Log in

View Full Version here: : Al's 2 Stage Timer Counter


sheeny
23-08-2011, 11:05 PM
Allan Gould contacted me with a software request yesterday, and I got around to having a play with it tonight. The attached program is the second version.:)

Its a 2 stage timer and counter. The request was for something that can count the number of subs taken in parallel with a program such as CCDSoft. The idea is to set up your exposure time in the stage 1 timer and the dwell time between captures in the stage 2 timer. Start the timer counter when you start a programmed imaging run, and it will count the number of times through the cycle.

If the stage 1 timer (exposure) is set to zero, the program will not start. The stage 2 timer (dwell timer) can be set to zero. Negative numbers are ignored and treated as zeros. I have deliberately avoided being too tricky and forcing strict time format for input so you can specify a 600s exposure rather than 10min if you want to.:shrug: Not sure yet if this is a good idea... but if you want to put a mixture of minutes and large numbers of seconds as well, then you'll get what you ask for!:P:lol:

The timer will sound the system's exclamation sound each time it changes from exposure to dwell and vice versa unless you check the Mute checkbox (aren't I kind?:P).

The display has 2 groups of Exposure and dwell times. The small ones at the top are where you set the exposure and dwell times you want. The larger ones are the countdown timers. The cycle counter displays the current exposure number (or previous completed exposure during the dwell period).

Feel free to try it, and offer any feedback.:)

Al.

allan gould
23-08-2011, 11:27 PM
Al
Right on the button again. Most excellent and now I can see at a glance where i am in the imaging run without pulling up the imaging program.
Many thanks, and I applaud your ability.
Allan

sheeny
24-08-2011, 07:12 AM
Sorry Al, et al. I have removed the program as, even though it works well, it doesn't actually time well...:P. It seems the timer I used doesn't tick each second - something that is hidden in my Astroclock. I'll have to find a solution to that...

Al.

sheeny
24-08-2011, 06:45 PM
Ok guys... sorry for the stuff around.

The program is now fixed and should time OK.:) I also fixed a little bug I noticed where the timers weren't displaying the time to go for the first second. The timing bug wasn't difficult to fix in the end... just a setting I missed:P:rolleyes:. Whew! I thought it was goign to have to be a complete rethink and rewrite, with a little bit of ugly maths, but it wasn't so serious.:)

I have placed the updated/fixed program on the first post in this thread. If you are one of the few people who down loaded the original, please uninstall it before you install the new version, just so you don't end up with a dud one still there to cause confusion (I don't think the install will replace the original).

Al.

allan gould
24-08-2011, 07:52 PM
Thanks again Al - much appreciated