To get started, run the version suited for your system. On systems older than 2005, the x32 edition is suited (e.g., Windows XP 32-bits). For system newer than 2005, please execute the x64 edition.
This program is an On-Screen Display or a Heads-Up Display for keys. It displays every key or mouse button press at a clearly visible text size. I developed it for people like me, with poor eye sight or low vision. It is meant to aid desktop computer usage. It is especially useful while chatting or for occasional typing. The user no longer has to squint at the screen or zoom in the entire screen to see what s/he wrote for every text field.
This application can also be used for screen casts or presentations by disabling typing mode. To this end, a panel with Quick Start Presets is provided within the application.
Numerous unique features, options and settings are available in the different Preferences windows provided in the program, such that everyone can find a way to adapt it to personal needs.
This application has full-support for Cyrillic, Greek and Latin [extended] alphabets and almost any language based on abugida scripts: Bengali, Devanagari, Telugu, Tamil, and so on.
To type in Chinese, Japanese or Arabic [right to left - abjad scripts], one must use the «Alternate typing mode» feature. In this typing mode, the user types directly into the KeyPress OSD window and one can copy or send texts to almost any host application.
Through the development of this project, Drugwash (from the AHK forums) substantially contributed with code and feedback. Many thanks to you!
In addition, many thanks for the great support and help to the people on #ahk (irc.freenode.net) and from the AHK forum.
KeyPress OSD: Features
Support for at least 200 keyboard layouts. It recognizes key names with Shift, AltGr, and dead keys for each of these layouts.
Full-support for Cyrillic, Greek and Latin [extended] alphabets and almost any language based on abugida scripts: Bengali, Devanagari, Telugu, Tamil, and so on...
In alternate typing mode, full support for Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other languages and keyboard layouts.
Automatic detection of keyboard layouts.
Display a list of previously pressed keys, useful for video tutorials.
Detection of complex keyboard combinations, e.g., Shift + E + Space + Right Click. [only when typing mode is disabled]
Count key presses or key fires and mouse clicks.
Indicators for Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock states.
Typing mode. It shows what you are typing in an expanding text area.
Virtual caret/cursor navigation:
Navigate through typed text in the OSD in synch with the text field of the host application.
Basic support for copy, paste, cut and undo with Ctrl + A / Z / X / C / V.
Support for text selections with customizable style.
Shortcuts to copy the text from the active text field into the OSD, or paste the OSD content to it.
Advanced automatic text expansion [or auto-replace], e.g, 'btw' expands to 'by the way', or 'bbl' to 'be back later'. The snippets can be invoked by keyboard shortcuts as well. These can be dynamic, with various types of references: argumements/variables, other snippets, the clipboard and so on. Caret repositioning is also possible.
Multi-Clipboard support. You can easily retrieve previous clipboard contents and text typed in the OSD. The texts stored in the clipboards retain their formatting. You can easily manage the list, and pin/lock clipboards.
Multiline preview for long text lines.
Typed text history. On pressing Enter or Escape, it records written lines. You can get back to them by invoking the multiline preview with {Pause} key.
Automatic resizing of the OSD / HUD.
Various options to personalize the OSD: size, position, colors, style, and set alignment to left, center or right.
Rename keyboard keys or keyboard combinations to anything
The OSD can hide or switch its location automatically when the mouse cursor runs over it. Or you can have it allow drag to facilitate repositioning at any time.
Mouse Spotlight. Emphasize the mouse cursor location by darkening the entire screen except for a user-defined radius around its location.
Customizable visual mouse clicks and mouse halo to indicate its location, flash mouse cursor after idling.
Mouse keys. Move the mouse cursor with the numpad keys.
Ability to lock Left, Right and Middle clicks to facilitate drag-n-drop operations, using ScrollLock or numpad Enter.
Option to wrap / warp mouse movements at screen edges.
Ability to move in 16 different directions by combining two directions simultaneously.
Ease to alternate between cursor speeds using Capslock.
Distinct beepers for different types of keys and buttons or when typing with Capslock.
Full multi-monitor support.
Toolbar for enhanced touch screens support.
Portable. No need to install/uninstall. Settings stored in an easy to read INI file.
Easy to configure with many options in Settings windows to toggle features and customize behavior and look.