WinMark Pro Software History

last updated August 2006

WinMark Pro 4.6.2 (Build 5245) Released 08/15/06

• Added option for Truncated PDF417 barcode.
• Added MicroPDF barcode.
• Added ability to import vector files when measurement units are NOT in inches using a new property on the Tools/General Settings/Objects Defaults tab, Vector Import Scale Value. By default this value is 1.0; when Vector Import Scale is set to One to One and Vector Import Scale Value is 1.0, then vector files are imported at full scale in inches. If the drawing is drawn in millimeters, set Vector Import Scale Value to 0.03937008 (1/25.4), and then import the drawing. By changing the Vector Import Scale Value, you can import drawings that are drawn in any unit of measure.

WinMark Pro 4.6.2 (Build 5195) 04/11/06

· WinMark sends only 16 bit marking data when an FH/Fenix lens is selected.

WinMark Pro 4.6.0 (Build 4999) Released 09/08/05

• Fixed memory leak issue seen in build 4927 when entities where cut or copied to the Clipboard.

WinMark Pro 4.6.0 (Build 4927) Released 06/28/05

• Added Copy/Paste and Drag/Drop functionality to allow importing objects from other programs. If the objects are represented as bitmaps, they can only be imported as bitmap objects. If however they are represented in a Metafile format, an import as a vector object can be attempted (with varying results). The user will be prompted to choose if more than one acceptable format type is available.
• Text entities with just a single “l” or an “I” in simple stroke font end up having a width of 0 and are not shown on the screen or marked. This has been corrected.
• Fixed the issue of having the ActiveX control opened multiple times in the same process. This occurs in VB when the IDE is open and the program is being debugged. The ActiveX control is opened twice and the symptoms of this problem would be that certain things would not work, like marking 2d barcodes.
• Some parameters on the tracking tab were not initialized correctly when opening older tracking mark files.
• Put in the build check feature when opening mark files so that a build 4927 file cannot open a file with a build number greater than 4927. This prevents an older version of WinMark opening newer files and possibly crashing the program.
• Added a Clearing Mark function under Tools/Application Settings. The Clearing Mark is a specific sequence of non-lasing galvanometer moves used to exercise the bearings in the galvanometers. When your mark file consists of very small objects or moves, the Clearing Mark function serves to increase the lifetime of the galvanometer bearings.

WinMark Pro 4.5.0 (Build 4888) 06/03/05

• Added the new Aladdin hardlock driver and the new installation to the setup program. This fixes an issue with some machines and Windows XP Service Pack 2.
• Fixed the No End Of Mark Response that some users were seeing.
• Added error logging into the registry.
• The ActiveX control can now be called through the raw IDispatch interface which means that languages such as VBScript and JavaScript now have access to our ActiveX control.

WinMark Pro 4.4.0 (Build 4759)

• A bug in build 4733 and 4754 prevented the PDF417 barcode being generated. This bug has been fixed.
• Two new properties have been added for the PDF417 barcode. The user now has the ability to set the security level, i.e. degree of error correction., The X/Y ratio, i.e. pixel height to width ratio, can now be chosen in the range 1 to 10.
• The checksum property for those barcodes that either do not support a checksum or always use a checksum has been suppressed in the properties list.
• WinMark now supports multiple PCI cards when used strictly to gain additional I/O capability.

WinMark Pro 4.4.0 (Build 4754) 01/06/05

• In build 4733, older version mark files containing circles were not read properly, this bug has been fixed.

WinMark Pro 4.4.0 (Build 4733) 12/16/04

• Spot marking style can now be used on barcodes, 2D barcodes and bitmaps.
• The event builder I/O functions, WaitDigitalState, SetDigitalState, etc, can be used with multiple FLCC cards to expand available I/O.
• A bug in the auto date function for the quarter is fixed
• A new Application Setting has been added to allow the marking head driver to be released during long marks. This allows other applications, e.g. Internet Explorer, to run. However, if this is enabled, marking can take much longer to complete. Time critical marking applications should not enable this feature without adequate testing.
  This setting has no effect when a tracking mark is being produced.
• The Circle drawing tool has been enhanced to draw ellipses as well as circles. To force a circle to be drawn press the shift key while dragging the cursor. Alternatively, set the Minor Radius equal to the Radius to force a circle.
• The barcode library has been updated. No new codes have been added but some minor bugs are fixed.
• In build 4599 when using the 370 mm lens, a mark with x or y points greater than 3.2767 or less than –3.2768 would not mark correctly. This bug has been fixed

WinMark Pro 4.3.4 (Build 4599) 08/04/04

• Text mirrored in X-axis and Y-axis now rotates properly.

WinMark Pro 4.3.4 (Build 4585) 07/21/04

• Very small-scale import files now import correctly.
• IGES files in units other than inches import correctly.
• Vector files imported with the SynMhAtx control now import correctly
• When optimizing vector files during initial import or UnExploding, a progress bar is displayed.
• The ActiveX progress bar is updated during optimization if it is active.
• Optimizing can now be aborted with the abort key.
• Files with gradients are imported better.
• Better rejection of duplicated circles, polylines, etc in imported drawings.

WinMark Pro 4.3.3 (Build 4528) 06/16/04

• Implemented constant velocity tracking. This encoder-less tracking feature provides parts tracking without a position encoder input. When the Use Constant Velocity Tracking property is Yes, enter the measured line speed as the Product Line Speed property. Use this property only with motion systems that provide a constant velocity.
• Implemented Tracking with single-phase (non-quadrature) encoders. If your motion system is unidirectional, no reverse motion, a single-phase encoder input on IN1 provides sufficient motion data for Tracking. To implement this feature with a single-phase encoder, set the Use Quadrature Encoder property to No.
• Added a new Drawing Automation property – On Abort Session. This event, which runs only if the mark session is aborted, provides a method to trigger an orderly shutdown or reset the marking system.
• Default Tracking properties are moved from the Application Settings tab to the Drawing Defaults tab under the Tools/General Settings… menu.
• The laser Power property can be specified in fractional values. Actual Power resolution is now 8-bit which translates to 0.4% steps.
• Continuous scan bitmap and Grayscale images are now marked correctly when field transformation values other than default settings are specified.

q Known bugs:

q Radial text bug – no spaces between words and in some cases the radius is not correct.

q With Fenix, Power commands of 15% or below display as 1% lower (e.g. 15% in WinMark Pro or Digiscope displays as 14%).

WinMark Pro 4.1.1 (Build 4402) Released 01/21/04

• Fixes slow CTM marks.
• Fixes inability to mark multiple objects with multiple powers.

WinMark Pro 4.1.0 (Build 4388) Released 01/20/04

• Fixed known bugs in previous (4374) version.

WinMark Pro 4.1.0 (Build 4374) 12/18/03

• Added a multiline text entry dialog for Barcode Number property. This allows multiline data entry for bar codes that support extended character sets (PDF417, Extended Code 3 of 9, Code 128 (all 128 chars), UCC-128, and Extended Code 93).
• Error message added when Bitmap Scan Type is Continuous and the product of Velocity and Resolution is greater than 33,000. WinMark will change Velocity to the maximum value possible at the specified Resolution.

q Known bugs:

q Multiple objects mark with the power setting of last object.

q Integer only angle rotation for WMP polylines and DXFs. Bug??

q Low-resolution barcodes appear ragged when marked at low velocities.

q No version test feature. WinMark will crash if newer file is opened by older version of WMP.

q WinMark freezes when circular or arc Wobble Step Size is set at or below 0.0062”

q Circles/arcs disappear if Wobble Thickness is set at or below 0.0062”.

q Some raster files are not completely marked if Bitmap Scan Type is Continuous. In some cases, a NO END of mark response error displays in the mark log.

WinMark Pro 4.1.0 (Build 4368) 12/12/03

• Improved Spot Marking Style functionality.
• Implemented fractional angles (to 0.01 degrees) for vector object rotation. Bitmaps still rotate only in 90-degree increments.
• Added a new Auto Text Type choice – From Another Object and a related property – Assign From. These properties allow you to link, or assign, the text caption from one object to another object or objects. For example, this feature can link serialized barcode data to a human-readable text object, so that sets of data remain synchronized.
• Added GetHeadInformation ActiveX method. GetHeadInformation returns Card type, Head type, Data type, Firmware version, and PCI version data as integers. Integer results correspond to the following values:

Card type: 1 = No Card;

2 = DDA06 (DAC) Card;

3 = ISA-bus Fiber Link Controller Card (FLCC), talk only;

4 = FLCC, talk/listen;

5 = PCI-bus FLCC.

Head type: 1 = Unknown;

2 = DH;

3 = Fenix;

4 = FH Index;

5 = Fenix Tracker;

6 = FH Tracker.

Data type: 1 = 12 bit data;

2 = 16 bit data.

Firmware version: xx.

PCI firmware version: xx.

• Added ReduceColorBitmaps ActiveX method.
• Improved mark quality for color reduced bitmaps. Color reduction occurs when 8-bit or greater color bitmap images are imported into WinMark. The 8-bit image is converted into a 1-bit, monochrome, image suitable for laser marking. Color Reduction Methods include Bayer Dithering, Error Diffusion, and Halftone.
• Added detailed “About” information to WinMark Launcher.
• Added “Maintain Aspect Ratio” check box for Virtual Laser Marking images.
• Changed spin control step sizes in Object Transformation and Virtual Laser Marking dialog boxes so that increments are 0.05 in. steps in inch units; 0.1 cm steps in centimeter units; and 1 mm steps in millimeter units of measure.
• Wobble property restored for circle/arc objects.
• Added outline properties for filled polylines and arcs (similar to filled TrueType text).
• Improved filling capability for irregular shapes.
• Allow MarkCount = 0 for NoCross marking.
• Added new error codes for test mark download.
• Custom Date Formats referenced in a mark are now saved in the mark file, not the computer’s System Registry, so that the file can be loaded on a different computer without the ”undefined” format problem occurring.
• The Date Format Customization dialog has been changed slightly.
• Launcher window and Drawing Canvas now retain and display the last Auto Text Type value marked.
• There is no limit on the number of custom date code formats. Previously the limit was 10 custom date code formats.
• Grayscale marking now has the same behavior as the other conversion types so that black areas are marked and white areas are unmarked. Previously marking was inverted.
• Added the ability to import customized font files with a .SYF extension.
• Imported bitmap images now use the Resolution setting specified on the Tools/General Settings…/Object Defaults tab. Previously, WinMark Pro increased or decreased image size to correspond to a resolution of 600 dpi.
• ActiveX EraseDrawing and Reset methods modified. EraseDrawing only removes entities. Reset removes entities and sets the drawing properties to the default field size. Previously, both ActiveX methods erased all entities and reset the Drawing Canvas to a DH instead of FH field size.
• Fixed issues when 2D barcode used in arrays.
• Fixed memory resource leak issue with 2D barcodes.
• Fixed problem were clockwise circles did not mark.
• Fixed ragged edges on barcodes marked at low Resolution and low marking Velocity.
• Fixed Stroke font bug seen when unprintable characters are used in radial text.
• Fixed field transformations for arcs and ellipses.
• Fixed problem when inverted barcodes are used in arrays.
• Fixed issue with ActiveX AutoTestMark download.
• Fixed European stroke font problem.
• Linked objects in serialized arrays do not work. This is handled with a message and an error.

WinMark Pro 4.1.0 (Build 4287) Released 09/24/03

q Known bugs:

q When setting up an array with auto text type serial, or others, with Execute in Array and link to this entity then the target string is only updated with the last auto text value. E.g. if file consists of an array of 4 barcodes, serialized in the array, as the source string linked to a text entity with 4 array elements positioned under each barcode as the target then each text element prints with the last value used in the barcode array.

WinMark Pro 4.0.0 (Build 4090) Released 03/14/03

• Fixed European font issue.
• Fixed spot mark/automation issue.

WinMark Pro 4.0.0 (Build 4083) Released 03/10/03

• Fixed PCI buffer reload issue.

WinMark Pro 4.0.0 (Build 4058) Released 02/13/03

• Fixed radial stroke text bug.
• Changed program to allow use by restricted users on NT4, 2000, and XP operating systems.
• Fixed RTS checkbox inversion.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 4056) Released 02/10/03

• Fixed radial stroke text bug.

WinMark Pro 4.0.0 (Build 4051) Released 02/07/03

• Compatible with Windows 98, NT4, 2000, and XP operating systems using a PCI-bus Fiber Link Controller Card (FLCC).
• Added ability to mark 8-bit (256 level) grayscale bitmap images.
• Right-click installation exe and choose Properties to view version info.
• Automatic installation of PCI drivers.
• Allows choice to save or overwrite previous WinMark Registry settings during install.
• FLCC firmware rev now displays in Head Info dialog.
• Drawing Editor can be password protected.
• Added Color Reduction Method property.
• Added Bitmap Scan Type property.
• Added Use Group Properties property.
• Added multi-line radial text capability.
• Added Bold and Script stroke fonts.
• Added extended character set for all stroke fonts except Simplex and Complex.
• Added ability to select lens by double-clicking selection in the Lens dialog box.
• Added ability to double-click Custom Date Format definitions.
• Digital Scope now sends a “center mirror” command to FH marking heads before firing the laser.
• Added Zoom to Fit feature to Launcher window.
• Added ability to record Mark Log data to disk file.
• Current file name now displays in Launcher window Title Bar.
• Added global Track Marking Object property when communicating with Fenix or FH Tracker.
• Added Error Correction Mode property for QR Codes.
• Added Data Input Mode property for QR Codes.
• Added 2D Barcode Circle Radius property.
• Improved No Cross functionality.
• Added serial port setup feature. Set baud rate (2400-115,200), data bits, stop bits, parity, and RTS flow control.
• Added Com Port Timeout and Close Comport After Read properties.
• File Import Filters are now automatically installed during the WinMark Pro installation.
• Added a new PolyLine Set entity.
• Added Explode and Unexplode properties. Polylines are now optimized when Unexploded.
• Imported vector graphics now Exploded and Grouped during import, creating a PolyLine Set. The vector marking path is now optimized during this process.
• Added online link to Laser Marking FAQ.
• Added online link to www.winmark.com web site.
• Added four ActiveX tag properties for Drawing and object entities.
• FH marking head firmware can now be upgraded from WinMark Pro by using the “Update F/W” button in the Head Info dialog.

q Known bugs:

q Spaces do not appear in radial text when stroke fonts are used.

q RTS flow control functionality is inverted.

WinMark Pro 4.0.0 (Build 4045) 01/24/03

• Added ability to mark 8-bit (256 level) grayscale bitmap images.

WinMark Pro 4.0.0 (Build 4039) 01/21/03

• Rotation bugs fixed.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 4030) 01/21/03

• Supports multi-line radial text.
• Old mark files containing LiteCom stroke text now mark using correct font.
• Trailing spaces in text block are not included in bounding rectangle.
• Added two new stroke fonts – Bold and Script.

q Known bugs:

q Rotation function in Transform dialog does not work.

q Rotating bitmaps causes WinMark to crash.

WinMark Pro 4.0.0 (Build 4024) 01/21/03

• Supports multi-line radial text.
• Old mark files containing LiteCom stroke text now mark using correct font.
• Trailing spaces in text block are not included in bounding rectangle.
• Added two new stroke fonts – Bold and Script.

q Known bugs:

q Rotation function in Transform dialog does not work.

q Rotating bitmaps causes WinMark to crash.

WinMark Pro 4.0.0 (Build 4018) 01/08/03

• Radial text bug fixed.
• File Import Filters installed automatically during WinMark install.
• Double-click to select lens.
• Double-click to select Custom Date Format definitions.
• “DAC address” in Digital Scope changed to “Card”.
• Digital Scope now centers FH mirrors before firing laser.
• Added Zoom to Fit feature to Launcher window.
• Added ability to record Mark Log (in Launcher window) to a disk file.
• File name displays in Launcher window title bar.
• Circle objects now align correctly.
• QR Code now displays and marks in the correct (non-mirrored) orientation.
• Added Error Correction Mode property for QR Codes.
• Added Data Input Mode property for QR Codes.
• Shape property is hidden when QR Code 2D Barcode Style is selected.
• Slow speed/low resolution marking now works correctly.
• Improved No Cross functionality.
• Added serial port setup feature (click ellipsis on Text From Com Port property) on drawing and object Automation tabs.
• Added Com Port Timeout and Close Comport After Read properties to drawing and object Automation tabs.
• Added Color Reduction Method property for grayscale/color bitmap imports. This allows color reduction method to be changed prior to marking for better results after transforming/changing resolution in WinMark.
• Added PolyLine Set entity.
• Added Explode/Unexplode properties.
• Polylines in imported vector objects now Exploded and Grouped into a PolyLine Set during import.
• Mark paths of PolyLine Sets are optimized after import or when Unexploded.
• Head Info dialog now included FLCC firmware rev number.
• Added ability to upgrade FH firmware in WinMark using Update F/W button in Head Info dialog.
• Added online link to Laser Marking FAQ.
• Added online link to winmark.com web site.
• Four tag properties for Drawing and for each marking entity added to ActiveX library.

WinMark Pro 4.0.0 (Build 3773) 08/16/02

• European stroke fonts now display properly.
• Fixed data collision/Auto Test Mark mode bug seen when marking with F1 key.
• Added ActiveX controls for Excel Italy – AddPolyLineEX and AddLineEX to allow for Power, Velocity, and Mark Pass data to be passed along with line/polyline XY points.
• Version 4 for Windows 98, NT4, XP, and 2000 operating systems.
• Can only be used with a PCI-bus FLCC. Not compatible with ISA cards.
• All available languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, and Chinese) are installed with WinMark Pro. Simply change languages from the Tools menu.
• Most Property Names now display in the specified language (French, German, Italian, and Spanish only).
• WDM driver for Windows98, Windows2000 and Windows XP platforms.
• A removal tool in the setup that removes an installed VxD driver for those users who are upgrading on Windows98.
• Does NOT support ISA cards or Windows 95 operating systems.
• The setup program will detect the OS that it is running on and install the appropriate executable and driver(NT4).
• Does run on Windows XP but has not been thoroughly tested.
• User can choose to save pre-existing WinMark Pro Registry settings during upgrade installation.
• Drawing Editor is now password protected.
• The Help/About Synrad WinMark.../Head Info dialog now displays the PCI-bus Fiber Link Controller Card version number.

• Extended character sets (ANSI 0128-0255) for all stroke fonts except Simplex and Complex.

• When Barcode Bitmap property is No, 2D Barcode Circle Radius property allows scaling of vector circles between 0 and 100%
• Imported vector graphics files now import as “Grouped” objects allowing import graphic to be “Ungrouped” and individual elements edited/filled/unfilled as required.

q Known bugs:

q European stroke font does not display correctly.

q WinMark crashes in offline development mode (no PCI card or Hardlock installed) when MatchDigitalState, SetDigitalState, or WaitDigitalState events are selected in Event Builder dialog.

q June 6, 02 build does not work with NT4.

q Radius Text property does not work with stroke fonts.

q Circle objects do not align to one another correctly.

q QR Code does not read unless mirrored in either X- or Y- axis.

WinMark Pro 3.1.0 (Build 3767NT) Released 05/06/02

• Fixed secondary data collisions problem (ActiveX/PCI cards).
• Added extended character sets (ANSI 0128-0255) for all stroke fonts except Simplex and Complex.
• Fixed issue where WinMark did not exit cleanly when run from the DOS command line.
• Fixed issue where bitmaps imbedded in metafiles were not scaled or placed correctly.
• Fixed a problem where WinMark Pro would not open when “Modify File” was chosen in Launcher.

q Known bugs:

q Radius text does not work properly.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3767) Released 05/06/02

• Discontinued WinMark Lite support.
• Fixed secondary data collisions problem (ActiveX/PCI cards).
• Added extended character sets (ANSI 0128-0255) for all stroke fonts except Simplex and Complex.
• Fixed issue where WinMark did not exit cleanly when run from the DOS command line.
• Fixed issue where bitmaps imbedded in metafiles were not scaled or placed correctly.
• Fixed a problem where WinMark Pro would not open when “Modify File” was chosen in Launcher.

q Known bugs:

q Radius text does not work properly.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3720NT) 04/11/02

• Exhibits secondary data collisions problem discovered from v3468 onwards.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3737) 04/11/02

• Exhibits secondary data collisions problem discovered from vs3468 onwards.
• Two-disk install does not work with ISA cards.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3720NT) 03/08/02

• Fixed problem of marking Off Vector moves when a low Resolution Barcode (<100 Res) is rastered Horizontally.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3719) 03/08/02

• Fixed problem of marking Off Vector moves when a low Resolution Barcode (<100 Res) is rastered Horizontally.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3707) 02/26/02

· Fixes the problem of the ActiveX MarkDrawing method not releasing control of the system until a second part sensor input is received.

· Added new vector import functionality (text, filled objects, and editable polylines).

· Added variable circle size to 2D vector (non-bitmap) codes.

q Known bugs:

q With -5 FLCC firmware, the software displays a “Data will be 12 bit” message and does not mark in 16-bit mode.???

q Since build 2856, all versions mark Off Vector moves when a low Resolution Barcode (<100 Res) is rastered Horizontally.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3596) 11/07/01

· Added new vector import functionality (text, filled objects, and editable polylines).

· Added variable circle size to 2D vector (non-bitmap) codes.

q Known bugs:

q With -5 FLCC firmware, the software displays a “Data will be 12 bit” message and does not mark in 16-bit mode.

q Since build 2856, all versions mark Off Vector moves when a low Resolution Barcode (<100 Res) is rastered Horizontally.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3595NT) 11/02/01

· Added new vector import functionality (text, filled objects, and editable polylines).

· Added variable circle size to 2D vector (non-bitmap) codes.

q Known bugs:

q With -5 FLCC firmware, the software displays a “Data will be 12 bit” message and does not mark in 16-bit mode.

q Since build 2856, all versions mark Off Vector moves when a low Resolution Barcode (<100 Res) is rastered Horizontally.

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3511Dutch) 10/23/01

· Added 2D QR Code support.

· Added text serialization.

· Fixed hexadecimal serialization bug.

· WinMark Lite no longer supported.

· Microvectors not generated when “Ignore” is pressed on “Abort/Retry/Ignore” dialog (Head powered down).

· Dutch language only

WinMark Pro 2.1.0 (Build 3576cNT) 10/22/01

· Fixed Output bit problem.