Background process?

Scripting Forums AppleScriptObjC and Xcode
#1

I currently have an ASOC application that runs alongside Adobe Illustrator containing all sorts of Illustrator scripts. One of the problems with it is that all Illustrator palettes disappear when I switch to my ASOC application.

One could argue that this is normal behaviour, but I noticed QuickKeys’ toolbars don’t show this behaviour. When I grab one of QuicKeys’ toolbars and drag it around, Illustrator is still the frontmost application. Is something like that possible with an ASOC application?

#2

Yes, you can do that – try using a panel, and make it Non Activating in Attributes.

#3

Cool, that’s the way to go. The only thing I’m struggling with is that the panel disappears as soon as the app runs, unless it’s a HUD-panel.

edit: this seems to give some hints how to deal with it: http://www.cocoadev.com/index.pl?NSPanel

#4

Start by playing with Visible at Launch and Hide On Deactivate.

#5

Thanks, I’ve got it working now. Apart from one thing. It really doesn’t get along very well with this little fella:

on applicationShouldTerminateAfterLastWindowClosed_(sender)
	return true
end applicationShouldTerminateAfterLastWindowClosed_

As soon as I call any other panel, say a color picker, my application quits. It’s as if my application suddenly realises there isn’t a single NSWindow open, only two NSPanels.

#6

Either change it to return true, or add code to check if a panel is open.

#7

Thanks, that works a treat. What really gets me is how obvious it is once you’re told. Again, thanks a lot Shane.

#8

Sometimes it’s worse when that’s not the case…