RAYGUIDE - Change log

Inverts paths to minimize direction changes between mark and jump.

Improves execution time by utilizing bitmap spring mode.

Option for encrypting a job file with an machine bound key. Password is only needed for exporting the key.

Maximum number of pulses is 2147483647. If value was too high after conversion from drill time, laser on time was treated as 0.

In the Remote Settings user can enable that feature: "Response EOL": true|false default is false

if it is enabled, the response looks like: ACK,eol ERROR_COMMAND,eol ACK:{ "Pens": {...}},eol.

Using the optional “Property-Name” parameter filters the result so that only the value of that specific property is returned.
Sample command: getJobElementProperties,Tiler,Pitches,eol -> result: ACK: [25000;25000;0].

The command to set values for "Acquire and save image" is SetRoiProperties, see change 18022 to command usage.

New optional parameter "scanControllerShortLabel" to setGlobalScale: setGlobalScale,<power scale>,<speed scale>,[<scanControllerShortLabel>],eol
without scanControllerShortLabel, all connected scanController are changed.

Get the current brightness per channel per device: getIllumination,<device name>,eol
Sets the brightness of the device for configured channels. OFF = 0, ON = 1: setIllumination,<device name>,<brightness>,eol.

Interpolation time will be automatically converted to transfer time by the following formula:
transfer delay = interpolation time + 34µm. In case of unset (null), transfer delay is 0.

Clicking on out port pins will flip the value.
Clicking on special IO in ports will trigger the function (e.g. start mark).

New option for superposing a meander shape (with optional rounded corners) onto a contour.

Job in progress has the functionality of the former execution in progress (active during job execution).
The new job binning in progress signal is only active, while stand alone mode or job list execution mode is active.

New option for merging all markable children of a container into a single vector graphic.

Add new commands for getting and setting job element properties: getjobelementproperties, setjobelementproperties.

RemoteInterface: "abort" command will return ACK if no job is execution.

SDK: The AbortButtonPressedEvent event is obsolete and will be removed in the next version. Customers should use the AbortJobResultEvent event instead.

Old behavior was throwing an exception.
In addition, there is an new argument, whether IsSuccess should be true on abort. Default value is the old behavoir (IsSuccess is true).

New option for executing jobs via IO.
Similar to Stand-Alone, but with the flexibility of using the GUI (e.g. using remote interface or editing jobs).

Wobble trajectory speed can be set when using static wobble configuration.

New option for defining the duty cycle instead of the pulse width. Can be selected in preferences -> user -> ui-> units-> pulse width.

Instead of generating the slices at the corresponding Z-position, Z will always be 0.
For synchronizing with hardware (z table etc), WaitStart is added at the start of each slice.
Mark in progress signal (MIP) can be used for detecting end of slice.

Color of resulting wobble trajectory preview is red if the size is less than 70% of the command value (otherwise green).
Shape and size of trajectory cannot be guaranteed in this case.

GS1 can be selected a subset of data matrix.

Default hardware can be created on first start for the system.
Each user can choose language and layout on his first start.

Status LED in job tree will turn brown in case of active IO abort signal.

- Editable Period complementary to frequency
- Editable resulting amplitude
- Display of overlap for circle/ellipse
- Changing mark speed will no longer affect wobble geometry. Period and resulting amplitude will stay unchanged.

The new command GetJobVariable returns the names and values of all defined job variables (if no parameter is given) or names and values of the ones in the given name list.

RemoteInterface: New commands GetJobElementCenter and GetJobSelectionCenter return the bounding box center of job elements, either selected by their label or by selection in the GUI.

The execution of motf jobs with multiple repetitions can be resumed without changing the pitch between the new and last part of the previous execution.

Getdevicestatus,[<device name 1>,<device name 2>,<device name N>],eol
getdevicestatus,eol return the status of all job devices.

Error codes are now returned, in case arm could not be executed (no laser controller, not connected, not initialized).

New option for creating two rising arm edges at the start of the stand alone list.
This can be useful for lasers using the first edge for leaving the error state (e.g. TruePulse Nano).

New feature for moving a job element to a certain position by providing a position for one of its thumbs.

Getting the certificate revocation list can increase startup time by ~30s, in case the server cannot be reached. This could be due to no internet connection or proxy settings.
If this feature is wanted, the following line can be removed from RAYGUIDE.exe.config: <generatePublisherEvidence enabled="false"/>.

Include all files referenced by the job and config in the support container. E.g. dynamic text source or vector graphic files.

New automation for sending scan controller commands.
For starters, only setting trace labels is provided.

New feature for improved execution performance, when using multi deflection units with overlapping intersected or combined fields.
The option can be activated in "Job -> Properties -> Optimization".

New feature for synchronizing a queue of transformations with a job loop.

Resulting trajectory speed can be shown in tooltip of resulting amplitude.

New command setquickexecutionparameters fore setting parameter for quick execution mode. Parameter: mark selected element only (true or false).
New command selectjobelements. Parameter: list of elements to select.

Converts each filling into a separate layer.

Hash can be queried after uploading a job. It can be used to track weather the list has changed.
Be aware, that the hash could change in case of RAYGUIDE or SPICE3 API changes, even if the job didn't change.

The new type of vector graphic creates a contour on multiple z layers.
Each starting point can be shifted by a provided length.

IO signal of errors which can persist (eg Laser alarm), are active as long as the alarm is active.
For clearing an error signal, only the specific bit is cleared (Instead of writing the inverse signal).
Errors are also handled now, while no execution is active.

Setting function to 0 avoids problems with old configs (e.g. unused laser alarm).
Can be avoided be setting AssignUnusedIOPins to false.

New Job element for creating an elliptical or circular helix.

Opens all jobs on startup, which where opened and saved on closing.

New flag "auto configure IO" for setting Din.1 to triggered if laser sync is configured.

Rotation is added after each iteration.

Connected (green), not connected (gray), connection lost (yellow), condition monitoring alarm (orange), error state (red).

Current MOTF belt speed can be queried in SP-ICE 3 settings dialog, MOTF tab.

App for using remote interface without GUI.

New MOTF mode for marking endless contours.
The contour must not contain any jumps and start/end must be on the same position perpendicular to the belt.

Cell hatch filling has a new option for generating horizontal or vertical lines.
Further more, number of lines is multiplied by the module width (depending on the with of the smallest module).

Applies calibration to correction file.
This can be beneficial, as it does not limit the usable size of the scan field.

Additional option for monitoring deflection units.
In contrast to the exiting one, it is done by the host, not the SP-ICE-3.
The gained flexibility can used to monitor multiple statuses (with max or good values) at once.
Available signal are StatusWord, AuxTemp and RmsCurrent.

Tool for marking a special pattern, which helps to determine the current focus position.
It can either be used for adjusting the machine, or setting a bias in the calibration.
It is accessed from the calibration tab in the deflection unit dialog.

Calling new dedicated SP-ICE-3 function for setting the head bias prevents side effects when setting the bias during execution (remote interface).

Logfile containing the stand alone configuration and the pens of the jobs will be created when starting stand alone execution with the run button in stand alone dialog.

Feature for copying a segment of a path, defined by start and end time.

Calling execute for the second job before the first is finished, will queue the job on the card.

New option is located in Vector optimizations -> Sort.

New actions for loading simplified or default GUI appearance.

Unlimited number of GUI plugins can be loaded dynamically instead of only loading pre defined ones.
Therefore predefined plugin regions are not working anymore (custom GUI). Instead, the view of the plugin has to be added manually.

In case of custom plugins, scanning is limited to the following rules.
- dll name must contain plugin
- PluginTypes/CustromUITypes dictionary must be provided (see SDK manual chapter 3.4: Writing Plug-ins for Use in RAYGUIDE.

All obsolete members have been removed.
In case your code is not already migrated, check migration guide in SDK manual chapter 7: API update guide.

In addition to the existing .NET 4.8 version, SDK will also be deployed as .NET 8.0-windows.

For ease of use, NuGet packages for the SDK will be installed from now on.
SDK binaries will be removed by end of this year.

Validates whether repetition pitch exceeds job length and min segment width is smaller than segmentation optimization max width.

The permission logic has been rewritten to combine OS and local administration modes seamlessly.
Old permission config is updated automatically. New config is not compatible to old RAYGUIDE versions.

The default username for local admin is changed from "rayguide" to "#rayguide#".

Creates a text layer (instead of a vector layer) for each merged text object,.

For increased performance, auto re-rendering after changing job content can be disabled. Rendering can be triggered with new command: refreshviewport.

In addition to the existing authentication (windows user account), users can authenticate via user name and password.

Multiple commands can be transmitted at once. Either without separator, or separated by comma or whitespace.
Eg "abort, eol,closeAll, eol", "abort, eolcloseAll, eol" or "abort, eol closeAll, eol".

When selecting multiple thumbs via area selection, pressing ctrl is adding the new selection to the existing one.
Additionally pressing alt will subtract the selection instead.

Container creates a list of copies with freely provided transformation.

New option for removing gaps in pen enumeration when transferring job pen set to library.

In addition to the existing scan directions horizontal (bottom to top) and vertical (left to right), different start positions are now available: horizontal (top to bottom) and vertical (right to left).

Command could return before the action is completely done. This could cause problems when sending multiple commands in a row.

Job was still in memory after being closed.
Block gui dialog from remote interface was not disposed correctly.

Depending on angle, bounding box was calculated slightly too small.

Execution time of remote interface commands decreased by up to 100ms.

Correction file will automatically be updated with new header.
Old file is kept with .bak extension.

Feature can now be used from SDK. Settings is stored in ApplicationConfiguration instead of GuiConfiguration and is not automatically migrated.

If the demanded job is already active, "setActiveJob" returns "ACK" now.

Pen value for spot magnification can be configured to use absolute (spot size) or relative (factor) value.
Can be configured in Preferences -> User -> UI and deflection unit settings.

In addition to laser on/off delay of the pen, an additional delay is added to the laser profile.
This is especially beneficial when using multiple laser in a single job.
Values are added to delays defined in the pen.

New dialog for automatically finding the parameter for fastest execution.

Current pass can be queried for jobs with repetition (similar to job elements with infinite passes).

Secondary power engine for controlling laser with two cores.
In addition to sending a power value (as it was already possible), the secondary power can be ramped and calibrated (power calibration and position dependent power correction).

Calculates the maximum MOTF belt speed for a job.

New option for generating MOTF segments based on execution time, in addition to the existing one based on belt distance.

- modifytransformation: mode for setting transformation relative or absolute
- transform: scope for setting process transformation for all or a specified scan controller. mode for relative or absolute.

- executormode: Sets the execution mode to all or active
- getexecutionstatistic: Gets the statistics for the finished jobs
- setpen: Sets values of a job pen
- settransformation: Sets (parts of) job element transformation.

When using unique name, an index seperated by underscore is appended.

The notification panel shows the last executed transformation (not the complete transformation an already transformed object may have after the operation).

Replaces the container by creating individual objects for each item created by the container.

Time span for connecting to devices on startup changed from 1 to 2 minutes, as SP-ICE-3 might need more than 1 minute for booting.

By reducing the number of fractional digits, position errors ( e.g. due to rounding) can be compensated, when detecting pattern and line changes.

New plugin for creating pattern used for battery foil cutting.

By not disabling field correction while sending config to SP-ICE-3, a sudden change of galvo position is avoided. This was resulting in clicking noise from the deflection unit.

Origin of workspace is now used as center of transformation for the process transformation when using MOTF.
Before, center of transformation was center of current MOTF frame.

Devices used by SPIC3Device (BaseLaserController and BaseScanHead) must be registered to device manager. This is normally done by using DeviceManager.AddDevice() instead of calling the device constructor directly.
To prevent unexpected behavior, an exception will be thrown when assigning an unkonwn device to SPCIE3Device.

AutoConnect option for SPICE3 moved to BaseDeviceController.IsAutoConnect.
Setting will be migrated automatically when using RAYGUIDE gui.
Custom applications using GuiConfiguration have to migrate it manually.

In case of multiple opened jobs, uploading a job with OnCard mode will use a different list ID per job, without overwriting other opened jobs on SP-ICE-3.

Text can be read from dialog automation into a variable. The variable can be assigned to any barcode or text object.

Removed 10ms delay, which is not necessary for APD fast mode.

New option for disabling kerning and ligatures.

Ratio of smallest to widest bars can be defined from 2 to 3 (default).

Multiplier for distance between adjacent character.

In addition to setting the process transformation per scan controller, it can now be set for all scan controller defined by an job/workspace configuration.
Center of transformation is the center of the workspace.

Galvo current resulting from wobble can be validated against threshold. Max value can be configured in deflection unit, default is 3A.
Only available for deflection unit firmware >= 7130.

All layouts get imported to separate layers.

There is a new command "wait, <eventName>, <timeout>, eol". <eventName> is either "JobFinishedEvent" or "WorkspaceRefreshedEvent", <timeout> is a timeout time in milliseconds.
Example: "wait, JobFinishedEvent, 5000, eol" waits 5 seconds for the event that signals the end of job execution and responds with "ACK" if the event is received or with "WAIT_ERROR" if the event is not received in this time period.

The remote interface responds with "ACK" immediately in this case now without loading the job again.

The API function JobManager.ValidateJobDefinition() expects now a new optional parameter, which is a dictionary of scan controller names and the wanted process transformations.

New import option for converting text into vectors. If false, text object will be added as editable text layer.

The warning is shown now only if the laser has the serial connection enabled and reported a laser not ready state.

The remote client's receive timeout is increased to 31 seconds.

The laser's frequency will be set now using the parallel port interface in case it is supported by the laser.

RAYGUIDE will not arm the laser any longer while previewing a job, and the remote server will send the message "ARM_LASER_ERROR" in this case.

A home position for each scan controller can be defined in the job presets now.

In addition to the commanded curve (black), the resulting curve is shown in red or green (depending on ratio).

Top, center or bottom of the bounding box can be aligned to a provided z coordinate.

Filled area is inverted by adding a box with size of the bounding box. The size can be altered by new property quiet zone.

New job element solid for importing and slicing *.stl files.

Rotation can be provided for all axes. They are executed in the following order: X -> Y -> Z.

Projection (XY, XZ or YZ) can be selected below the workspace.

Can be configured in Preferences -> User -> UI -> Hide other layers while editing.

Thumbs in edit mode can snap to each other or the guide lines.
Magnetic range can be defined in Preferences -> User ->UI.

Command "close" will not save a job any longer.

In case there is no suitable IP address found the loopback interface will be used. The user is asked to provide a better IP address.

Linked vector graphic can be reloaded on job load or optionally during execution (like dynamic text).

Only connected cards will show up now in the drop down list of scan controllers.

A retrieved list of pulse durations is stored with the laser and only refreshed when pressing the refresh button in the laser's settings dialog.

The button states (armed, pilot enabled) in the laser dialog are synchronized with the button states in the execution panel.

Stopping the execution in the laser diagnostics dialog does the same now as the abort button in RAYGUIDE's execution panel.

Binning during preview can be disabled in Preferences -> User -> General.

Number of executed passes can be retrieved by pressing the refresh button in the process monitor's passes column.

Transformation within the job (automations) can currently only be switched when using OnHost.

New commands: enablePointer, disablePointer, startPreview, stopPreview and setPreviewParameters.

Click & Teach: When the camera has no scan head assigned to it, the Tile button is disabled now, avoiding a misleading error message.

Pixels are semi transparent depending on the gray-scale.

A secondary correction file can be uploaded to the scan controller. The used correction file can be selected in job (incl preset) or as automation.

New checkbox for automatically starting to listen on startup.

Added new functions IJobManager.RenderAsImage / RenderAsBitmap. Old functions in JobDefinition are obsolete.

Laser output mode can now be configured as Pulsed, CW or Selectable (Pen). Using CW will send a non modulated signal as LM.

The new command "renderAsBitmap" stores the current jobs workspace as a raster graphic.

New option for adding a background for the workspace added to job settings and job preferences. The image will be scaled to fit the whole workspace.

Multiple passes are allowed if job elements contain a single path, or the filling is assigned to the path. Otherwise the job optimization "Merge vector graphics" can be used. This will convert the filling to normal vectors.

The optical pulse width (APD mode) can be changed dynamically now using the parallel port interface.

The command "upload" (it is the same as the obsolete command "download") will be executed only if the executor type is set to "card" before.

Added setActiveJob, save, modifyTransform, blockGui and unblockGui to the remote interface.

System and user config path can be passed as arguments to MarkerAPI constructor.

Interpolation time can be provided or queried from the deflection unit. Transfer delay is calculated from protocol dependent delay plus interpolation time.

Allows evaluating binning condition ahead-of-time, resulting in optimized execution time. Should be disabled, if condition is not set ahead-of-time.

Defines a list of sequences, containing the number of executions with a certain pen.

Reset jump is moved to field edge in belt direction.

Defines the speed used when MOTF tracking will be deactivated (eg. when waiting for parts or at the end of the job). Can be configured in the scan controllers MOTF tab.

Added workspace offset to job settings. It will be automatically filled with z offset from correction file.
Existing presets might need an update (reset workspace size/offset in presets dialog).

Values are now display correctly, but might need an update if old value was expected in ms.

There is a new vector optimization function "Split paths": A path will be split into two at the position where the selected command is.

The automation object "Arm or disarm laser" can now additionally enable and disable the pointer.

Text objects with fixed size and the height set to 0 keep the font height.
Text objects with fixed size and the width set to 0 keep the font's original aspect ratio avoiding distorted texts.

There is a new vector optimization function "Replace commands by paths": All selected commands will be moved from there original path into new paths, while each command will be put into a path containing only that command.

New Laser type (IPG AMB) added.
Renamed simmer related properties in LaserProfile to SecondaryPowerTarget.

MIP will be de-asserted while waiting for signals.

Remote interface (formerly only available as tutorial) can be installed as feature.

Option to start RAYGUIDE with job or open job from taskbar.

New vector optimization functions for replacing small arcs by drills and vice versa.

A job executor that is controlled by the host application to do the very basic of execution. It processes only vector graphics, ignoring MOTF and tiling. The vector content is downloaded to the scan controller, and executed.

New trace labels are: 10 (start), 11 (end).

Specific IO or serial message can be sent after one of the following errors occurred: Laser, scan controller, deflection unit, out of field, aborted.

Changed Size to FontHeight, defining the height of 'W' in the current font.

Changing the GUI language caused loss of all permissions.

Joining layers is working now even if the vector graphic is in a group.

When combining objects located into a matrix copy object into a vectorgraphic, all *generated* objects where put into the result additionally rather than only the *original* objects.

Enhancing the wait management increases throughput by starting execution earlier.

When joining layers, the pens of the joined layers are applied to its paths now to preserve information.

When combining objects into a vector graphic the fillings of the object will be assigned now individually to the layers; the pen will also be assigned to the layers.

"SPI" laser renamed to "TruePulse Nano".

The SampleCustomUI example has a button now to open and close the listening socket for remote controlling RAYGUIDE.

New option for merging, segmenting and sorting jobs during execution.

Mode can be defined instead of enabling/disabling sky writing.

Number of shown thumbs, jump vectors and vector tips can be limited.

Multiple ramps can be defined per path.

New setting "Default job" in the user preferences. The default job is loaded automatically when RAYGUIDE starts.

New setting "Job template" in the user preferences. The template is loaded automatically when a new job is created.

Joining layers failed in case the first layer had no name.

Moved reusable code from RAYLASE.Marker.Common to RAYLASE.Shared. Replaced Point2D (RAYLASE.Common) with dvec2.

Language can now be switched to German.

Objects covering multiple scan fields will be split automatically.

New container for marking objects larger than the scan field.

Added user defined snapping guidelines.

Added mode for defining size of new objects via mouse dragging.

Inset filling now allows to create parallel duplicates of non closed paths.

Similar to the job, the statistics can now be viewed at job element level.

Feature added as sample application located in SDK\SampleCode\Tutorials\SampleCustomUI and described in section 3.5 of the SDK manual.

New tool to create custom resource files for further languages.

New option to reverse the order of the filling.

Split angle was miscalculated for arcs with negative angles.

Mark and jump vectors of skipped outline/filling are now dimmed.

Added as direction option of hatch filling.

Added menu item "Help->Contact support..." to create an e-mail containing RAYGUIDE's log files and current job as attachment. It is opened in the standard e-mail application, which enables the user to add further information before sending it.