backdrop

Places a solid or patterned background behind the application windows, hiding any other applications.

# Metadata

Platforms: desktop OS: mac, windows, linux Introduced: 1.0 Security:

# Syntax

set the backdrop to {colorName | RGBColor | patternNumber | imageID | none}

# Examples

set the backdrop to "black"

set the backdrop to "140,30,30"

set the backdrop to none -- removes the backdrop

# Description

Use the backdrop property to create a kiosk mode, or to limit distractions during a movie or similar presentation.

Hiding other applications from the user is usually not recommended, since users may need or want to see other windows on their system. However, the ability to do this can be very useful for some applications (such as kiosk systems or games) or at times when you want to reduce distractions (such as during the playing of a movie).

Setting the backdrop property to "none" eliminates the backdrop and lets other windows be seen.

Pattern images can be color or black-and-white.

>*Cross-platform note:* To be used as a pattern on > Mac OS, an image must be 128x128 pixels or less, > and both its height and width must be a power of 2. To be used on > Windows and Unix, height and width must be > divisible by 8. To be used as a fully cross-platform pattern, > both an image's dimensions should be one of 8, 16, 32, 64, or 128.

>*Cross-platform note:* On Mac OS, if you use the > launch or open process commands to start up another > application, or if the user brings another application to the front, > its windows appear in front of the backdrop. (The backdrop remains > visible even if the application is in the background.) Bringing the > application to the front again hides the other application behind > the backdrop. On Unix and Windows, any windows you > open after setting the backdrop property remain in front of the > backdrop, even if they belong to an application that is in the > background.

If the system has multiple screens connected, the backdrop property affects only the main screen.

# Tags

ui,

# See

- **keyword:** image - **property:** raiseWindows, height, pixels, width - **message:** mouseUpInBackdrop - **command:** launch, open process - **function:** clickStack, stacks - **glossary:** property, command, hexadecimal, current stack, Windows, color reference, Mac OS, Unix, integer, background, application