings' dialog.

If you would like to have a plugin for your favortite program, write us. We shall make a plugin for you. See 'Suggest a feature!' section for details.


How does it work

A control window of ZVolume Pro and how to handle it are on the picture.

ZVolume Pro can be controlled by:

 • Mouse cursor

 • Keyboard

 • Hotkeys(see Standard plugins for details)

While the control window is active, you can move the sliders as by a cursor of the mouse, and from the keyboard. Direction keys are:

Smooth volume raise	[Up]
Smooth volume decrease	[Down]
Balance more to the left	[Left]
Balance more to the right	[Right]
Balance to center	[Enter]
Quick volume raising(+15%)	[Page Up]
Quick volume decreasing(-15%)	[Page Down]
Volume to minimum	[Home]
Volume to maximum	[End]

These keys cannot be configured, but all hotkeys can.

How to customize ZVolume Pro see Configuration section.

All the major functions of ZVolume can be applyed by popup menu.

To show popup menu you are necessary to click the right mouse button on the tray icon or any of the ZVolume's control windows.

You can get a menu such as:

Click on a menu item to get a little help on it.

The middle part of the menu is dependent of a control window on which you click.

ZVolume can change its look by skins.

You can control your favorite program by customizabe hotkeys.

See Plugins for details.

ZVolume supports command-line parameters. See 'Command-line parameters reference' for details.


Configuration

Use the 'Settings' dialog to customize your ZVolume Pro.

Click the 'Settings' item in the popup menu to open this dialog..

The dialog has four pages: General settings, Customize windows, Hotkeys and Plugins.

Use a menu bar on the left to navigate through the pages.

Click 'Apply' button to apply changes without closing the dialog or 'Close' to apply and close the one.


Change control
Select volume control - displays the devices on your system that you can control the sound for. Click to adjust the volume for the device.


Mixer device
Mixer device - displays the mixer devices installed on your computer. Click the one you want to control the sound for.


Change hotkey
Change - click to set the hotkey pointed in above field to selected action.


Hotkey edit
Action hotkey - displays and inputs key combination for selected action.

To change hotkey click the 'Change' button.


Select action
Select action - displays supported programs and possible actions for them. Select the one you want to view or change the hotkey.


Restore volume
Restore volume - if you check this, it allows ZVolume to restore volumes saved at previous session.


Always on top
Always on top - if you check this box, it allows ZVolume's control windows to be placed above all nontopmost windows and stay above them even if the ZVolume is deactivated.


Load on system startup
Load on system startup - if you check this box, it allows ZVolume to run automatically on system startup.


Save settings
Save settings on exit - if you check this box, it allows ZVolume to save settings at exit.

At the windows shutdown ZVolume saves settings automatically if this box is checked.


Use tooltips
Use tool tips - if you check this box, it allows ZVolume to show a tool tip to display some useful information.


Watch changes
Watch mixer changes - if you check this box, it allows ZVolume to watch all changes of the volume and display the real volume.


Multiple instances
Allow multiple instances - if you check this box, it allows ZVolume to have more than one ZVolume control functioning at a time.


Hide
Hide - if you check this box, it allows the control window to be invisible.


Left button moving
Left mouse button moving - if you check this box, it allows you to move control window by left mouse button.


OK
OK - click to save settings on the disk and close the dialog.


Default
Restore defaults - click to restore default settings. The settings will be applied immediately.


Apply
Apply - click to apply and save the settings.


About
About - click to display the 'About' window.


Help
Help - click to display this help.


Volume control
Volume control... - click to start standard volume control (sndvol32.exe).

Also you can use the hotkey for it. See Standard plugins.


Close
Close - click to close ZVolume control window.


Inactive hotkeys
Hotkeys are deactivated when the 'Hotkeys' page is opened.

Because of editing of activated hotkeys can to be a matter of some difficulty.


Restore volume on start
Restore volume on start - if you check this box, it allows ZVolume to restore volumes saved at previous session.


Always on top PM
Always on top - if you check this, it allows ZVolume's control windows to be placed above all nontopmost windows and stay above them even if ZVolume is deactivated.


Hide PM
Hide - if you check this, it allows the control window to be invisible.

Use 'Settings' dialog to show it again.


Command-line parameters reference

ZVolume Pro supports command-line parameters. They are:

/h	displays command-line reference help
/r=x	sets volume of right channel to x percents
/l=x	sets volume of left channel to x percents
/w={off|on}	mute or unmute a control
/f=y:x	sets a volume control to x where x is a symbolic name of control and y is a destination
/d=x	sets mixer device to zero-based index x
/e	orders to exit after performing actions

 * Command-line parameters support is available only for registered users.


Hotkey
Hotkey - is a key combination, that activates some function of program.


Volume slider
Volume slider - drag this slider right to raise the volume and left to lower the volume.


Skin
Skin is a set of graphics used by an application to create it's appearance. You can change a look of ZVolume at any time using skins.


Tooltip
Information window - displays current position of moving slider.


Adjust
Adjust volume for - displays the types of sound whose playback you can control. Click the one you want to control the sound for.


Current control
Current volume control - displays current controlled device.


Set Skins Directory
Set skins directory - click to browse for the folder where the skins are located. Skin's subfolders are supported.


Skins List
Skins list - displays the skins founded in selected directory.

The directory can be selected by 'Set skins directory' button.


Subdirs search
Search in subdirectories - if you push this button, it causes to scan subdirectories where volume.bmp file is founded. If you unpush this button, it causes to do not scan subdirectories.

This option is obsolete.


Show balance bar
Show balance bar - if you check this box, balance bar will be shown and allows you to control balance of playback by mouse cursor.


Use styled cursors
Use ZVolume-styled cursors - if you check this box, it causes to change standard mouse cursor to ZVolume-styled cursor when it is in the window area of ZVolume.


Delete hotkey
Delete - click to delete the hotkey for selected action.


Test action
Test action - click to process the action. It is usable for view a result of direct processing of action.


Settings General
Settings - General Settings

This page allows to configure general settings of the program and the user interface.

Click on any dialog item with left mouse botton and get a little help on it.


Settings Hotkeys
Settings - Hotkeys

This page allows to configure hotkeys for various programs and actions.

Click on any dialog item with left mouse botton and get a little help on it.

Pay attention to the 'Action hotkey' controls group. Both buttons change own functions depending on the type of selected item. If selected item is a group, the buttons like on the upper fugure, otherwise if selected item is an action, like on the lower figure.


Show tray icon
Show tray icon - check this box to show tray icon of ZVolume.


Show mute bar
Show mute bar - if you check this box, mute bar will be shown and allows you to mute the volume.


Independent NumLock
Hotkeys are independents of NumLock status - if you check this box, hotkeys are independets of Num Lock status.


Suggest a feature!

Have you a program that tire you with infinite menus and disadvantage of a hot keys?

Would you like to perform any operations by simple key combination?

Have you written the program, but can not (or do not want) to make for it hot keys support?

Then this offer is for you!

We shall create hotkeys support for your program(if it probably) for FREE.

Please fill the form on our web page on-line. Follow this link: http://www.shelltoys.com/zvolume/suggest.shtml

Otherwise you can send form via e-mail to zvolume@shelltoys.com

Please fill ALL fields.

Your name: [                                                                      ]

E-mail: [                                                                             ]

Are you registered user of ZVolume?(Yes/No) [                ]

Program title: [                                                                   ]

Program home page URL: [                                               ]

Program download URL: [                                                ]

Are you author of this program?(Yes/No) [                       ]

What operations do you want to perform by hotkeys?

Please enumerate all of them.

[                                                                                       ]

[                                                                                       ]

[                                                                                       ]

Comments to us:

[                                                                                       ]

[                                                                                       ]

[                                                                                       ]

Send to our e-mail zvolume@shelltoys.com


New control
New control - click a control name to create new window to control.


Exit
Exit - click to close ZVolume.


Mute
Mute - click to mute or unmute the sound of the specified control.


Mute All
Mute All - click to mute or unmute the sound of the Master Volume.


Align
Align - allows all ZVolume's control windows to be aligned and joined to the whole. It is very useful to move all windows together.


Plugins

ZVolume Pro allows you powerful mean of controlling your computer with customizable hotkeys.

You can extend ZVolume Pro by plugins.

Main feature of all plugins is controlling of a program by means of hotkeys, but it is not obligatory.

ZVolume Pro plugin is a native Win32 DLL with defined interface.

Each plugin is located in own directory of "ZVolume\Plugins\" folder.

Above all ZVolume Pro has integrated plugin for controlling the volume of your sound card and itself.

The full installation package of ZVolume Pro has some useful plugins for controlling Winamp, Sonique™, NAD MP3 Player, WPlay(Pro), Windows CD Player and Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x/5.x

See Standard plugins' for details.

Download more plugins from our web page: http://www.shelltoys.com/zvolume/plugins.shtml

If you would like to have a plugin for your favortite program, write us. We shall make a plugin for you. See 'Suggest a feature!' for details.

If you would like to make your own plugin, please download ZVolume Plugin SDK from our web page: http://www.shelltoys.com/files/zvp-sdk.zip


Short tool tips
Short tool tips - use short tool tips instead of the default long one.


Settings_Close
Close - click to save settings on the disk and close the dialog.


Tray icon slider
Tray icon slider - drag ths slider to change tray icon.


Tray icon
Tray icon - preview a icon which will be placed to the tray.


Menu bar
Menu bar - select an icon to show corresponding tab of the dialog.


Settings_Help
Help - click to open this help.


Settings Plugins
Settings - Plugins

This page allows to manage installed plugins.

Click on any dialog item with left mouse botton and get a little help on it.


Settings Customize windows
Settings - Customize windows

This page allows to customize each control window or all together.

Click on any dialog item with left mouse botton and get a little help on it.


Load defaults
Load defaults - click to load default hotkeys of the selected group.


Clear All
Clear All - click to clear all hotkeys of selected group.


Plugin
Plugin is a special complementary module for a program.


Plugins list
Plugins list - displays the installed plugins.

The plugins' directory can be selected by 'Set plugins directory' button.

See 'Plugins' section for details.


Plugin_About
About - click to open the 'About' window of the selected plugin.


Plugin_settings
Settings - click to open the 'Settings' window of the selected plugin. If this button is gray, customization of the plugin is not available.


Plugin_status
Status - click to change status of the selected plugin to 'disabled' or 'enabled'.

'Disabled' status means that hotkeys will not be extracted from this plugin.


Plugin_up
Up - click to move up the selected plugin in the order.


Plugin_down
Down - click to move down the selected plugin in the order.


Plugin_description
Description - description of the selected plugin. It reds from the original .txt file.


Set plugins directory
Set plugins directory - click to browse for the folder where the plugins are located. 'ZVolume\Plugins' by default.


Show info bar
Show info bar - if you check this box, info bar will be shown and display some information to you.


Moving out of the edges
Moving out of the edges - if you check this box, it allows the control window to be moved out of the edges of the screen.


Window_new
New - click to make new control window.


Window_find
Find - click to find selected window. The window will blink a little time.


Window_delete
Delete - click to delete focused window. You cannot to delete more then one window.


Windows list
Windows list -  displays the control windows. Select a row to customize window.


Skins

ZVolume provides you an easy way to have nice user interface with attractive skins.

If you would like to change the skin do the following:

1. Open the 'Settings' dialog.

2. Activate 'Customize windows' tab.

3. Select control window(s) which you wish to change.

4. Activate 'Skins' tab and select a skin from the list.

Download more skins from our web page: http://www.shelltoys.com/zvolume/skins.shtml

If you would like to make your own skin, please follow the rules:

1. ZVolume skin is a set of bitmap files: balance.bmp, volume.bmp, switch.bmp and info.bmp.

    Each file corresponds to the bars of ZVolume's control window.

2. The skin can have the different dimension. The dimension is determined automatically proceeding the sizes of the appropriate bitmaps:

     the overall height of the skin equals the height of the switch.bmp(if this file is absent, the height is 14 pixels);

     the width of the switch bar equals the width of the switch.bmp divided by 2;

     the width of the volume, balance and info bars equal the width of the appropriate bitmap files(i.e. volume.bmp, balance.bmp and info.bmp).

3. All bitmap files have several images for various states of the control window. All images can be located in strict order as described below.

The order and amount of images are:

     switch.bmp file has 2 images for "unmuted" and "muted" state;

     volume.bmp file has N(you define it yourself) images for each position of the slider.

N cannot be greater then the width of volume.bmp. The images are ordered from "0" to "100%";

     balance.bmp file has N(you define it yourself) images for each position of the slider.depend on the width of balance.bmp. Number of images is calculated by the formula: the_width_of_balance.bmp-2*pixel_for_the_border-the_width_of_the_slider.

 The images are ordered from "Left" to "Right";

     info.bmp file has 28 images for each recognizing volume control. These are:

Playback volume control

 1   Master volume control

 2   Bass control

 3   Treble control

 4   Equalizer control

 5   Wavetable

 6   Wave out

 7   Telephone

 8   Microphone

 9   Line Level

10   Compact disk

11   Video

12   Auxiliary

13   PC Speaker

14   Analog

15   Other

Recording control

16   Telephone

17   Microphone

18   Line Level

19   Compact disk

20   Video

21   Auxiliary

22   Analog(Mono/stereo mixers, etc.)

23   Other

Voice Recognition

24   Microphone

25   Line Level

26   Other

Other controls

27   Front/Rear Fader

28   Other

4. Volume.bmp and balance.bmp files have two special images for sliders. These are beneath the "position" images. These are the same dimension. The dimension is determined by the special one-color frame.

Examine the standard skins for a better comprehension.

There are all items of information which to you are necessary for making your own attractive skins. Don't forget to upload it to www.skinz.org in ZVolume section.


Window_tab
Tab - click a tab to show appropriate page.


Shutdown Winamp as well
Shutdown Winamp as well -  if you check this box, it allows ZVolume to close Winamp player at the system shutdown. This forces Winamp to save its settings and playlist.


Mouse Roll support

ZVolume Pro supports mice with rolls(rollers or wheels).

You can adjust a sound volume rolling the wheel on the mouse.

There are some extra actions to control ZVolume Pro while rolling:

 • hold the right mouse button to change the balance;

 • hold the left mouse button to adjust the volume fluently;

 • hold the left and right mouse buttons at the same time to change the balance fluently.


All controls
All - click to open all controls


None of controls
None - click to close all opened controls


Settings - Customize windows(Audio)

This page allows to customize each control window or all together.

Click on any dialog item with left mouse botton and get a little help on it.


Settings - Customize windows(Skins)

This page allows to customize each control window or all together.

Click on any dialog item with left mouse botton and get a little help on it.


Window_Select_all
Select All - select all windows. You can select all windows by pressing [Ctrl+A] also.