I found a good way around this way to apply a custom inventory via frame merging and allowing for room on the assigned frame to display other attributes of the game. Then I used variable switches on the assigned frame to open up other sections. Use variable with events in game and VB the advanced of the hotspots.
Example:
Frame: Inventory 1
1. On inventory page have 1 hotspot pic with anything, then draw another and make it only visible if-
Variable = 1
2. Make a 2nd frame GameFrame and give it a picture hotspot which switches the variable between 1 and 0.
3. Now, Assign the inventory to the gameframe.
Hotspot 1 on the inventory frame (and however many others) can now be the interactive inventory as per usual (when you know what you want it to look like).
Hotspot 2 can be anything (let's say a simple graphic message)
Now in game via our hypothetical 3rd hotspots here, we can open and close the wee message box.
Once you get this,, well you can do all sorts with the merged frame inventory without even using an external program, though if you want it to shine... keytguard (SH's plugin) will give it that sqeuak
Hope this was helpful to all folks traipsing the waters of newbies... I'm not in too deep myself
Happy to offer a hand.