Transparent Windows and Keeping Windows on Top with Afloat 2

Afloat 2 is an extremely simple Mac application that lets you keep a window “on top” of all other windows. It adds this option in the Window menu of any Cocoa application.

This is useful when you want to keep an application active, and the app doesn’t already provide the functionality to do this.

Afloat also has the ability to make a window transparent. This actually works really well. The window becomes more opaque when you mouse over it, and more transparent when you mouse off.

This makes keeping windows “on top” much more attractive. Making an inactive window transparent allows you to focus more on your current window.

Below is an example of what this looks like. On the left Adium is “on top” but my mouse is over another application. On the right, my mouse is over Adium, causing it to become opaque.

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Finally, Afloat gives you an easy way to keep a window on all spaces.

Of course, there’s already a way to do this in Expose & Spaces preferences pane. Under “Space” select “Every Space.”

Afloat 2 isn’t a must download for all users, but if you’re looking for a way to keep windows active–this seems like a great option.

Thanks Alex for the tip! Submit A Mac Tip and get some traffic to your blog.

Similar Posts:

• Move a Window from One Space to Another
• Quicker Application Binding in Spaces
• Time Consuming Applications Space
• Bind Application to Specific Space
• View All Open Windows in All Spaces

I Like This Tip!

Written by Brad Jasper on April 7, 2008 at 6:00 am - Transparent Windows and Keeping Windows on Top with Afloat 2 has 8 comments - Categorized in Cool OS X Apps, Easy Tips, OS X Tips

8 Responses to “Transparent Windows and Keeping Windows on Top with Afloat 2”

1. 
   Discerptor
   This app is amazing! It's exactly what needs to be built into OS X at some point. I'm using the translucence effect on Adium so that it turns opaque when I mouse over it, and it looks great. April 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
   
   
2. 
   Michael Zhao
   Adium has all this built in so if you're just downloading it for Adium, don't bother.
   
   For transparency, go to the Appearance tab and slide the opacity slider to whatever and for "All Spaces" go to Advanced, then click on the Contact List tab and check the box on the bottom. For float, click the drag menu next to "Show contact list:" and select Above April 7th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
   
   
3. 
   Brad Jasper
   Michael, While it is true Adium has a transparency setting--it doesn't have a rollover ability.
   
   As I described in the tip, it goes opaque when you mouse over and transparent when you mouse off. April 7th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
   
   
4. 
   Discerptor
   In addition, Adium's built-in transparency effect only makes the contacts in the list go transparent, not the whole window. April 8th, 2008 at 6:52 am
   
   
5. 
   Alex Hwang
   I love you Brad!
   Thanks for looking at my "tip"! April 8th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
   
   
6. 
   Brad Jasper
   Alex,
   
   I always like hearing about obscure application. At first I wasn't sold on keeping windows on top, but once I discovered the transparency on mouse over feature I was impressed.
   
   Simple, but gets the job done.
   
   Thank you for submitting it Alex.
   
   - Brad April 8th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
   
   
7. 
   Alex Hwang
   How do you get a gravatar? April 9th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
   
   
8. 
   Brad Jasper
   Alex,
   
   Sign up at Gravatar.com using your e-mail address. April 10th, 2008 at 7:13 am
   
   

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