Make KSP listen to Alt + Tab commands when busy

[THX1138]

I don't know if it's possible but if it is I'd like KSP to pay attention to Alt  + Tab commands while it's busy loading instead of processing them after it's finished doing what it's doing (i.e. too late to matter).

[qzgy]

I think KSP can already do this.

[TheDestroyer111]

KSP can already do this only on the mac version. Windows definitely doesn't have such a feature. (idk what on linux). However even on Mac, you can't command+tab into the game while it's loading (you can however do so with expose/mission control)

[Alshain]

3 hours ago, TheDestroyer111 said:

KSP can already do this only on the mac version. Windows definitely doesn't have such a feature. (idk what on linux). However even on Mac, you can't command+tab into the game while it's loading (you can however do so with expose/mission control)

Sure it does.

@THX1138  From Steam, right click the game, click properties and add -popupwindow to the end of the shortcut.

example: "C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\KSP_x64.exe" -popupwindow

For other versions, edit the desktop/start menu icon and do the same (you may have to create a new desktop icon from the exe to open the option).

Then start the game, go into graphics settings, and turn off full screen.  From there you shouldn't have any more problems with it.

Edited August 5, 2016 by Alshain

[Diche Bach]

Hmm. I haven't done any of what Alshain refers to and I just use the Windows key to put the game into background mode. Granted at certain key points in initialization and/or while in-game transitions this is delayed for a second, but I've attributed that more to the ridiculous number of mods I have installed and the hogging of all 8 GB of my RAM while the game runs (slightly ameliorated by upping my VRAM to 16384 MB).

[THX1138]

2 hours ago, Diche Bach said:

Hmm. I haven't done any of what Alshain refers to and I just use the Windows key to put the game into background mode. Granted at certain key points in initialization and/or while in-game transitions this is delayed for a second, but I've attributed that more to the ridiculous number of mods I have installed and the hogging of all 8 GB of my RAM while the game runs (slightly ameliorated by upping my VRAM to 16384 MB).

How is that different from Alt + Tab?

[Alshain]

5 hours ago, THX1138 said:

How is that different from Alt + Tab?

It isn't.  His method doesn't work as the game will stop loading if you do that without first putting it in fullscreen windowed mode as I suggested (unless that changed in 1.1, I haven't tried it since then)

Typically normal-fullscreen mode would stop all execution of the program if you changed focus away from it.

Edited August 6, 2016 by Alshain

[Diche Bach]

On 8/6/2016 at 0:54 AM, Alshain said:

It isn't.  His method doesn't work as the game will stop loading if you do that without first putting it in fullscreen windowed mode as I suggested (unless that changed in 1.1, I haven't tried it since then)

Typically normal-fullscreen mode would stop all execution of the program if you changed focus away from it.

If I understand what you are saying, I am almost certain it is wrong. I routinely launch the game from a desktop shortcut with Firefox or something else running. The game will momentarily take control of the desktop until the Squad logo page is up and shows progress, at that point, Windows-key once again functions and I often tab out and surf or browse forums while it loads. Few minutes later, it has finished loading and takes over the cursor/desktop again, and forces the Kerbal Main Menu to load. Once that is fully loaded, I can once again tab out and as far as I know game does not auto-pause if this is done while in play. That last part I have not paid careful attention to, but pretty sure.

ADDIT: here I'll test that last part: currently Y2, D151, 2h, 13m in my current campaign. Will check it in a minute and see if it has advanced . . .

ADDITE PART DEUX: @AlshainYep, they must have changed it in 1.1, I've been tabbed out of KSP for like 5 or 10 minutes browsing the forums and my campaign now says: Y2, D151, 2h, 22m.

Edited August 7, 2016 by Diche Bach
test completion