SPOT 4.1 Basic and Advanced Software Manual for SPOT Insight ...

Ch. 13 - Macro ScriptingIntroductionA new feature of the SPOT software is the addition of Macros Scripting (hereafter referred to as Macros).Macros offer the user the ability to automate many of the repetitive tasks associated with image capture andprocessing. As a result, the user can spend more time evaluating and analyzing results, and less timemanipulating test set-ups, variables and other settings.Macro – a program to automate a task or set of tasks that you performrepeatedly or on a regular basis. It is a series of commands and actions that canbe stored and run whenever you need to perform that task.BenefitsA robot benefits an industrial user by accurately repeating redundant procedures. Macros can provide thesame benefits to researchers and scientists for capturing images. Like a robot, a Macro requires thepreparation of a program of commands that perform an operation. Once saved, that program can bemodified and supplemented to create multiple procedures that do not require the researcher to replicate allof the program steps again and again.Benefits of using Macros• Time savings• Accurate reproduction of image capture techniques• Macros are modifiable, allowing the user to maintain an original macro whilemodifying it for a slightly different result, with minimal effortWe will begin by discussing directions for accessing, navigating, and using the Macro Window. Newcommands introduced in the Macro menu will be discussed.Creating a MacroThere are two methods for creating a macro. The first involves utilizing a Macro Window to develop amacro program by adding commands line-by-line. The second involves using a record feature withinMacros that develops a macro by monitoring and recording, on-the-fly, the individual commands that theuser selects while in the process of carrying out an imaging procedure.After your first macro is completed and saved, further macros can be developed as new, recorded, or can bedeveloped by modifying an existing macro and saving it under a new filename (see Edit).Both methods of macro development can be initiated through the Macro drop down menu. We will beginby discussing the first method, line-by-line development, in order to gain a greater understanding of theMacro Window.Let’s get started.232 User Guide to the SPOT Insight Camera