Solid State Logic SL 9000 J SERIES, Operator'S Manual

Page: 380 / 415

Macros
A macro is a string of user-programmable commands that may be executed with a
single keystroke. Well defined macros can replace the tedium of many different,
repetitious or complex keystroke/pen stabbing sequences, and thus may prove
invaluable during a busy production.
Above the timecode display on the computer front panel you will see 20 buttons
designated USER DEFINED FUNCTIONS (see opposite). Although, as the title
suggests, the functions of these buttons are completely user-definable, you may well
find that certain buttons have already been specified with a particular task prior to, or
during the system installation. In this case, they should be clearly engraved to show
their function.
The top two rows of buttons represent ‘Direct Access’ macros. Up to six different
‘layers’ can be selected for these buttons, thus providing up to six different functions
for each button. The buttons in the bottom two rows can only have a single function.
Each of the buttons may be either momentary or electronically latching, depending on
the way in which they are operated. If you press quickly on a button, it will latch on. If
you press and hold down the button for more than a second, its action is momentary
and the function will turn off as soon as the button is released.
As you become more familiar with the SL 9000 J system, you may wish to add to any
existing macros assigned to these buttons, or even change their functions. This section
is dedicated to the creation of macros and their use in practical situations.
The Macro Setup Display
To create a macro or determine the current function of any user-definable button,
select
Define from the FILE/SETUP / Desk Setup menu and the Macro Setup pop-up
will appear (see opposite).
To the lower left of the display you will see ten boxes beneath Direct Access . These
represent the top two rows of buttons on the computer front panel. The Indirect box
below provides access to ten further macros (11-21) which may be actioned indirectly
(ie not from the front panel). Macros 11-16 are provided for inclusion in nested macros;
Macros 17-20 can be actioned from external switches wired to the J Series Computer’s
EXPANSION socket (see the SL 9000 J Series Installation Guide). Macro 21 will be
actioned every time an element of a Project File is loaded. By stabbing on the
numerical box next to
Bank , up to six different layers (0-5) may be selected for Direct
and Indirect Access macros.
The group of ten boxes in the centre of the pop-up (beneath KeyPad Access ) represent
the bottom two rows of buttons on the front panel. These buttons only have a single
layer. Note that, in spite of the implication, these ten boxes/buttons are not associated
with the SSL KeyPad device discussed in Section 7 (see Page 8-15 for details of KeyPad
macros).
Macros
8-1
15.8.96