Read-Me notes for TVSeq -- ThingM Sequencer Script program for IBM PC clones ------------ About TVSeq ------------ TVSeq is a simple PC application which allows the user to create or edit scripts for running custom optical printer sequences with a ThingM-II dual-motor camera control. Typically, a JK optical printer is used, though it may be used with any camera and auxiliary motor setup. TVSeq uses a familiar Mac-style or Windows-style user interface (called Turbo Vision -- hence the name TV). It is an MS-DOS program which can run on any 100% IBM-compatible PC, no matter how old or new. It will even run under Windows95 as an MS-DOS full-screen exclusive-mode application. This demo version of TVSeq does not require a ThingM motor controller to use. The release version of TVSeq contains the complete interface support for ThingM and ThingM-II (though it can also be run when ThingM is not connected). The PC interface used for communicating with the ThingM controller is the COM Serial port. A TestTerm application is included in the release version to verify that communications with the ThingM controller can be established. (Any modem communications application will also suffice to connect to ThingM for testing.) ---------------------------- Scripting Sequencer Commands ---------------------------- When launching TVSeq, a text window is opened on the desktop to begin recording a new sequencer script. You may record sequencer commands to the script by either running actual sequencer operations, or manually editing script text. To run actual sequencer operations, use the 'Run' menu to select 'Camera', 'Projector', or 'Sequencer'. After entering entering Frame Count information and clicking OK, TVSeq will update the current text window with the equivalent ThingM commands. The cummulative Frame Counters for both camera and projector will also be scripted when you use the 'Edit' menu to select 'Frame Counters'. If you wish to run sequencer operations without adding script commands to the text window, use the 'Edit' menu to toggle 'Script Recording' off. ------------------------ Editing Scripts Manually ------------------------ Alternatively you could edit sequencer script manually using the built-in standard text editor. Each script command uses the same 3-letter acronyms as used for ThingM functions, like 'CAM', 'PRJ', and 'SEQ'. ThingM commands supported are: CAM for camera selections PRJ for projector selections FRM for preset frame count CTR for cummulative frame counter SEQ for sequencer mode ALT for alternate camera:projector sequence STP for step-frame camera sequence SKP for skip-frame projector sequence EXP for camera exposure time SPD for projector advance speed You may even add your own notations or comments in the script anywhere before or after lines containing ThingM script commands. It is recommended to begin each comment with an asterisk '*', though any piece of text that does not begin with ThingM acronyms will be interpreted as a comment. ------------------------- Running Sequencer Scripts ------------------------- When a script contains valid ThingM commands, it may be run by selecting 'Run Script' from the 'Run' menu. Only the currently active text window is used as the script. The cummulative Frame Counters window will update with each executed ThingM command, just as it did with a Camera, Projector, or Sequencer menu command. You have the option to pause any running sequence by clicking on the 'Stop/Go' button, or hitting the default 'Return/Enter' key. Of course, you may also save and load scripts with the standard 'File' menu 'Save' and 'Open' commands. Take a look at the example scripts included with the TVSeq program. These script files are designated with the '.SEQ' file suffix, though the files themselves are ordinary text documents, compatible with MS-DOS Edit and Windows Notepad applications. ------------ Contact Info ------------ For more information, contact Dave Milici at Ironic Research Labs in San Francisco: 415-621-2769 mailto:davem@ironicresearch.com http://www.ironicresearch.com