Introduction
In today’s fast-paced world, efficiency and productivity are crucial aspects of our daily lives. As a software developer, I strive to create tools that not only make life easier but also showcase the capabilities of programming. One such project that I’m excited to share is the “Mouse Mover” application developed using the Tkinter library in Python.
Overview
The Mouse Mover application is a small yet powerful utility designed to automatically move the mouse cursor in circular patterns on the screen. This can be particularly useful in scenarios where keeping the system active is necessary, such as preventing screen lock or showcasing a presentation.
Technologies Used
- Python: The programming language used for the application’s logic.
- Tkinter: A GUI toolkit for creating the user interface.
- Threading: Utilized for running the mouse movement in the background.
- PyAutoGUI: A Python module for programmatically controlling the mouse and keyboard.
Features
1. User-Friendly Interface
The application boasts a simple and intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) developed with Tkinter. Users can input the desired circle radius and movement speed through entry widgets.
2. Start/Stop Functionality
Users can start and stop the mouse movement at any time with the click of a button. Convenient keyboard shortcuts (F3 to start, F4 to stop) provide an additional level of accessibility.
3. Error Handling
The application gracefully handles invalid inputs, such as non-numeric values for the radius and speed, ensuring a smooth user experience.
How to Use
- Circle Radius: Enter the desired radius of the circular mouse movement.
- Movement Speed: Specify the speed at which the mouse should traverse the circle.
- Start Button: Click the “Start” button or use the keyboard shortcut (F3) to initiate the mouse movement.
- Stop Button: Press the “Stop” button or use the keyboard shortcut (F4) to halt the mouse movement.
Code Snippets
User Interface Creation
self.radius_label = tk.Label(master, text="Circle Radius:")
self.radius_entry = tk.Entry(master)
self.speed_label = tk.Label(master, text="Movement Speed:")
self.speed_entry = tk.Entry(master)
self.start_button = tk.Button(master, text="Start", command=self.start_mouse_mover)
self.stop_button = tk.Button(master, text="Stop", state=tk.DISABLED, command=self.stop_mouse_mover)Mouse Movement Logic
def move_mouse_in_circles(self, radius, speed):
while self.is_running:
angle = time.time() * speed
x = int(radius * math.cos(angle)) + pyautogui.size()[0] // 2
y = int(radius * math.sin(angle)) + pyautogui.size()[1] // 2
pyautogui.moveTo(x, y)
time.sleep(0.01)Conclusion
The Mouse Mover application serves as a testament to the power of Python and its versatile libraries. Whether for practical use or as a learning tool, this project demonstrates how programming can automate tasks and enhance user experience.
Feel free to explore, modify, and integrate this application into your projects. The complete source code is available for download and adaptation, showcasing the potential for innovation using Python and Tkinter.
Final Code
import tkinter as tk
import threading
import pyautogui
import time
import math
import keyboard
class MouseMoverApp:
def __init__(self, master):
self.master = master
self.master.title("Mouse Mover")
# Increase window size and center it
window_width = 400
window_height = 200
screen_width = master.winfo_screenwidth()
screen_height = master.winfo_screenheight()
x_position = (screen_width - window_width) // 2
y_position = (screen_height - window_height) // 2
self.master.geometry(f"{window_width}x{window_height}+{x_position}+{y_position}")
# Circle Radius
self.radius_label = tk.Label(master, text="Circle Radius:")
self.radius_label.pack(pady=5)
self.radius_entry = tk.Entry(master)
self.radius_entry.pack(pady=5)
# Movement Speed
self.speed_label = tk.Label(master, text="Movement Speed:")
self.speed_label.pack(pady=5)
self.speed_entry = tk.Entry(master)
self.speed_entry.pack(pady=5)
# Start and Stop Buttons
self.start_button = tk.Button(master, text="Start", command=self.start_mouse_mover)
self.start_button.pack(pady=10)
self.stop_button = tk.Button(master, text="Stop", state=tk.DISABLED, command=self.stop_mouse_mover)
self.stop_button.pack(pady=10)
self.is_running = False
self.mouse_mover_thread = None
# Bind F3 to start and F4 to stop
keyboard.on_press_key("F3", self.start_mouse_mover)
keyboard.on_press_key("F4", self.stop_mouse_mover)
def start_mouse_mover(self, event=None):
if not self.is_running:
try:
radius = float(self.radius_entry.get())
speed = float(self.speed_entry.get())
except ValueError:
tk.messagebox.showerror("Error", "Invalid input. Please enter valid numbers.")
return
self.is_running = True
self.mouse_mover_thread = threading.Thread(target=self.move_mouse_in_circles, args=(radius, speed))
self.mouse_mover_thread.start()
self.start_button.config(state=tk.DISABLED)
self.stop_button.config(state=tk.NORMAL)
def stop_mouse_mover(self, event=None):
if self.is_running:
self.is_running = False
self.mouse_mover_thread.join()
self.start_button.config(state=tk.NORMAL)
self.stop_button.config(state=tk.DISABLED)
def move_mouse_in_circles(self, radius, speed):
while self.is_running:
angle = time.time() * speed
x = int(radius * math.cos(angle)) + pyautogui.size()[0] // 2
y = int(radius * math.sin(angle)) + pyautogui.size()[1] // 2
pyautogui.moveTo(x, y)
time.sleep(0.01)
if __name__ == "__main__":
root = tk.Tk()
app = MouseMoverApp(root)
root.mainloop()Acknowledgments
Special thanks to the open-source community for providing invaluable resources and tools that enable developers to create applications like the Mouse Mover. Let’s continue to collaborate and build upon each other’s successes in the world of software development.
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