Release Notes for WinMark Pro version 5.1.1.6453

This file contains the latest release notes for WinMark Pro, version 5.1.1, build 6453.

OPERATING SYSTEM:

WinMark Pro version 5 software (WinMark_Setup.EXE) is intended for use only with Microsoft® Windows® Vista™, XP, and 2000, operating systems. WinMark Pro version 5 is compatible with all SYNRAD FH Series Flyer Marking Heads.

WinMark Pro version 5.1.1.6453 software is NOT fully tested for compatibility with FH Series Index and Tracker Marking Heads. WinMark Pro v5 is NOT intended for use with marking heads using an ISA-bus Fiber Link Controller Card (FLCC).

WinMark Pro Requirements:

Windows Vista, XP, or 2000 Operating System

16-MB RAM

30-MB of free hard drive space

0ne CD-ROM drive

Two open USB ports (one for USB Hardlock device, one for Flyer communications)

* One open PCI-bus slot (if operating FH Index/Tracker or Fenix with WinMark Pro v5 – not recommended)

Microsoft Minimum Hardware Requirements:

Windows Vista:

800 MHz processor
512-MB RAM
20-GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
CD-ROM drive
Support for Super VGA graphics

Windows XP:

Pentium-compatible CPU, 233 MHz or faster (300 MHz recommended)
64-MB RAM (128 MB recommended)
20-MB available hard disk space
CD-ROM drive
Super VGA or higher-resolution display adaptor (16-bit or 24-bit SVGA color monitor recommended)
One open PCI-bus slot

Windows 2000:

Pentium-compatible CPU, 133 MHz or faster

64-MB RAM

20-MB available hard drive space

CD-ROM drive

16-bit or 24-bit SVGA color monitor recommended

INSTALLATION:

We recommend that WinMark Pro version 5 software be installed before connecting and powering the FH Flyer Marking Head. Version 5 automatically loads the correct device drivers during installation. If WinMark Pro is not installed first, the Windows operating system will arbitrarily assign a USB driver that is NOT compatible with Flyer’s USB port protocols.

UPGRADING:

Before upgrading WinMark Pro version 5 software, remove power from the Flyer head or disconnect the USB cable. If the head is still active, the Window’s Operating System will NOT update Flyer’s USB driver to the latest version.

IMPORTANT INSTALLATION NOTE:

With Microsoft Windows Vista, XP, and 2000 operating systems, programs must be installed or uninstalled by an individual with Administrator privileges. Because of this behavior, WinMark Pro’s registry access permissions are initially set to Administrator by the WinMark installer when it sets the startup language. The installer does not support different access levels for registry keys so these must be changed by the program. It is therefore necessary to run WinMark Pro once as an Administrator before other, more restricted, users can run the program.

To install WinMark Pro on Windows Vista operating systems, right-click the WinMark_Setup xxx.EXE file and choose “Run as Administrator...”. After installation, you may still be required to log on as the Administrator in order to perform certain functions like file importation or saving custom date code formats.

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Version 5.1.1.6453

Released 09/08/2009

• No changes from Version 5.1.1.6428.

Version 5.1.1.6428

• Fixed a problem related to the "USB connection bug " for multiple head configurations.

Version 5.1.1.6419

• Added ability to open WinMark in demo mode even if an available head is up and running.
• Allow Arc End prop to be greater than 360 degrees.
• Allow Circle/Ellipse radius properties to be set as low as 0.0002".

Version 5.1.1.6399

• Fixed ActiveX standalone Filestore methods, SAGetFileName & SAGetFileCount for Visual Basic.

Version 5.1.1.6385

• Added ActiveX standalone Filestore methods, SAGetFileName & SAGetFileCount.

Version 5.1.1.6377

• Added ActiveX standalone methods, GetFileProperty & SetFileProperty.
• Added support for external communications with marking head (Modbus, Smart legacy).

Version 5.1.1.6343

• Suppress error messages when marking from an ActiveX application.
• Added code that addresses the Flyer USB noise disconnect issue. WinMark is much more stable than before.

Version 5.1.1.6334

• Modified code to suppress the FH HEAD_NOT_KNOWN error message.
• Increased Delay Time between WinMark sending command to the FH head and receiving a response.

Version 5.1.1.6285

• Added code to fix Flyer NO_EOM_RESPONSE error when disconnecting USB during continuous marking. This fix applies to Windows XP Operating Systems.

Version 5.1.1.6276

• When first opened, WinMark shows that the head is busy in a standalone marking session.
• Keyboard Locked property default state is “Yes”.
• Exiting DigiScope, when marking, does not crash.
• 2D barcode marking in the vertical direction is functional.
• The ForceAbort (False) issue now correctly aborts the mark session.

Version 5.1.1.6259

• Fixed ActiveX problem when marking a file with internal automation (WaitDig commands) in tethered mode. This also exposed an ActiveX problem in the external automation commands for WaitDigital and ChangeDigital…problem fixed.

Version 5.1.1.6245

• Added Power Adjust and End of Cycle functionality.

Version 5.1.1.6225

• Changed interface of ActiveX methods, AddPolyLine and AddPolyLineEx, to work correctly with .NET framework (C#) applications.
• Changed minimum radius for arcs from 0.02 inches to 0.002 in.

Version 5.1.1.6162

• Changed interface of ActiveX method, GetFilestoreInfo, so that file list is more “readable”.

Version 5.1.1.6133

• Fixed problem with ActiveX standalone, the GetMarkMode method was not returning correct status for Visual Basic applications.

Version 5.1.1.6096

• Fixed problem that caused WinMark to hang during program termination.
• WinMark ActiveX method SAMark always returns OBJECT_TIMEOUT error.

Version 5.1.1.6091

Released 11/04/2008

• Fixed the ActiveX SetSystemProp method.
• Changed GetHeadUptime return value type.

Version 5.1.1.6086

• Added USER DEFINED mark field size capability to marking head property page and Lens Selection dialog box.

Version 5.1.1.6063

• Flash blue “Mark” icon when Flyer head is in a mark session in Standalone mode.
• Disable (“grey out”) Flyer Standalone buttons when head is in a Standalone mark session.
• Added Tool tips for Standalone buttons.

Version 5.1.1.6041

• Added new ActiveX method that sets up an I/O port state change event object so applications can respond to state changes at one or more I/O ports.

Version 5.1.1.5986

• WinMark does not connect to Flyer head (Ethernet) when Use DHCP is ON. Solution involves adding WARNING in user manual about contacting IT administrator.
• Fixed issue with filled ellipses with radii less than 0.02 causing Flyer and WinMark to lock up in tethered mode.
• Enforce minimum feature sizes when using Transformation dialog in WinMark.
• Fixed Auto-Cad import issue of small spots creating ellipses with major/minor axes set to zero.
• Fix WaitDigital and add MatchDigital functionality to WinMark ActiveX control.
• Replace missing Raster Scan Direction property for 2D barcodes.

Version 5.1.1.5979

• Fixed object and property translation issue in MKH files when non-English language is selected.
• Fixed the 2D barcode resolution issue.

Version 5.1.1.5957

• Changed Flyer driver version number to WinMark application version where the last driver change occurred.
• Remove Text Rotation prop from Object Default tab (Tools/General Settings...)
• Fixed Stand-alone ActiveX: GetHeadDateTime always returns 12:00:00AM.
• Fixed Stand-alone ActiveX: GetHeadTimeInfo just errors out.
• Fixed Standalone marking issue where the title bar shows only the first file loaded in SA mode throughout the session, even after other files are loaded.
• Changed behavior of Save button if a file has been uploaded from the Flyer head.

Version 5.1.1.5943

• Added ActiveX control events. In addition to the FlyerConnectNotification event, the following events were added: FlyerProgress, FlyerLog, FlyerWaitDigital, FlyerEOMStatus, FlyerFileUpDown.

Version 5.1.1.5942

Released 04/10/2008

• ActiveX: SAGetCurrentFilePath returns the mark file that standalone Flyer is currently using.
• Abort mark session is functional in standalone Flyer.

Version 5.1.1.5937

• ActiveX: SetCurrentMarkingHead correctly configures Flyer marking head.
• Stand-alone ActiveX: GetSAMarkStats reports mark information after EOM received.

Version 5.1.1.5929

• Add custom Shift codes to MKH file (for Flyer standalone mode).
• Stand-alone ActiveX: GetFilestoreInfo fixed.
• Stand-alone ActiveX: GetMarkmode fixed.
• Language select issue fixed.

Version 5.1.1.5916

• Added IP address range enhancements to Flyer Ethernet Security: IP address validation, global IP address range password.
• Disable mouse and keyboard input when Mark Dialog Box initiates a mark session.
• Added "Allow External Part Trigger" property to tracking parameters on the marking head property page.

Version 5.1.1.5899

• Added descriptive text to Flyer IP Address Range dialog box
• Fixed firmware version for FH heads where version '3' showed rather than '20'

Version 5.1.1.5884

• Added IP address ranges for Ethernet Security feature on the Flyer Head
• Fixed problem where second Instance of WMP goes into demo mode, but subsequent Instances do not. Instances 3, 4, etc connect to same head
• Changed 2D Barcode Quiet Zone property default to YES
• Fixed problem in demo mode where the head type, lens type, and device tab did not agree with selected head (since the demo selection list was reordered)

Version 5.1.1.5882

• Fixed error in the ActiveX method – AddImport
• Removed unused 'File Store' prop from Tools menu and 'Show Device Dialog' prop on Devices menu.

Version 5.1.1.5871

• Add ActiveX method to abort marking in standalone mode
• Added additional error handling to WinMark/Flyer EOM processing

Version 5.1.1.5865

• Fix bug with \xxx text entry - show control chars during edit
• Set Text Curve Detail to 500 AND add to ObjectDefaults tab
• Barcode Number prop jumps up on Format tab
• Text Caption Editor dialog is missing from Barcode Number prop
• ActiveX control is getting the Object/Property order backwards in error message box.
• Open text caption editor when text or barcode type object is double-clicked

Version 5.1.1.5855

• Add Flyer/FHIN/FHTR simulation to ActiveX
• Change simulation list: Flyer, FH, Smart, then HurryScan
• Add standalone support to v5 ActiveX.

Version 5.1.1.5815

Released 12/11/2007

• Fixed some issues with multiple marking head and multiple WinMark instance functionality.
• Fixed issue with Close button being enabled on the “Launcher” window.
• Fixed WinMark import graphic file resolution issue.
• Fixed Mark Field Size issue with FH Marking heads.
• Fixed issues with the Ethernet Address Box and Retry options in the Device Simulation Dialog Box.
• Fixed issue concerning power commands to FH heads.
• Fixed persistence issue with Ethernet parameters.
• Added “control characters in text dialog box” feature.

Version 5.1.1.5759

Released 10/30/2007

• Identified potential Flyer device driver runtime errors using Microsoft’s driver test tool – Driver Verifier. Changed code accordingly to remove potential problems.

Version 5.1.1.5723

Released 9/21/2007

• Fixed memory pool violation error in the Flyer device driver. Problem caused intermittent system crashes – “Blue Screen of Death”.
• First V5 release to support multiple marking heads and multiple WinMark instances.

Version 5.1.0.5705

Released 8/21/2007

• Added Clearing Mark functionality for Flyer.
• Added Use Control File property.

Version 5.1.0.5676

Released 7/31/2007

• Developed to fully support Flyer v2.0 firmware upgrade.
• Added a User Interface to change the Time/Date and the DST settings.
• Added a toolbar to access the file store and do many of the file operations necessary to operate the Flyer head in Standalone mode.
• Added copy/paste drag/drop functionality to toolbar to facilitate the ease of use of moving files to/from the Filestore.
• Changed the Mark Dialog to display differently in standalone mode. It shows different statistics and there is no preview.
• Changed WinMark Launcher so that it has capability of communicating with Flyer in Standalone mode and opening files in the Filestore.
• Added all of the functionality necessary for WinMark to tell Flyer to open a mark file on a network share and whether the share is available.
• Added all of the properties necessary for Standalone marking, and the ability to switch between Standalone and tethered (USB/Ethernet) marking.
• Added the standalone toolbar that allows the four most common operations at your fingertips.
• Changed the tool tip for the Mark button so that in Standalone mode it shows the full path of the current mark file loaded.
• Many small fixes for both improving Standalone and tethered (USB/Ethernet) marking.

Version 5.0.0.5577

Released 4/9/2007

• Fixed a bug where opening a file with Drawing transformations would be lost. The Drawing transformations are now set to what is saved in the file.
• Fixed languages so that users can switch between them.
• Minor fixes to prevent lock-ups, and allow a user to try to update a head more than once if it fails. Some of these changes will take advantage of fixes in firmware 1.03
• Fixed some Vista compatibility issues. The Test Mark should now work in Vista.
• Fixed a clunk on bitmaps that would occur in certain cases at the end of the entity.
• Removed Disable Marking property from the FH settings as the property is now obsolete.

Version 5.0.0.5558

Released 3/27/2007

• Changed default marking parameters to Flyer defaults:
  Pline Start Delay = 0 usec
  Pline End Delay = 200 usec
  Interseg Delay = 75 usec
  Off Vector Delay = 250 usec
  Off Vector Velocity = 200”/sec
• Fixed memory leaks in Flyer USB driver. These should fix the slow (~ 5 day) memory leak.
• Moved "last drawing" for Launcher from marking head registry keys to the Synrad startup registry key. Marking head keys are removed when WinMark shuts down.
• Added "serial number" identification for ALL marking heads. Flyer uses device serial number, FH uses PCI device ID, Smart FH can use its device serial number, ScanLab uses device serial number. The use of device serial number identification uniquely identifies a marking head. It removes any possible conflicts with marking heads that have the same name.
• Fixed "connect to Ethernet Flyer" from WinMark Device menu. Added the "connect to Ethernet Flyer" menu item to Launcher’s Device menu.
• Fixed WinMark Flyer connect issues:
  In simulation mode - connect currently selected USB Flyer. User must select head.
  Disconnect currently selected USB Flyer head. Re-connect Flyer head. Head is automatically selected.
  Disconnect currently selected USB Flyer head. Re-connect another USB Flyer head. New Flyer head is automatically selected.
  USB Flyer automatically re-connects when head is powered down and subsequently powered up.
  Select FH marking head. Connect USB Flyer head. FH head still is currently selected head.
• Improved USB connect/disconnect notification to WinMark, Launcher, DigiScope and SynMhAtx.
• Added a Head Info button to the About dialog box from the Help menu. Click on the button to show General Setting property pages, the marking head property page becomes the active page.
• Removed text (Ver. & ID) from versions on FH marking head property page.
• Fixed FH version format (e.g. v20) on FH marking head property page. WinMark can also now mark to Firmware version 10.
• WinMark selects the last marking head used on startup.
• Fixed File Open and Flyer disconnect (or select new marking head) problem.
• FH now can now change to other lenses besides the 200mm lens.
• Changed the program to use a registry key with the version "V5" under the “Synrad WinMark” key so that it does not conflict with the V4 registry.
• Changed the Curve Detail on a text object to default to 500.
• The Ethernet Flyer will now gray out the button when a disconnected is detected.
• The FH driver now calculates the Polyline Start Delay correctly. This was causing small letters to not be marked.
• ActiveX now can get USB disconnect/connect events. This has been shown in WMAddLine, which is also changed.
• Added the 2d barcode upgrades, PrintGrowth and rounded rectangle.
• Added the MicroPDF barcode format.
• Changes to install file to include support for Windows Vista and firmware updates for Flyer.
• Fixed multiple Tracking and Wait Digital / Match Digital issues on Flyer. These changes also require firmware 1.02 or better running on Flyer.
• The install was not correctly cleaning the registry when the user selected to perform a clean installation. This has now been corrected and the install has been updated to reflect the registry changes necessary to keep V5 separate from V4. In addition, the user is shown that the install for V5 is new and is using a blank key by the “Perform Clean Installation” and “Keep Current Program Settings” choices being grayed out on the “Save Current Registry Settings” dialog. This is a visual cue that V5 is installing under the new V5 key and will be a clean install as is.
  
  NOTE: Performing a clean install with V5 will leave the Settings for V4 as is.
  
  Important Note: Performing a clean install with V4 will wipe the V5 and V4 settings.
• The installation program now does a better job of forcing windows to install the newer drivers for the FH and USB. This was a problem under XP and Vista when an older version had already installed the drivers and the newer version was not replacing them.

Version 5.0.0.5497

Released 2/20/2007

• Release to Production

Miscellaneous issues:

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Mark Count property and Tracking: When tracking with FH Flyer, the value assigned to the Mark Count property (on the Marking tab for the Drawing object) will vary depending on whether you are operating Flyer in WinMark control mode or Stand-alone control mode. Under WinMark control, set Mark Count = 1 to track continuously as directed by input automation. In Stand-alone control, set Mark Count = 0 in order to track continuously.

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We strongly recommend that all ActiveX control methods use inches as the unit of measure. Program your calling program to calculate the conversion to inches from other units of measure. Unpredictable object placement may result if the Show Units Type property in the mark file is set to millimeters or centimeters.

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Linked objects in serialized arrays do not work. This is handled with a message and an error.

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For best results when marking bitmap (raster) images, set a Resolution value that corresponds to 100–150% of the spot size generated by the selected focusing lens. For example, a 200mm lens with a spot size of 0.011” is capable of marking approximately 100 discrete dots per inch.

Generally, set Resolution equal to 200–300 when using an 80mm lens; 150–225 for a 125mm lens; 100–150 for a 200mm lens; and 50–75 when marking with a 370mm lens.

After changing Resolution and/or resizing the image, test mark the bitmap image. Use the Color Reduction Method property (Format tab) to change the color reduction algorithm as required. This change is performed on the original image, which is stored by WinMark during importation. Note that the screen display does not necessarily indicate the improved mark quality, so test marks are required.

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When serializing text strings containing lower case letters, the text string may shift up when lower case letters with descenders (g, j, p, q, s, y) are marked. This occurs because the Fixed To Position property defaults to "Center". Set the text Fixed To Position property to "Top Left", "Top Middle", or "Top Right" for best results.

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Some Adobe Illustrator version 7.0 .AI or .EPS files may not import properly. If this occurs, save the file as a version 5.0/5.5 (or lower) .AI or .EPS file and then re-import into WinMark Pro. Alternatively, you may Copy (or Drag) from Illustrator and Paste (or Drop) into WinMark Pro.

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Some AutoDesk AutoCAD version 14 .DWG or .DXF files may not import properly. If this occurs, save the file as a version R12 .DWG or .DXF file and then re-import into WinMark Pro. Alternatively, you may Copy (or Drag) from AutoCAD and Paste (or Drop) into WinMark Pro.

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WinMark Pro’s File Import Filters do not support AutoCAD 2000 files formats. Choose “Save As” (DWG) or “Export” (DXF) and then choose to create the drawing as an R12 version. Alternatively, you may Copy (or Drag) from AutoCAD and Paste (or Drop) into WinMark Pro.

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Using ActiveX, Automation (Inputs/Outputs), and Tracking: When controlling Tracking using ActiveX control methods, do not place Input automation in the mark file. Instead, perform any input automation functions within the ActiveX control program. By doing this, your control program is in charge of pre-mark and post-mark automation; WinMark’s MarkDrawing control method only maintains control of the operating system long enough to control laser on/off commands during the actual marking process. Performing input automation within the mark file may prevent the ActiveX control program from regaining control of the operating system once the MarkDrawing command is called.

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Using WinMark Pro or WinMark Launcher, Automation (Inputs/Outputs), and Tracking: When controlling Tracking using WinMark Pro or WinMark Launcher, do not use the Wait Digital Before Piece property on the Automation tab. This property is reserved for Tracker input functions (part sensor on IN0 and encoder inputs on IN1/IN2). Automation using Event Builder commands or other input/output commands on the Automation tab works as expected.

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Very small objects (such as circles) may not display or mark precisely when imported into WinMark Pro from a CAD or illustration program. Best results are obtained by creating the objects directly in WinMark Pro. WinMark Pro is capable of displaying and marking objects drawn to four decimal place (one-ten thousandth of an inch) accuracy.

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Text Height set on Format tab does not match Object Height shown in Object Transformations dialog box. For TrueType fonts, the Text Height value corresponds to the uppercase cap height of the font. The Object Transformations Object Height is the sum of the uppercase cap height plus the space above and below provided for ascenders and descenders. Note that Stroke font heights are variable (depending on the designer) and do not strictly conform to this description.