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TransparentBar v0.2.0

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@github-actions github-actions released this 07 Nov 16:34
· 22 commits to main since this release
v0.2.0
0961ff7

TransparentBar v0.2.0

Comprehensive update refining the maximized-window connector with smooth color cross-fading, twice-as-fast sampling rates, bottom-edge weighted capture, and a trimmed 34 px profile.

What comes bundled:

  • TransparentBar.exe - Native Windows host executable (x64)
  • transparentbar_bridge-0.2.0.dll - Native taskbar transparency bridge
  • Inno Setup Installer (TransparentBar-setup.exe) - Standard per-user installation with desktop shortcut option
  • Portable ZIP Archive (TransparentBar-windows-x64.zip) - Standalone package with SHA-256 verification sums

What doesn't come bundled:

  • Background bloatware or telemetry
    • Zero analytics and 0% idle CPU footprint; operates entirely offline on local Win32 APIs
  • External runtimes or browser engines
    • 100% native Rust binary with static CRT (no WebView2, Electron, or .NET dependencies)

New and improved MAJOR features in 0.2.0:

  • Smooth Color Cross-Fading

    • Replaced rigid color snaps with an exponential ease (~30% delta convergence per frame).
    • Color changes when scrolling content or changing tabs now transition smoothly over several frames rather than flashing abruptly.
    • Resizing or hiding the strip resets the blend cleanly to prevent ghosting or stale color interpolation.

  • High-Frequency 60 ms Connector Refresh

    • Accelerated active edge sampling from 120 ms to 60 ms while a supported window is maximized.
    • Allows the connector strip to track rapid mouse wheel scrolling and page navigation in near real-time.

  • Bottom-Edge Weighted Scanline Sampling

    • Sampled rows are weighted exponentially toward the bottom edge closest to the taskbar.
    • Newly scrolled content entering the viewport is registered immediately instead of waiting for the full multi-row sample buffer to fill.

  • Trimmed Connector Profile

    • Reduced the base strip height from 42 px down to a sleeker 34 px (at 96 DPI).
    • Preserves the gentle 1.65 falloff curve and 90% peak opacity while creating a subtler, less intrusive bridge into the transparent taskbar.

Note

The connector refresh timer is strictly adaptive: it operates at 60 ms only when a supported maximized window is active, and drops to an idle 1000 ms check (without pixel capture) otherwise. Disabling the connector completely disarms the timer.

New and improved minor features in 0.2.0 include:

  • Version Synchronization: Synchronized package version, resources, installer metadata, About dialog, and inter-process status mapping to 0.2.0.
  • Release Supersession: Fully consolidates the experimental v0.1.10 changes under the permanent v0.2.0 tag.
  • Failure Safety: Timer allocation or capture failures automatically hide the strip and trace diagnostics rather than freezing a stale gradient.
Click here to view technical & architectural details
  • Target Architecture: Windows 10 & 11 x64 (MSVC static CRT).
  • Sampling Geometry: Samples device pixels immediately above the overlay seam (overlay_top - sample_rows), avoiding feedback loops.
  • DPI Compatibility: All metrics (strip height, seam overlap, sample rows, blur radius, overhang) dynamically scale with GetDpiForWindow.
  • Testing Coverage: 17 host unit tests and 7 bridge tests passing, including exponential blend convergence and bottom-row dominance assertions.

Downloads & Verification

Full Changelog: v0.1.9...v0.2.0

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