Read-Me notes for WinSeq -- ThingM Sequencer Script program for Windows 9x/NT ------------ About WinSeq ------------ WinSeq is a simple Windows 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. WinSeq uses the familiar Windows-style user interface for all operations. WinSeq is based on the previous Macintosh version, MacSeq, and MS-DOS version, TVSeq, using Borland's Turbo Vision graphical user interface library. WinSeq uses the complete 32-bit Windows interface libraries for running under Windows 95, 98, or NT, without requiring the MS-DOS shell (as with TVSeq). This demo version of WinSeq does not require a ThingM motor controller to use. The release version of WinSeq 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 WinSeq, 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 a value for Frame Count information and clicking OK, WinSeq 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 WinSeq 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