Afloat in Snow Leopard

trainstroker · 09-08-2009, 09:44 PM

One of my favorite applications broke in Afloat. The features that I really liked were the ability to pin up an app window on top of others or to make windows transparent.Is there any such app that works in snow leopard?

hans2009 · 09-09-2009, 04:08 AM

Actually, Afloat *does* work on a clean install of Snow Leopard, but only for 32-bit applications (e.g. not for Quicktime X; but VLC knows "always on top" by itself). You also have to use it with SIMBL instead of the PlugSuit application which is shipping with Afloat. I mainly use it to have only my Adium contact list always on top and not the chat windows (the Adium option shows both), so I am perfectly fine with the restricted functionality.

I downloaded and installed the old SIMBL 0.8.2 version from http://www.culater.net/software/SIMBL/SIMBL.php as I also use Visor, a quake-style Terminal plugin, which still needs this version, so I have no idea if this trick works on SIMBL 0.9. Then, get the Afloat.dmg from http://infinite-labs.net/afloat/ and open the image if it does not mount automatically. Instead of double-clicking on the icon, show the context menu and choose "Show package contents". In the Contents/Plugins submenu, there is a file called Afloat.bundle. Copy this file and go to Library/Application Support/ in your home directory and place the Afloat.bundle in the SIMBL/Plugins directory (create it if it does not exist). You should then be able to use Afloat from the "Window" menu or via hotkey for any launched 32-bit application after installation.

KenV54 · 09-10-2009, 04:34 PM

Great post! I've added the info to the SL compatibility site

http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/start

Now I can use Afloat again--one of my most important apps.

Thanks!

trainstroker · 09-10-2009, 10:31 PM

downloaded the .9.4b of SIMBL as these instructions on the snow leopard wiki states:

Uninstall PlugSuit. Install SIMBL 0.9 from http://www.culater.net/software/SIMBL/SIMBL.php. Get Afloat.dmg and open image. Show context menu and choose "Show package contents". In the Contents/Plugins submenu, copy a file called Afloat.bundle and go to Library/Application Support/ in your home directory and place the Afloat.bundle in the SIMBL/Plugins directory (create it if it does not exist).

its working after a reboot

trainstroker · 09-10-2009, 10:34 PM

Also, you DO realize that adium has the contact list always on top option built in?

dpinkus · 10-31-2009, 09:29 PM

Infinite Labs released a Snow Leopard compatible version that will uninstall PlugSuit and install SIMBL. It's in their November build:

http://infinite-labs.net/afloat/

09-08-2009, 09:44 PM	#1
trainstroker Prospect Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4	Afloat in Snow Leopard One of my favorite applications broke in Afloat. The features that I really liked were the ability to pin up an app window on top of others or to make windows transparent.Is there any such app that works in snow leopard?

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09-09-2009, 04:08 AM	#2
hans2009 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1	Actually, Afloat does work on a clean install of Snow Leopard, but only for 32-bit applications (e.g. not for Quicktime X; but VLC knows "always on top" by itself). You also have to use it with SIMBL instead of the PlugSuit application which is shipping with Afloat. I mainly use it to have only my Adium contact list always on top and not the chat windows (the Adium option shows both), so I am perfectly fine with the restricted functionality. I downloaded and installed the old SIMBL 0.8.2 version from http://www.culater.net/software/SIMBL/SIMBL.php as I also use Visor, a quake-style Terminal plugin, which still needs this version, so I have no idea if this trick works on SIMBL 0.9. Then, get the Afloat.dmg from http://infinite-labs.net/afloat/ and open the image if it does not mount automatically. Instead of double-clicking on the icon, show the context menu and choose "Show package contents". In the Contents/Plugins submenu, there is a file called Afloat.bundle. Copy this file and go to Library/Application Support/ in your home directory and place the Afloat.bundle in the SIMBL/Plugins directory (create it if it does not exist). You should then be able to use Afloat from the "Window" menu or via hotkey for any launched 32-bit application after installation.

09-10-2009, 04:34 PM	#3
KenV54 Prospect Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2	Great post! I've added the info to the SL compatibility site http://snowleopard.wikidot.com/start Now I can use Afloat again--one of my most important apps. Thanks!

09-10-2009, 10:31 PM	#4
trainstroker Prospect Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4	downloaded the .9.4b of SIMBL as these instructions on the snow leopard wiki states: Uninstall PlugSuit. Install SIMBL 0.9 from http://www.culater.net/software/SIMBL/SIMBL.php. Get Afloat.dmg and open image. Show context menu and choose "Show package contents". In the Contents/Plugins submenu, copy a file called Afloat.bundle and go to Library/Application Support/ in your home directory and place the Afloat.bundle in the SIMBL/Plugins directory (create it if it does not exist). its working after a reboot

09-10-2009, 10:34 PM	#5
trainstroker Prospect Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4	Also, you DO realize that adium has the contact list always on top option built in?

10-31-2009, 09:29 PM	#6
dpinkus Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	Infinite Labs released a Snow Leopard compatible version that will uninstall PlugSuit and install SIMBL. It's in their November build: http://infinite-labs.net/afloat/