GF5 Script Notes...

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jerohm
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GF5 Script Notes...

Post by jerohm »

Deserves its OWN thread :wink:

Once I verified void 'KillRunningScripts();' was BROKE, I kinda put this all on hold.
Just so there won't be a whole lot of new surprises, there ALSO seems to be some hints,
that scripts may going from the old "C-like", to Python.

First there are TWO repositories for scripts, each with their OWN [Win7] naming convention:

- C:\Program Files (x86)\SoundSpectrum\G-Force\Scripts
- C:\Users\YourAccountName\AppData\Roaming\SoundSpectrum\G-Force\Scripts // Newer, Shift('R') and Shift('W')


Naming Convention: 'CTRL [A-Z].txt' // WORKS - but Numbers NO LONGER Supported
Naming Convention: 'Key [0-9A-Z].txt' // Original Format - WORKS
Naming Convention: 'Key [0-9A-Z].py' // Python format - Currently NOT executable

The 'Shift W [0-9A-Z]' generates a Python script (NO semi-colons - yech!) in the Newer Repository,
that currently is NOT UNDERSTOOD by G-Force (when tried to be executed)

The 'Shift R [0-9A-Z]' trys to find, and run a 'Key [0-9A-Z].(txt|py)' script file in EITHER location.
'Key [0-9A-Z].txt' generally WORKS
'Key [0-9A-Z].py' FAILS

'Set [1-5]' (menu buttons) is the Same as 'Shift W [1-5]' // BROKE, 'cause Shift W' generates '*.py'


// Kills all overlays with a matching ID to the one given.
void KillOverlay( int inOverlayID );
// WORKS, but seems to REQUIRE 'inOverlayID'

feel free to call me out on any of my errors... 8)

:idea: Scripts would be FAR EASIER to maintain IF timing specifications could also be specified as:
'. + 00.00' // NOW Plus Offset

bnh
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Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:11 pm

Post by bnh »

Extra thank you for the extra homework. Good to see someone other than me is working out these little idiosyncrasies. :)

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BTT
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Post by BTT »

Hello bnh

Have you discovered anything you would like to share with the community?


Regards BTT

bnh
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Jan 19, 2007 7:11 pm

Post by bnh »

Sorry. I have nothing to contribute to this thread. jerohm does us all a service by struggling through these anomalies. The least we could do is replenish his coffee supply. I have yet to upgrade to version 5 and won't until the bugs have been cleaned out... or at least identified.

As I understood the evolution from version 4 to 5, the reason was centered on the shift to python, beginning with the UI, which saves SoundSprectrum the task of writing code in two different languages. That makes sense for them. And in the long run, that should allow the product to improve without unnecessary expense, and we all benefit from that decision.

But in the short term, I couldn't understand what benefit there was to the user for switching to version 5, unless you really like to debug these programs, which I admit seems to be a fascination for some.

So I ask you, are things better in version 5, or maybe just the same as 4.x? Or perhaps a little worse?

Are new features available that weren't possible before? Is writing config files easier? Has the website been updated to interpret the new vector command structure? Can you mix live, colored NTSC video -- via layering or keying -- with GF 5, or is that still reserved for the commercial version? I noticed in the Christmas specials that SoundSpectrum offers each year -- which I assume are in python since they look like the Aeon product -- that keying/layering of live video is possible. Or is that just 256 color-video footage? It's still better than the positive/negative video/still image available in GF.

Do the WaveShapes, Particles, etc. in GF now run smoother in version 5? Are the old hiccups that were in 4.X still there, or have they been eliminated? I liked 4.3. It seemed to me they did a good job of cleaning up in that version.

For the Mac users, is version 5 more compatible will all those driver/players that keep appearing? What a nightmare it must be for SoundSpectrum to keep updating GF's compatibility. As Andy pointed out, incompatibility is in Apple's DNA. I could never understand why Apple users are so loyal. You guys must be very wealthy.

When I read posts like Andy's response to JayPro about the backlog of ToDos, I know it's not yet time for me to switch. I just don't have the mental acumen of a jerohm, Jaypro or some of the other users. Nor do I have the time to relearn all the new coding and commands. And I won't have that incentive until I engage in a new project that requires the use of GForce. And even then, I'll have to carefully evaluate the changes in version 5.

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BTT
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Post by BTT »

Hello All
bnh wrote:.....So I ask you, are things better in version 5, or maybe just the same as 4.x? Or perhaps a little worse?

Are new features available that weren't possible before? Is writing config files easier? Has the website been updated to interpret the new vector command structure? Can you mix live, colored NTSC video -- via layering or keying -- with GF 5, or is that still reserved for the commercial version? I noticed in the Christmas specials that SoundSpectrum offers each year -- which I assume are in python since they look like the Aeon product -- that keying/layering of live video is possible. Or is that just 256 color-video footage? It's still better than the positive/negative video/still image available in GF.

Do the WaveShapes, Particles, etc. in GF now run smoother in version 5? Are the old hiccups that were in 4.X still there, or have they been eliminated? I liked 4.3. It seemed to me they did a good job of cleaning up in that version.....
Lots of questions in this post, and I am sure the majoroty of users would agree the answer to most if not all is a big NO. Introducing the UI into G-Force was in my opinion a big mistake, the Toolbar did a good job, and was simple/easy for users to understand. Maybe SoundSpectrum should consider dumping the UI in all their programs, and replacing it with a G-Force type Toolbar which lets face it was a great feature, unlike the new UI, how many users understand and use it?. Personally I run G-Force 4.3.2, I believe it is the most stable version yet of G-Force, and from my experience of G-Force 5 I will continue with 4.3.2. for some time.


Regards BTT

FrankN
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Joined: Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:19 pm

Post by FrankN »

Hey Guys,

I apologize for being late to this. Maybe you could all put together a "Wishlist" for the next version of G-Force on this board? We add and remove features from G-Force because we think that you guys will or don't use them, and because they'll make our products better. So let us know, and keep in mind that we may or may not use them for a variety of reasons. I believe all of Jerohm's issues at the top of this thread have been fixed, but let me know if any of you are still encountering them!

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