Would like a separate window option for dual monitors

Guides UI and Macro
1

Many players would find convenience in having some UI/HUD being on a separate monitor.

Various things that could be displayed on a separate monitor:

  • Maps
  • Damage meters
  • Shop
  • Micro menu
  • Chat(s)
  • Quest logs
  • Player housing asset list
  • Calendar
  • Anything

So I imagine you could squeeze all these things into one additional window, or have separate windows for each if you so wish. I realize not everyone has multiple monitors or would want to use them for the purposes I describe, but I think it’s an optional and immersive feature worth developing for the long run.

This option will make the gameplay more presentable for streaming. This would improve accessibility for those physically or visually impaired. Though all users who may be overwhelmed by screen clutter or find it cumbersome to lose view of their character or surroundings could have a smoother experience. At times, I myself find it tedious to open-move-close-reopen-resize-close-repeat for multiple interfaces in-game. Easy access to crucial information, organizing events, communicating, simply questing, and so much more can be done more efficiently.

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2

Can probably do this with a viewport addon like SunnArt. I use it on a single monitor for similar reasons.

https://imgur.com/a/viewport-addon-difference-rWIcW4Z

3

The thing is that you cannot maximise your game client window to fill several screens (unless you are able to use NVIDIA Surround or AMD Eyefinity). A work around is to put your game client into windowed mode and then use the following commands to resize the window to your required aspect ratio. (Resizing the game window is possible via drag and drop, but you cannot change the aspect ratio manually.)

/run C_VideoOptions.SetGameWindowSize(yourdesiredWidth, yourDesiredHeight) UpdateWindow()
4

I think the object (desire) is to have UI elements outside the bounds of the 3D World Frame.

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6

I thought this was already understood. :slightly_smiling_face: As Elvenbane said, you can use a viewport addon or simply:
/run WorldFrame:ClearAllPoints() WorldFrame:SetPoint("TOPLEFT", topLeftX, topLeftY) WorldFrame:SetPoint("BOTTOMRIGHT", bottomRightX, bottomRightY)

But displaying the non-game-world UI elements on another screen is the far greater challenge imho.

7

You are correct, but I do appreciate them offering what the current alternatives are.

I don’t want to try messing with addons or adjusting aspect ration to tuck portions into other screens or finicky things like that. I am of a simple mind and those techy solutions are confusing to me.

That much I understand. It is technically possible though right?

8

Not through any means that Blizzard natively supports.

9

I’ll take that as a Yes it’s possible. Would be ideal if they did it then.

10

If Blizzard wanted to do it, obviously it would be possible.

If they don’t want to do it, there’s no good way to do in with any aftermarket tools.

11

Yes, it is possible.

Option 1: You need two monitors and a graphics card that make your OS believe that the two physical monitors were one single monitor (NVIDIA Surround or AMD Eyefinity). Then you can run WoW in full screen, spanning both physical monitors. You then move/resize the 3D game world (WorldFrame, see above) to only fill one of your physical monitors and use the Blizzard Edit Mode (or an addon like MoveAny) to move all desired UI elements to the other physical monitor.

Option 2: If you cannot use NVIDIA Surround or AMD Eyefinity you can still make WoW span several monitors, just not in full screen mode. In the WoW graphics settings you need to switch to windowed, which makes WoW appear in a smaller window with borders and title bar. This window can be manually resized like any window. But the aspect ratio will remain the same. You have to use SetGameWindowSize (see above) to make the aspect ratio such that it fits the combined size of your two monitors. Then you proceed as in Option 1, moving WorldFrame and UI elements to your liking. (You will have to live with the window’s title bar always visible at the top of your screen. And you may consider hiding your Windows task bar to get some extra space on the bottom.)

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12

Thanks, I’ll give this a try eventually.