New Mac user - transparent Igor background?

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I have just started using a Mac, and have met more than a few annoyances with settings that can't be changed, including this Igor-specific problem:

In OS X (10.6.8) the graph windows, data browser etc all sit on top of whatever other application windows are open. When I'm using Igor, I don't want to see my email, web browser etc in the background - it's just horrible clutter. In Windows, all Igor windows are set against the plain grey application background. Nice and clean. Is there a way to replicate this on a Mac? I've not found it yet, other than minimising all other applications and setting a solid colour desktop.


Thanks.
Your best bet here is to use Spaces. From the Apple : System Preferences menu, choose Expose' and Spaces. Create an additional space and add Igor to just that space. Put all your other applications in the other space. Click the setting to switch applications to their own spaces.

You can play around with this a bit until it works as you might want. I am attaching an image of my Spaces configuration as an example.

I am also using an app called HyperSpaces that allows me to set different backgrounds and hide the dock + desktop icons when switching spaces. When I switch to Igor Pro, everything disappears and my desktop is a blank color.

Be aware ... under Lion, Expose' and Spaces will get a major make-over, and full screen mode is coming too. All of this should make your wish easier to fulfill, especially full screen mode (while killing off such third party apps as HyperSpaces).

HTH

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J. J. Weimer
Chemistry / Chemical & Materials Engineering, UAHuntsville
spaces.png (106.49 KB)

July 13, 2011 at 04:26 am - Permalink

For us old-timers, while running any application, you also have the option of choosing Igor Pro->Hide Others. If your desktop is set to plain gray, you will have a nice plain gray background.

John Weeks
WaveMetrics, Inc.
support@wavemetrics.com

July 13, 2011 at 09:03 am - Permalink

johnweeks wrote:
... you also have the option of choosing Igor Pro->Hide Others ...


Oh! That is one that somehow has passed me by even after all these years (and it even has its own standard keystroke combination in any application).

Also OPTION clicking on a window of a different application will open that application and hide the one you just left.

--
J. J. Weimer
Chemistry / Chemical & Materials Engineering, UAHuntsville

July 13, 2011 at 10:44 am - Permalink