The main user interface is designed to help the user load and open preconfigured layouts of macros for a physical or virtual keypad, create new layouts, develop macros that will be assigned a keypad position, activate or deactivate various user options, and provide Help information about the program, license, and version.
The main user interface consists of 5 menu items:
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Opens and exits the program. | |
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Activates or stops program from running with Run and Stop menu items. Execute button permits user to enter 3 digit keycode for activation by voice command or bar code. | |
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Permits the user to assign a preconfigured macro to a key on a physical or virtual keypad or to create a macro. | |
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Tip of the Day, Show Progress Window, Beep on Macro Completion, Command Line options. | |
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Displays information about Help contents, license, and version. |
The File menu includes menu items Open and Exit.
Open brings up a layout browser that allows you to load a pre-configured layout into MacroBLASTER to use with your physical or virtual keypad.
Select the appropriate layout and click Open. The last layout used is remembered as a default by MacroBLASTER. To modify a pre-existing layout, you must click on Configure menu and select Configure Layout.
Exit shuts down MacroBLASTER and closes the window.
Click Enabled to turn on the program. In the menu that appears, click on Run. Running will appear in the lower left hand corner of the screen. Click Stop to deactivate. Stopped will appear in the lower left hand corner of the screen. Running must be displayed for the macro to work.
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Note: Starting MacroBLASTER using /run as a command line argument causes MacroBLASTER to always open running. See Command Line Options. |
Selecting the Execute Button will open this window:
Enter the 3 digit button number in the layout. For example, the top left button is 001, the next 002, and so on, going from left to right and top to bottom. This executes the macro assigned to key. The window disappears. This may be used in two ways:
1. Testing Keypad Configuration - This is a handy portal to enter 3 digit commands to test keypad configuration.
2. Activating Virtual Keys - Use the Enter Keycode window to activate virtual keys using speech recognition or bar code. See the Voice Activation section in the Configure Software topic.
Configure Layout - This assigns functions selected from a preconfigured list to keypad buttons in the Configure Layout window.
Validate Keypad allows you to test that the keypad is properly communicating with MacroBLASTER.
To start the validation process, click on Configure in the main menu. Select Validate Keypad.
1. This window will appear showing all keys with question marks. Keys which have functions assigned will appear pressed.
2. Using the programmable keypad or other input device, activate a key. The question mark should change to a check. This indicates that the key is programmed correctly. Repeat the process for all keys. If a key does not properly respond, check the programming for that key. Refer to the keypad manufacturer's instructions and the Help section on Installation and Configuration. You may also test the key using the Enter Keycode window under the Enabled menu item.
Key Assignment - When the cursor is placed over the question mark on a key, applicable software and task appear in a pop up box. Clicking on an assigned key will display the keycode on the right, and the row, column, software, and macro in the bottom status bar.
Empty Key - If the cursor is over an unassigned key, the word "empty" will appear. To assigning a task to a key, see the File/CL in the Configure Layout section.
Reset Layout - Resets all the buttons back to question marks to be tested again.
OK - Returns to the main MacroBLASTER window.
The program provides several alternatives in the Options menu and two additional command line options.
Show Tip of the Day At Startup - Tip of the Day will appear when you load MacroBLASTER. This option toggles on and off with a mouse click.
Show Progress Window - MacroBLASTER incorporates the same macro tools as the workflow manager Command!. The Command! is Busy window appears in the bottom right hand corner of the screen while a macro executes. This option toggles on and off with a mouse click.
Beep on Macro Completion - An audible signal will notify you when your macro has completed its job. This option toggles on and off with a mouse click. It is recommended that you use this feature. Execution of a macro while another is executing could create a system error.
Two other options are available using command line arguments.
Command Line Operations - There are two command line arguments for MacroBLASTER: /run and /nosplash.
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Note: A shortcut must be created from the MacroBLASTER folder to use Command Line Operations. Operations will not work from the original shortcut on the desktop; a second one must be created to edit the appropriate field to allow Command Line Operations. |
/run will cause MacroBLASTER to start in the run mode.
To set this option:
Right click on the shortcut you use to start MacroBLASTER.
Click on the Properties menu item.
At the end of the command line in the Target field add a space followed by /run.
Click apply and close the window
/nosplash will cause MacroBLASTER to start without displaying the startup splash screens. Install this option in the same manner as /run above. Both options can be installed concurrently, separated by a space.
Help has three items: Contents, License Information, and About.
Contents will bring up the Table of Contents for MacroBLASTER Help.
License Information permits you to obtain information about the Licensed Owner (including features), License Information (including license number), and Properties (including License ID, Computer ID, and Domain ID).
About provides a quick description of MacroBLASTER, including the version of MacroBLASTER that is running on your PC.
