/TextToSpeech

This is a Rainmeter plugin (TextToSpeech.dll) that allows users to convert text into speech using installed voices on your system. It can be triggered by clicking a Rainmeter skin element, making it interactive for various purposes like notifications, reminders, or accessibility features.

Primary LanguageC#Apache License 2.0Apache-2.0

Here’s a simple README.md file for your Rainmeter TextToSpeech.dll plugin:

Rainmeter TextToSpeech Plugin

This is a Rainmeter plugin (TextToSpeech.dll) that allows users to convert text into speech using installed voices on your system. It can be triggered by clicking a Rainmeter skin element, making it interactive for various purposes like notifications, reminders, or accessibility features.

Features

  • Text-to-Speech functionality: Converts a given text into speech using a specified voice.
  • Customizable voices: Choose from the installed voices on your system (e.g., "Microsoft David Desktop", "Microsoft Zira Desktop").
  • Interactive skins: Trigger speech by clicking on a Rainmeter skin element.
  • Supports any text: You can specify any text for speech output in the Rainmeter skin.

Installation

  1. Download/Clone the Plugin:

    • Download or clone the plugin from this repository.
    • Compile the plugin (TextToSpeech.dll) and place it in your Rainmeter Plugins folder. The typical path is: 
      Documents\Rainmeter\Plugins

  2. Create a Rainmeter Skin:

    • In your Rainmeter skin folder (e.g., Documents\Rainmeter\Skins), create a new folder for the skin (e.g., TestTextToSpeech).
    • Save the provided TextToSpeech example .ini file into your skin folder.

  3. Configure the Skin:

    • Customize the TextToSpeech.ini file to specify the text you want to be spoken and the voice you want to use.
    • You can adjust the voice by modifying the Voice parameter in the [TextToSpeech] measure. Ensure you use a valid installed voice, such as "Microsoft David Desktop" or "Microsoft Zira Desktop".

Example Skin

Here is an example .ini skin to test the Text-to-Speech plugin:

[Rainmeter]
Update=1000
BackgroundMode=2
SolidColor=000000

[TextToSpeech]
Measure=Plugin
Plugin=TextToSpeech.dll
Text="This is a test of Text-to-Speech."
Voice="Microsoft David Desktop"

[TextToSpeechTrigger]
Meter=String
MeasureName=TextToSpeech
X=10
Y=10
W=300
H=30
FontColor=FFFFFF
FontSize=14
Text="Click here to hear speech!"
LeftMouseUpAction=[!RainmeterPluginBang "TextToSpeech ExecuteBatch 1"]

[Instructions]
Meter=String
X=10
Y=50
W=300
H=30
FontColor=FFFFFF
FontSize=12
Text="Click the above text to hear the speech in the selected voice."

[DebugInfo]
Meter=String
X=10
Y=90
FontColor=FFFFFF
FontSize=10
Text="Voice: %1"
UpdateDivider=1000
MeasureName=TextToSpeech

Usage

  1. Activate the Skin:

    • Open Rainmeter and load the skin you created (e.g., TestTextToSpeech).

  2. Trigger Speech:

    • You will see the text "Click here to hear speech!" in the skin.
    • When you click this text, the plugin will trigger speech and read the text "This is a test of Text-to-Speech." using the selected voice.

  3. Customize:

    • You can customize the text, font size, and color in the Rainmeter skin, as well as change the voice to any of your installed voices by modifying the Voice parameter.

Troubleshooting

  • No sound? Ensure your speakers or headphones are properly connected, and the volume is not muted.
  • Voice not found? Make sure you have the required voice installed on your system. You can install additional voices from the Windows settings.
    • Go to Settings > Time & Language > Speech > Manage voices to add voices.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

usage.