Hello, Google Research Expert.  This is my first posted question.

I have written an MFC application using Visual C++ 6.0 for generating
graphics.  A control panel affects what kind of graphics are
generated, i.e. color and size.  The control panel is positioned
underneath the graphics display window.

I would like the user's control panel actions to be invisible to the
audience.  I figured that a way to do this would be to:
1. Run the program on a laptop connected to a monitor.
2. Output only the contents of the graphics window to the monitor
connected to the laptop.

In this manner, the audience will not see the user dragging slider
bars to affect the size/color.  They will only see the results.

Certainly one approach is to use dual monitors, but I figured that
people will be much more likely to have a laptop and a
monitor/projector, than a desktop with multiple video cards and
multiple monitors.

It would be wonderful to know the answer.  If a more appropriate
category for posting this inquiry exists, please let me know.

I presume the solution will involve the following:
1. Hunt for the output port to which the external monitor connects.
2. Define the screen area occupied by the application to send to the
monitor, presumably maintaining the 4:3 display aspect ratio, i.e. 640
x 480, or 800 x 600.
3. Simultaneously send the output to the LCD display on the laptop as
usual, and send only the contents of the application window to the
output port where the monitor connects to the laptop.

Naturally, it will be the user's responsibility to configure their
laptop for dual LCD/external monitor video output.

I have seen video jockeys doing exactly this sort of thing on their
laptop connected to a projector, so I know it's possible.  I just need
to find a way.

Thank you,
Hartwell

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Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 20 May 2004 06:40 PDT

Hello -

Thanks for your question.

Are you looking for the actual code you can integrate into your
software application to perform this task, or are you looking for an
external utility you can either license or otherwise integrate into
your application?

jbf777

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Clarification of Question by hartwell-ga on 20 May 2004 09:14 PDT

Hello -

Thanks for your request for clarification.  Am looking for the actual
code, or at the very least, what programming code functions I need to
call.

Have responded myself to code inquiries, and I will usually get the
code working myself, and then send the code.  That would be the ideal
solution.

However, if I knew what computer programming functions I needed to
research, that would at least be a start.

Thanks,
hartwell

If a person has a Laptop and Windows XP, they don't need another
monitor port to do dual monitors.  In the display properties, just go
to settings, click on the monitor or projector plugged in through the
VGA port and use the "Extend my windows desktop onto this monitor"
box.  You then have two seperate, though connected, screens which can
each display different windows and therefore different content.

~Jeffrey