Toggle between Civ3 and desktop?

Mad Dog · July 16, 2002, 06:01

Hi all,

I'd like to be able to suspend Civ3 (i.e. flip back to the main Windoze desktop) without needing to exit the game - for example, if I remember seeing some relevant advise on the web somewhere, like here, and want to pop up a browser and take a quick look. In many games (like Combat Mission) this can be accomplished with a keystroke, but I can't find the facility anywhere in Civ3. Does it exist, and if not then does anyone know if there are there plans to add it?

vondrack · July 16, 2002, 06:08

Quote:

Originally posted by Mad Dog
Hi all,

I'd like to be able to suspend Civ3 (i.e. flip back to the main Windoze desktop) without needing to exit the game - for example, if I remember seeing some relevant advise on the web somewhere, like here, and want to pop up a browser and take a quick look. In many games (like Combat Mission) this can be accomplished with a keystroke, but I can't find the facility anywhere in Civ3. Does it exist, and if not then does anyone know if there are there plans to add it?

If the other program you would like to use is already running, use Alt+Tab. If it is not, use Ctrl+Esc to bring up the taskbar and launch the program through the Start menu. These are system-wide control combos, no need for game-specific controls. I am using WinXP Pro, but this will work in other Windows based systems as well.

WarpStorm · July 16, 2002, 07:10

In addition, Windows-D works (obviously only on Windows systems with a Windows compatible keyboard).

The Viceroy · July 16, 2002, 07:34

If your using NT/2000/XP, you can also use the CTRL-SHIFT-ESC to bring the task manager up, and run the program you want form there.

Alex · July 16, 2002, 10:53

Hm. What if my desktop is configured to 800x600? Toggling between it and Civ3 would most certainly cause a crash, right?

ChaotikVisions · July 16, 2002, 11:45

I never had Civ3 crash when I alt+tabbed out on my comp when my resolution was at 1280xwhatever. So you should be alright too, though it may take a little while for it to switch if its different resolutions. I just use 1024x768 now, no time at all between switching to IE or IRC from Civ3, heh.

Deathwalker · July 16, 2002, 12:02

Alt-Tab works fine, exspecially if you leave a file explorer window open. THis way you don't even need to have another program running

Destroyer · July 16, 2002, 16:50

windows key too?

MattyBoy · July 16, 2002, 23:44

minimises all windows (Civ included, I presume.
brings them back when you've finished looking at the desktop.

alva · July 17, 2002, 04:48

Quote:

Originally posted by Destroyer
windows key too?

For me this works fine, and a lot easier then all the off the above

The Viceroy · July 17, 2002, 07:28

On XP HE, The desktop seems to re-size to fit the same resolution as Civ3.

As it is using DirectX, it is not writing to the same screen as your desktop anyway, so it would never cause a crash.

NeoStar · July 17, 2002, 07:50

I wish more games these days let you do that. Its great being able to listen to your own music while playing, cause when you really get into civ the game music gets boring

WarpStorm · July 17, 2002, 09:27

Turn off all music in Civ and pop in a CD or replace all the MP3s in Civ with your own.