Server Overlays Versus Transparent Overlays

There are two different APIs that may be used to render transparent pixel values to an overlay window. The Transparent Overlay Extension is a Sun proprietary method to provide overlay capability in the X Window System. Transparent overlays can provide overlay functionality without hardware overlay support. Another well-known method known as server overlays can be used if your hardware supports it.

The Transparent Overlay Extension is a full X extension which requires extension calls to provide the transparency effect. The model is robust enough to emulate transparency on most systems, even if the hardware does not support real overlays. However, the operation of transparent windows is considerably slower when not supported in hardware.

Server Overlays is not an X extension, but instead the API provides a means for the X client to determine which visuals are overlays, and what pixel values to use for transparency. This API requires hardware support.

The Transparent Overlay Extension and server overlays may both be supported on the same screen, but they should never be used within the same window. Results are undefined. Trying to create a transparent overlay window in a visual specifically designed for server overlays may result in a BadMatch. Transparent overlays can avoid this by following the proper procedure to locating a partner overlay visual, as described in Chapter 6, Transparent Overlay Windows.