31
7.10 Advanced Macro Tools
The Advantage2 supports two advanced macro tools which can be implemented via Direct Editing to enhance
macro performance and increase the likelihood obtaining the desired playback results on a particular system:
1) a faster or slower playback speed can be selected which will override the Global Macro Playback speed
setting (covered in Section 7.1) and 2) one or more brief delays can be inserted into a macro.
Individual playback speed settings for macros
In Section 7.1 setting the Global Macro Playback Speed is discussed in detail. In general, most macros
should be played back at the fastest possible speed to eliminate unnecessary delays. But certain macros may
require a slower playback to achieve the optimal results on your computer. If that
’
s the case, its best to lower
the playback speed of problematic macro individually to ensure it functions properly. To modify a specific
macro
’
s playback speed, simply input the desired speed in braces (see Fig 23 for the nine speeds) before the
characters/actions whose speed you wish to modify. Multiple speed modifiers can be included in a single
macro.
Syntax Example 8. The optional left foot pedal plays back the text macro "fast slow", where the word
“
fast
”
is
played at speed9 and the word
“
slow
”
is played at the speed1.
{lp
-
tab}>{speed9}{f}{a}{s}{t}{space}{speed1}{s}{l}{o}{w}
Adding delays to a macro
Another mechanism for optimizing macro playback is to introduce one or more internal delays between
certain critical key actions. The Advantage2 supports two different delays: 125ms and 500ms (milliseconds).
These delays can be used separately, or in combination, to create a delay of any length in increments of
125ms. To insert a delay, use curly brackets around the delay time and a
“
d
”
in front of the chosen increment:
“{
d125}
”
or
“{
d500}
”.
Note: Attempting to insert a delay other than 125ms or 500ms will cause an error.
Syntax Example 9. The Volume Down key location (keypad layer) plays the
“
Page up
”
action, delays 500 ms,
then plays the
“
home
”
action.
{vol
-
}>{pup}{d500}{home}
Syntax Example 10. The Hyphen key plays
“
F1
”
then delays one second (1000 ms = 500ms +500ms), then
plays the
“
mute
”
action.
{hyphen}>{f1}{d500}{d500}{mute}
Incorrect syntax or language
If incorrect syntax or language is used in a layout configuration file, the keyboard will usually resort to the
default action for that Location Token. However, in some cases pressing a key that has invalid programming
may not produce any key action at all. If problems arise, remaps and macros can be erased manually by
direct editing the problematic lines of
“
code
”
in the layout configuration file or by reversing any custom
programming using the appropriate onboard programming shortcuts, examples below.
Note: If multiple
remaps are assigned to the same Key Location, the keyboard will typically output the lowest line of code.
Restoring a key to its original action
Enter Program Remap Mode (progm + F12) and tap the target key twice–
once to set it as the Source action
and once more to set it as the Destination key.
Erasing an existing macro
Press Program then F11 to enter Program Macro Mode, then tap the trigger key(s). Instead of recording
macro content, simply tap the Program Key to record an
“
empty
”
macro
”
and exit Program Macro Mode.
“
Commenting Out
”
language in a layout file
If you wish to temporarily disable a specific macro or remap in a given layout, it is possible to simply add an
