abacab
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32-bit VST plugin UI always stays on top in 64-bit Sonar
I noticed that when running 32-bit VSTs in 64-bit Sonar, the UI stays on top. I assume this is due to BitBridge.
If you have centered the plugin UI, it covers the spot where Sonar will pop up any new dialogues, causing them to "pop under" the plugin UI. This can make it seem like Sonar is hanging up, until you move the UI out of the way.
Is there a fix for this in development, or is the only solution to run 32-bit Sonar?
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msorrels
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Re: 32-bit VST plugin UI always stays on top in 64-bit Sonar
2017/10/19 16:29:39
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Since the plugin's UI is running in another process always on top is about the best they can do. All the tricks that might make it work tend to require the other process have administration rights or other crazy things. I suspect this is about the best you can expect.
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abacab
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Re: 32-bit VST plugin UI always stays on top in 64-bit Sonar
2017/10/19 18:02:27
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Matt, that is my assumption as well, but I was hoping for an official opinion from Cakewalk.
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azslow3
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Re: 32-bit VST plugin UI always stays on top in 64-bit Sonar
2017/10/19 20:58:48
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The topic "which window should/must/can be on top and how to do this correctly/acceptable/not breaking other applications" and related to DAW "what to do when VST shows own window incorrectly/not expected/etc." is one of the most discussed topics since multi window desktops introduction. 
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abacab
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Re: 32-bit VST plugin UI always stays on top in 64-bit Sonar
2017/10/19 23:42:18
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azslow3
The topic "which window should/must/can be on top and how to do this correctly/acceptable/not breaking other applications" and related to DAW "what to do when VST shows own window incorrectly/not expected/etc." is one of the most discussed topics since multi window desktops introduction.
Got any links to share with that?
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azslow3
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Re: 32-bit VST plugin UI always stays on top in 64-bit Sonar
2017/10/20 23:07:18
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abacab
azslow3
The topic "which window should/must/can be on top and how to do this correctly/acceptable/not breaking other applications" and related to DAW "what to do when VST shows own window incorrectly/not expected/etc." is one of the most discussed topics since multi window desktops introduction.
Got any links to share with that?
I do not know list on which technical level you prefer, most such discussions happens in programmers forum. A simple answer: https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20050607-00/?p=35413/ You have already written the reason in your first post: BitBridge is a separate process (since one process can not be 32bit and 64bit at the same time). So its window by default will have the same property as Firefox, mailer, etc., it will be covered as soon as you click on Sonar. That is not good, VST running within Sonar are not covered. So, BitBridge declare itself as "topmost". You can check, it is not only on top of Sonar, it is on top of any other "not on top" windows. Logically, the "fix" you are asking for is making all Sonar dialogs "topmost" windows. Than everything will work correctly in respect to BitBridge. But these dialogs will also start to cover other applications and dialogs. Other application/dialogs can have the same problem and the whole story easily escalate up to the level mentioned in MSDN Blog. Recent discussion for other DAW, on other OS: https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=488486&start=15 The first time I hit related problem myself was long before any windows. On "Computer operator" exam, during booting the computer, I forgot the command to clean text console... last commands I had to type blindly since the cursor went out of the screen, fortunately I have managed that
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abacab
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Re: 32-bit VST plugin UI always stays on top in 64-bit Sonar
2017/10/20 23:49:30
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Alexey, thanks for the concise explanation!
I think I would still vote for any Sonar pop-up dialogues being "topmost" in this scenario.
Correct me if I am mistaken, but I can see no downside to this behavior in a DAW environment. Maybe confusing in a general computing environment, but I certainly think that you would wish to immediately see any dialogue issued from your DAW application.
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azslow3
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Re: 32-bit VST plugin UI always stays on top in 64-bit Sonar
2017/10/21 08:46:32
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One downside: the result from pressing F1 button in a dialog
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