Technical Issues & FAQ

This page can be reached from Help...FTG Web Site in any FTG program
 

Aborting a BASIC program (updated 19 Sep 2012)

When running a BASIC program from the IDE (editor) it's easy to quit: just click the red END icon.

When running from a macro button add line MainEvents = True to enable the Abort BASIC menu command shown below. This works in all FTG Software programs.

While this capability has been available for some time (DESIGN 2.30.1305 and MEASURE (Scantraq) 2.30.1101) we thought it was too easy to inadvertently stop a lengthy macro (e.g. multiple spectra measured over a wide temperature range). This issue has been addressed in DESIGN 2.61.3052, and MEASURE (Scantraq) 2.51.1347 with a new confirmation dialog: click Yes to quit BASIC or No (default) to continue. Note that quitting may not be immediate. Back to top

Absorptance in layers

FilmStar DESIGN calculates absorptance vs. wavelength and absorptance vs. thickness (differential absorptance) for specified layers. While most designers never use these capabilities, they are important for solar cells and other active devices. Calculations can also be applied to the design of laser-resistant coatings. Note that Side 2 Compensation = FWD ignore/include Side 2.

Sample file absorp.zip contains FILM Archives absorp1.faw & absorp2.faw, Excel 97 model absorp.xls and DESIGN Workbook absorp.vts. Integrating differential absorptance over layer thickness gives total absorptance for each layer at the specified wavelength. (This corrects a previous definition where results were normalized by total absorptance.) Methods for verifying results are given here. Back to top 

Adding audio to BASIC

Using ActiveX server audio.exe based on Microsoft library mci32.ocx, it is very easy to add audio to FilmStar (Scantraq) BASIC programs. A typical application is informing QC technicians when a scan is completed. A sample BASIC program plus support files are provided in audio.zip. Back to top

AR for two substrates

Need to optimize a coating for two substrates? This can be accomplished by changing the substrate index during each iteration. An example is given in bbar2sub.zip. Copy the .bas files to c:\winfilm\basic32; copy bbar.faw  file to c:\winfilm\designs; copy bbar2sub.xls to c:\winfilm\workbook.  Open FILM Archive bbar and click Evaluate... Workbook (<F3>) to activate the FilmStar Workbook. Close any open worksheets and open bbar2sub.xls. Just click Optimize... Optimize (<Ctrl+O>) to proceed. Back to top 

Black scroll bars

A UK user reported that grid scroll bars in dialogs such as the Data Table (<F8>) sometimes turn black thereby making scrolling inconvenient. We were not able to reproduce this error, but the user reported that our suggested fix solved the problem:

File... Configuration... Preferences... <Grid Style>... Grid... Type... Classic.

Back to top 

C++ How-to

Thanks to Charles Anderson at St Gobain for supplying the following step-by-step tutorial on utilizing FilmStar as an automation server for applications developed in C++.

It is very easy to create an MFC automation C++ client that uses FilmStar DESIGN (MEASURE) as an automation server. To do this :

1. Using Visual C++ Studio create a new MFC application using MFC AppWizard (.exe). In step 3 check the Automation checkbox.
2. With the Class Wizard create a new class. That is, select the "Add Class" button and afterwards select "From a type Library". A file selection dialog box appears. Files appear withe the extensions "tlb olb and dll". However, change this to all files and go to the Winfilm folder. Select the Design1_32.exe file and select the Open button. A Confirm Classes dialog appears with _clsMain and _clsBasic as the new C++ classes and Design1_32.cpp and Design1_32.h as the files that will implement the classes. Select the OK button and the classes are created.
3. To use the classes somewhere in the application create instances of the new classes. That is add the lines :

_clsBasic filmStarInterface;
_clsMain filmStarProgram;

For the _clsBasic class (the _clsMain is the same) add the lines

if (filmStarInterface.CreateDispatch(_T("FtgDesign1.clsBasic")))
{
    // success
}
else
{
    // problem
}

Note that automation ProgID is called "FtgDesign.clsBasic". The program is now ready to call the methods such as with the lines :

CString m_design("4G 40M");

filmStarInterface.SetAngle( 60.0);
filmStarInterface.SetDesign(m_design);
filmStarInterface.Calculate();
filmStarInterface.DataCopy();

That is all there is to it.  Back to top

Cary UMA doesn't connect

Even though MEASURE is not visible, it is possible that a previous instance of Mcary5U.exe was not terminated and has not released the Cary driver. In that case you can open Task Manager and delete spurious copies of Mcary5U.exe under Processes.

Quick alternative: Download KillMcary5U.exe to your desktop. This deletes one or more instances.

Coating both sides

Users familiar with other software might erroneously conclude that DESIGN does not have a way to input Side 1 and Side 2 layers. Instead, DESIGN offers the more powerful capability of treating substrates as Massive Layers, thereby allowing multiple substrates with films on some or all sides. Referring to Setup.. Film Indices, entrance medium AIR is 1.0 and exit medium SUB 1.0.

Combining layers in MONITOR

When importing a design containing parentheses, MONITOR expands groups and combines layers of the same type: '1H 1H' -> '2H'. In some cases you don't want that to happen.

To prevent combining, before saving in DESIGN, expand the design in the Layers Editor with 'Edit.. Combine Layers' UNCHECKED. Then save the design or FILM Archive for loading into MONITOR.

Configuration not saved

Your computer does not retain capacity settings, preferences or file locations? Probably you are in an organization with overly restrictive IT policies.

File.. Configuration entries are stored in *.ini files in C:\Winfilm\Config or C:\Scantraq\Config. These are sometimes not saved because users do not have appropriate permissions. The problem can be seen by right-clicking on an .ini file name in Explorer and examining Properties.. Security. If it is not possible to edit Permissions and add Write, contact your IT manager to fix the issue. We suggest that you also demand full rights to update (reinstall) FTG programs.

Correcting measured spectra in DESIGN

FilmStar MEASURE performs the following calculation in order to correct raw spectrophotometer measurements.

Standard * (Sample - Baseline)/(Reference - Baseline)

With a modern instrument where the baseline is reliably zero, this calculation is not normally required in transmission. It is, however, required in reflection measurements. Hitachi and Shimadzu users who cannot use MEASURE can perform similar calculations in DESIGN on imported spectra. While the calculation is readily performed in FilmStar BASIC, you can also use the FSPlot Formulator to evaluate a formula over an entire spectral range. The process goes like this:

a. Import measurements and convert to the same wavelength range by using Sub DataConvert.

b. Use the FSPlot Formulator to correct the spectrum. Assuming that Baseline data is in column B, Reference data in column C, Sample data in Column D and Standard in Column E, the corrected spectrum is given by the following formula. Once everything is set up correctly, pressing <F9> runs the formula without showing the formula editor.

F = E*(D-B)/(C-B);del B;del B;del B;del B

c. After inspecting the plot, click Edit...Copy Data to copy a corrected spectrum to the clipboard. (The "del" commands remove unwanted columns C-F.) Warning: a spectrum will be clipped if the data goes above or below graph limits. Try -10 to 110 to make certain that clipping is avoided.

 A BASIC macro encapsulating the above steps is easily developed. BASIC Sub PlotDataCopy copies FSPlot spectra to the clipboard. Back to top

Deleting rows in Excel

Suppose you have a column of data, say a spectral weighting function, corresponding to a 1 nm interval. You want to copy and paste this into a FilmStar Workbook model, but prefer to convert it to a 2 nm interval in order to speed up calculations. This task is readily accomplished with the following Excel VBA program:

' Excel VBA code to delete every other line beginning at StartRow
Const StartRow  = 4  ' starting row number
Sub Main()
    Dim s$, i&
    i = StartRow
    Do Until Cells(i, 1) = ""
        If Val(Cells(i, 1)) Mod 2 = 1 Then Cells(i, 1).EntireRow.Delete
        i = i + 1
    Loop
End Sub

If you use the macro recorder to clear a spectral range, it only applies to a range of the same size and position. The following shows a more general way to clear a range; you only need to specify the upper left cell location ULeft$, for example "$A2".

Sub ClearList(Byval Sheet$, Byval ULeft$)
    On Error Resume Next
    Sheets(Sheet$).Select: Range(ULeft$).Select
    Range(Selection, Selection.End(xlToRight)).Select
    Range(Selection, Selection.End(xlDown)).Select
    Selection.ClearContents
End Sub

 Back to top

Designs don't work on new computer

This error typically occurs after installing FilmStar on a new computer and copying previous designs and data files. The problem is that settings in c:\winfilm\config\design1.ini were not transferred.

1. Check directories in File...Configuration...Directories.
2. Check values in File...Configuration...Capacity. It is possible that previous data files expect larger data arrays than currently allowed.
3. Check entries in User Index Functions, Macros, and the Workbook.

A convenient procedure is to save the original design1.ini (measure.ini, scantraq.ini) to floppy or USB stick on the original machine and copy it to the new machine. Then, if the FilmStar data directories on the new machine are different from the original, open design1.ini in Notepad and modify paths via global search and replace. Back to top

Dialogs off-screen, possible freeze

Excel DDE doesn't work!!

Yes it does! DDE requires brackets around commands. Otherwise the system hangs up. VBA format should be as follows:

Sub Main()
    ch& = DDEInitiate("DESIGN1", "Main")
    DDEExecute ch&, "[Fred;]"
    DDETerminate ch&
End Sub

Names used in DDEInitiate are as follows: DESIGN1, MPE983, MPE19AX, MHP8453, MH3410, MCARY5, MCARY5U, MPE950, MPE1050. Click here for information about DDE with FileMaker. Back to top

Excel XLSM workbook broken?

We were puzzled when an Excel XLS workbook was saved as XLSM and failed to work. An example can be found here. We assumed it had to do with ActiveX communication, but the Excel bug revealed itself as something else. Saving RunDESIGN97.xls as RunDESIGN97.xlsm changed button names from cmdCalculate and cmdQuit to ButtonCommand1 and ButtonCommand2.

With hundreds of millions of users, we wonder how an obvious bug like this wasn't fixed. (We were using Excel 2010 and it is possible that the bug was fixed later.) Note that RunDESIGN2007.xlsm illustrates a different approach for connecting with DESIGN.

Extended Materials

Note added March 2012: Users with many materials
should use Stack Mode instead of Extended Materials.

Setting Film Indices (in File Configuration Capacity) to a number n > 52 places DESIGN into Extended Materials mode. Since designs in this mode are incompatible with normal designs, the facility should only be utilized if more than 52 materials are actually required in one design! In normal operation, letters A-Z (+ a-z when n > 26) indicate film materials. When n > 52, letters are replaced by numbers enclosed in square brackets with the numbers corresponding to those in the Film Indices editor. That is,

.06502H .08876L .53248H .25093L

is replaced (replacement is NOT automatic) by

.06502[2] .08876[1] .53248[2] .25093[1]

where the Film Indices editor looks like

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FilmStar Administrator

Function FileOpen disabled error message (MEASURE BUG)

It appears the bug was introduced in Feb or Mar 2022.

Sub Main
    FileOpen "C:\Winfilm\Measure\PE-Lam9.scw"
End Sub

Fixed in 2.51.2063. If you can't update, there's an equivalent workaround:

Sub Main
    Macro "PARAMOPEN C:\Winfilm\Measure\PE-Lam9.scw"
End Sub

Getting started with MS Office

Need to integrate FilmStar with Excel or Word but have no idea what to do? Try the following example. It will work without DESIGN being open.

In Excel access the VBA editor (Alt+F11). Click Tools References. You should see FtgDesign1 listed as a Reference. Check this to add it to your project. You will find it listed in the Object Browser with two classes: clsBasic and clsMain. Now open a new module and try the following VBA program:

Sub Main()
    Set dBasic = New FtgDesign1.clsBasic
    Set dMain = New FtgDesign1.clsMain
    k = dBasic.Macro("Fred;")
    On Error Resume Next 'prevents error 440
    dMain.Quit
End Sub

Now that you have a working example, you will be inspired to Read the Manual. Back to top

Graph not displayed in Report Generator

Import TFCalc designs (updated Jan 2021)

TFCalc *.mat materials files must first be converted to FilmStar *.itw files (see section below). Film thickness must be in nm; set FilmStar DESIGN accordingly in Setup Parameters.

Verify that the design is correct by comparing results in both programs. When comparing, be sure to check the setting for Side 2 Compensation in Setup Parameters. Wavelengths will not match if Inverse wavelength spacing was selected in Graph Axes.

Excel aficionados: DDE runs the following macro sequence to calculate and plot the spectrum.

k& = DDEInitiate("Design1", "Main")
DDEExecute k&,"DESIGNPASTE;AXESDRAW;CALCPLOT;"
DDETerminate k&

Private Function IsRunning%(p$)
    'https://stackoverflow.com/questions/29807691...
    Dim objList As Object
    Set objList = GetObject("winmgmts:").ExecQuery _
      ("select * from win32_process where name='" & p$ & "'")
    IsRunning = objList.Count
End Function

 Back to top

Import TFCalc materials

FilmStar INDEX BASIC programs TFCalcMatl.bas (import single file) and TFCalcMultMatl.bas (import multiple files) convert TFCalc™ material files (*.mat) to FilmStar n,k files (*.itw). It expects the following format:

Send us samples of TFCalc .mat files which do not work properly, so that we can modify the code accordingly. The BASIC programs require INDEX 2.30.0201 or newer. Need help with FilmStar BASIC? Click here for a tutorial and/or contact FTG Software. Back to top

Import PE spectra (.sp)

PerkinElmer spectral data files of different types (binary, ASCII, Data Manager, PECCS) have the same .sp extension. How can the data be utililzed in FilmStar (Scantraq)? An easy option  is to open the file in UvWinLab and re-store as J-CAMP (.dx extension) which can directly be opened in FilmStar. If this is not convenient, here are further options:

• Import binary PECCS files via BASIC subroutine Sub Pe19SpOpen
• Use programs pe-sp1.bas, pe-sp2.bas (basic32.zip) to import .sp ASCII files
• Convert .sp file to J-CAMP (.dx) with PE program pecnvrt.exe

The last choice can convert multiple files. Copy the program to c:\uvwinlab. New files are created in c:\uvwinlab\convert. Back to top

Index Functions updated in DESIGN 2.23.6001

Examples of Index Functions based on TiO2 data sets will be found in subdirectory c:\winfilm\index\functions. Start FilmStar INDEX and temporarily switch to this directory in File...Configuration...Directories (remember to switch back later). Open a file. Click Functions...Plot to visually see the fit and Functions...Fit Coefficients to review numeric values. If you open an Index Table in INDEX (or FILM Archive file in DESIGN) which references a function not currently in the list of built-ins, that function is automatically added.

2. In DESIGN, the same list of built-in functions will be found in the Film Indices editor under Edit...Built-in Functions.

3. Initial estimates for highly nonlinear functions CYGEN and CYGENK2 may be especially elusive. Depending on your data, there could be multiple solutions providing equally good fits. If you have difficulties with these or with other built-in or user-defined functions, send us your n,k tables (*.itw or Excel format) as e-mail attachments. Thanks to Steve Tuenge for suggesting function CYGEN (Generalized Cauchy) which he has found very useful over the years.

4. File and Edit menus have been added to the User Index Function dialog. These include facilities to load and save Function Collections (*.itf) (see c:\winfilm\index\examples.itf). Note that a Function Collection is actually the [UserIndex] section of c:\windows\design1.ini. An important use is transferring Index Functions to other users.

Be sure to backup (save as a Function Collection) any functions
that you are using before opening a new Function Collection.

The Edit menu lets you delete functions and alphabetize function names.

5. File aconst.itw can be used to test the following Index Functions included in examples.itf: ACONFM (uses formula), ACONVB (uses FilmStar BASIC program aconst.bas), ACONWS (uses FilmStar Workbook indxfnc.vts), ACONXL (uses Excel indxfnc.xls via DDE).  Back to top

IndexSolve.bas example...Click here for video

IndexSolve.bas (in c:\winfilm\basic32) creates index tables from multiple spectra via DESIGN's DLS refinement algorithm.The tables is then pasted into INDEX. As an example, we simulated measured spectra of 50 nm Ag on 1.52 substrate at 6 degrees and 45 degrees P and S polarization. Relevant FILM Archive and sample files are found in indexsolve.zip.

Copy FILM Archive files to c:\winfilm\designs and spectral data to c:\winfilm\spectra. IndexSolve1.faw creates spectral files and IndexSolve2.faw is utilized when running IndexSolve.bas. Once it is determined that IndexSolve.bas works as expected, it is most instructive to repeat the calculations with spectral noise added. This is accomplished via FilmStar BASIC program AddNoise.bas. Back to top

Index vs. wavelength

The following FilmStar BASIC code generates an index (n, k) vs wavelength table and copies it to the clipboard. Back to top

Sub Main
    Dim w!, xn!, xk!, s$
    Row% = 4   ' Row in Film Indices dialog
    For w = 400 To 700 Step 10
        GetIndex Row, w, xn, xk
        s$ = s & CStr(w) & vbTab & CStr(xn) & vbTab & CStr(xk) & vbCrLf
    Next w
    Clipboard s
End Sub

Invalid license type error

Reinstall FilmStar to eliminate the (Jan/Feb 2021) error. If that is not possible (passwords out-of-date), try this quick fix (hopefully permanent) in C:\Winfilm\Config\common.ini. Contact FTG Software if that doesn't work.

[Install]
License=USB

 Back to top

Invalid procedure call or argument (INDEX Calculate n,k dialog)

Bu default, INDEX 2.51.0524 reviews spectral data before calculating n,k in order to prevent the Invalid procedure... message triggered by invalid data: %R or %T < 0, %R + %T > 100%. While this prevents common errors it does not guarantee that data are otherwise valid. The feature can be disabled in Solve...Spectrum Type Back to top

Lambda 20/40 timeout error

We suspect there are firmware discrepancies in these instruments. If your Lambda 40 (or similar) times out during background correction, try adding the following line under [Configuration] in

c:\winfilm\config\measure.ini or c:\scantraq\config\scantraq.ini

Exit and restart before testing. 

[Configuration]
Lam40AZSCStatus=2

If your Lambda 2 or 20 (or similar) times out during background correction, try the following line: 

Lam40AZSCStatus=1

Please contact us about this. Back to top

Lambda 800/900 common beam filters

Expert mode OFF automatically selects common beam filters as shown below (default mode for PE UVWinLab).

             PE Lambda 900
    Index  Filter   Wave     Type
      1      10    3350     T-LPQ-2.5
      2      9     2620.8   T-LPQ-1.5
      3      8     1670.4   T-LPQ-1.0
      4      7     1190.4   RG780
      5      6     810.4    RG665
      6      5     690.4    OG550
      7      4     562.4    BG38
      8      3     379.2    UG11
      9      2     319.2    T=100% (no filter)
      10     1     150      Glass

             PE Lambda 800
    Index  Filter   Wave     Type
      1      7     950      RG780
      2      6     810.4    RG665
      3      5     690.4    OG550
      4      4     562.4    BG38
      5      3     379.2    UG11
      6      2     319.2    T=100% (no filter)
      7      1     150      Glass

Expert Mode OFF is equivalent to Expert Mode ON with the default filter program built into MEASURE (Scantraq). Note that Expert Mode ON is now required for selecting a single filter for the entire scan (not recommended).  Back to top

Lambda 800/900 Error -241 (Mpe983.exe)

A user reported Error -241 "Hardware missing" after PerkinElmer replaced a board in his Lambda 900. The error is spurious (PE bug?) and, by default, ignored in MEASURE 2.51.1861 and newer.

In the unlikely event that the error arises from a different cause requiring the scan to abort, enter the following under [Configuration] in Measure.ini or Scantraq.ini:

[Configuration]
AbortOnErrN241=-1

Back to top

Lambda Server error (950/1050)

A user reported Lambda Server error: Could not connect to instrument - Object variable or With block variable not set. The problem followed network security updates when IT failed to restore the necessary user-permissions. Restoring permissions resolved the issue. This problem can arise in Mpe950.exe and Mpe1050.exe which both utilize MSLambdaServer.exe.

License key exchange

New computers lack the LPT (parallel) printer port and cannot read HASP LPT keys. Since adding an adapter card does not work, keys must be exchanged for USB types. Pricing is nominal, but current support is required.

After installing and testing new keys, do not return old keys! Please e-mail a photo of the destroyed key(s). We suggest squeezing the plug with pliers as in the above picture.

The same applies to damaged USB keys. If damage is not obvious, squeeze or break off the metal section with pliers. USB keys may be damaged when not removed from laptops. If you tend to forget about the attached key, check USB key shut-down warning in DESIGN File.. Configuration.. Security.

We can quickly supply a temporary software-based license while you wait for your new USB license key to arrive. Click Retry <License Information> and provide us with your Machine ID.

  
  Back to top

Log files (MEASURE/Scantraq)

A running log of input/output activity can help us debug problems in data acquisition. A log file is enabled by adding a line similar to the following under [Files] in

c:\winfilm\config\measure.ini or c:\scantraq\config\scantraq.ini

[Files]
IOLog=c:\winfilm\cary500.log  (or c:\scantraq\cary500.log)

This adds a new Test menu to MEASURE/Scantraq containing item I/O Log Open. When this item is checked instrument commands and responses are stored in the specified file. Since new data is appended, the file can be used repeatedly. Uncheck to close and disable the log file. E-mail the file to us for analysis and add the exact wording of any error messages.

When no longer required, the Test menu is removed by deleting the IOLog entry, or (preferably, since you might need it again) by commenting it out by prefixing the entry with a semicolon, that is ";IOLog= etc".  Back to top

MEASURE Configuration Bug

A bug has been found relating to MEASURE format settings. Really minor, but potentially puzzling. It mostly affects the few users who take advantage of FSPlot File..Customize in FSPlot whereby you save and recall graph format, say for PowerPoint, web pages, etc.

BUG: Entries that should have been saved in ..\Winfilm\Config\Common.ini were saved in ..\Windows\Win.ini. By saving in Common.ini you have common formats in DESIGN and MEASURE. The bug was fixed in MEASURE 2.51.1930 (30 Oct 2018).

Repair: Edit ..Windows\win.ini (Notepad) and transfer the following sections to ..Winfilm\Config\Common.ini

[Collector]
...
[Interface]
...
[GridEnhColors]
...
[PlotModule]
...
[Spectrum2000]
; Probably no one is still using this ancient FTIR
...

Complication: If DESIGN is on the same computer, add any [PlotModule] entries to the ones already there. These correspond to the screen image above:

FormatR=PlotConfig 8742977, 332128, 0|PlotSize...
Format0=Contour PowerPoint gray border\\PlotConfig...
Format1=Contour PowerPoint monochrome\\PlotConfig 8458449...
Format2=FTG web page - no title\\PlotConfig 8461521, 2128...
Format3=FTG web page - title\\PlotConfig 9265225, 102128...
...
Format9=

In this case where DESIGN and MEASURE are on the same computer, the first two entries refer to DESIGN; the remainder to DESIGN and MEASURE.

Mixed materials

DESIGN handles mixed materials via User Index Function Mixed. Here a formula expresses the final index as a function of constituent dispersive indices. A linear mixing model would be expressed as 

n = A*N1+(1-A)*N2
k = A*K1+(1-A)*K2

where N1, K1 are indices for material 1 and N2, K2 are indices for material 2. Here A is the mixing fraction (which can be treated as an optimization variable). Calculated results for TiO2+Ti are illustrated below. Please note that no claim is being made that a linear model is realistic; more complex relationships are easily programmed. 

Porous TiO2 films with packing density < 1 can be simulated by mixing film materials with material Void, where Void is an index table containing values 200 nm, n = 1.0; 1000 nm, n = 1.0; 5000 nm, n = 1.0. Users should verify that results are reasonable; the following program illustrates a method for viewing index values.

  Back to top

Mouse pointer disappears

If you find the mouse pointer disappearing in the main graphics window, try setting Control Panel.. Mouse Properties.. Pointers to a different scheme. We recommend Windows Inverted which, in our opinion, offers the best contrast no matter what the background. Back to top

OCX in BASIC?

At first it appears that there is no way to use OCXs (ActiveX components) in FilmStar BASIC. While you cannot add a component to the BASIC UserDialog Editor, you may be able to use the OCX as an object.

This is illustrated in the following code snippet which records temperature from an Omega DPi32 thermometer. The ActiveX module iSeries10.ocx is provided by the manufacturer.

    Sub Main
    ' IMPORTANT: be sure to add reference to iSeries10.ocx
        Dim iDevice As Object
    ' Found the object name in the Registry Editor
        Set iDevice = CreateObject("iSeriesAlpha10.iDevice")
        With iDevice
            .ServerCommPort=1      ' set COM port
            Debug.Print .LastData  ' read thermometer
        End With
        Set iDevice = Nothing
    End Sub

That's all there is to it. You do, of course, lose any graphics provided by the OCX, but very often you really don't need that anyway. Back to top

Problem with %R Baseline Scan

When measuring reflectance your Baseline scan attempts to compensate for the reflectance attachment. Typically the scan is performed with no optic (or a 'black sample') on the attachment. WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO is check 'Block sample beam during Baseline scan' (or similar label in older versions). This option can be found in PE 983, PE Lambda 800-1050 Scan Method dialogs and is generally intended for transmittance measurements.

Reporting problems to FTG Software

We solve problems by reproducing them with data files sent to us as e-mail attachments. The body of the e-mail should also include a clear statement of the problem, exact wording of error messages, etc. Users with expired annual support may be required to renew.

DESIGN...Enable FILM Archive Mode (File Menu) so that designs and parameters are stored in one file (*.faw, c:\winfilm\designs). Attach the file to your e-mail. There are two choices if your design includes dispersive materials:

1a. Attach ALL index tables referenced in Film Indices (*.itw, c:\winfilm\index). If the problem can be reproduced with constant indices there is no need to attach index tables. Attach all tables (*.itw) listed in Setup.. Film Indices, even if not used in the design. (Simplify by first deleting unused material names.)

1b. Recommended alterative: if using only dispersion tables (not dispersive functions such as Sellmeier and Cauchy), enable Archive n,k Data (File Menu) which embeds dispersion data in the FILM Archive file. THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH DISPERSION.

2. If using a Wavelength List (*.wls) or Wave/Angle List (*.wal) add that as well. As an alternative to a Wavelength List (often used with CIE data), consider using Wavelength Range instead.

3. If you have Subscript out of range errors it is likely that you need to increase values in File.. Configuration.. Capacity. These values are stored in ..\Winfilm\Design1.ini which you could attach to your e-mail.

MONITOR...Upon exiting MONITOR or clicking File...Save All four work.* files are stored in c:\winfilm\monitor. Attach these files zipped into one file. Add index tables referenced in Film Indices.

Alternatively attach the four files referenced in File...Save As. The FILM or FILM Archive file is stored in c:\winfilm\designs and the other three files are in c:\winfilm\monitor.

BASIC...Attach a short code snippet showing your problem. Isolate the problem in the simplest code possible. Long complex programs may entail extra charges.

Spectra...Attach any spectral data files being utilized in DESIGN or INDEX. Or send an Excel .xls file (zipped please) with data pasted therein. If you don't have FilmStar MEASURE, there are a number of options to create data files. See the winfilm\basic32 directory for support for Shimadzu and other spectrophotometers.

Excel...Problems in running FilmStar (server) from Excel (client) or vice-versa cannot be analyzed with "it doesn't work." Please attach the Excel file (.xls or .xlsm) and any FilmStar files required for us to reproduce the problem. VBA code copied and pasted into your e-mail is insufficient! The amount of help provided as part of annual support is at our discretion. This may be useful: Excel (as Client) Reliability.

Please include program version number. This is found by clicking Help...About. If the program absolutely does not open at all, you can get the version number by right clicking the file name in Windows Explorer. Users occasionally report problems that are already fixed. Before contacting us, consult the FilmStar Revisions History page to determine whether a newer release fixes the problem.

In some cases it is useful to attach screen images. This is accomplished as follows:

1. Copy the active window to the clipboard with <Alt+PrtScr> (<PrtScr> by itself copies the entire screen.)
2. Paste into a graphics program which can store in GIF or PNG format.
3. A recommended alternative is to paste images into a Word or Excel attachment; several images can be pasted into a single document.
4. Do not send graphics in .bmp format!  Back to top

Saving Excel data without macros

You need to supply QA data in Excel format and have developed a workbook for the purpose. When you re-save the workbook it includes VBA code as well as extraneous worksheets. What you really need to do is save data only as an Excel workbook without your proprietary VBA code. Is there a way to do this without re-saving the original workbook?

Consider workbook QAFilter.xlsm which creates two data sheets: Spectra and Results. In the following the sheets are selected and saved to a new macro-free XLSX file. The original QAFilter.xlsm is unaltered and may be saved as read-only (recommended) for further security.

Sub SaveScan(Byval PartNum$)
    On Error Resume Next
    Sheets(Array("Spectra", "Results")).Select
    Sheets(Array("Spectra", "Results")).Copy
    ActiveWorkbook.SaveAs Filename:="C:\Winfilm\Spectra\" & PartNum$ _
      & ".xlsx", FileFormat:=xlOpenXMLWorkbook, CreateBackup:=False
    ActiveWorkbook.Close SaveChanges:=False
    Windows("QAFilter.xlsm").Activate
End Sub

In the case that only one worksheet needs to be save, remove the Array statement as in

     Sheets("Spectra").Select

Size of Print Graphics printout

File...Print Graphics creates a graph in the Report Generator that is supposed to fill the page. A user asked "Is it possible to reset the value for my Report Template when I am printing graphics in DESIGN? The current setting in the template is <<Graph 83>> and I would like to have this reset to default to <<Graph 130>>. Any advise?"

Default relative graph size can be changed in the Configuration dialog Misc tab. Another approach is to use a BASIC program to set the size to a particular value.

Sub Main
    t$ = Template   ' save current template
    Template = "<<Graph 130>>"
    k = Macro("ReportShow;")
    Template = t$   ' restore saved template
End Sub

This can be assigned to a macro key. Back to top

Schott filter glass database

SchottFilter.zip (2.4M) contains the installer for the Schott filter glass program Filter '98 that was originally available on SchottGlassTech.com. Back to top

Subscript out of range error

This common error can usually be fixed by increasing capacity in File..Configuration..Capacity.

Too many points in Standard file

The error occurs in FTIR/OOI Servers (Processed Data) when there are excessive points in the Standard file. Fix: Using Notepad, increase StdCapacity in ..\Winfilm\Config\FtgServer.ini as follows:

[PE Spectrum 10]
StdCapacity=10001

After restarting the error message should disappear. We recommend Notepad++ (free) as an alternative to Windows Notepad. Maximum capacity is 32K. Back to top

Transferring FilmStar (Scantraq) to a new computer

If decommissioning an old computer or reinstalling Windows, first copy all Winfilm (Scantraq) subdirectories to a USB memory stick. Then install FilmStar (Scantraq) on your new computer. You next need to transfer data files and custom settings. The following assumes that FilmStar (Scantraq) programs are located in C:\Winfilm (C:\Scantraq) on both computers; if not, adjust paths accordingly.

1. Install from files/setup32.exe or, if FilmStar support is not up-to-date, from the latest version on your hard disk, probably in your Downloads directory. Installation passwords are found at the bottom of the FilmStar News e-mails. If support is not current, check old FilmStar News e-mails for passwords corresponding to the installer's date. Installation issues are discussed here.

2. Copy C:\Winfilm (C:\Scantraq) subdirectories from your old computer to the new; do not copy programs directory C:\Winfilm (C:\Scantraq).

3. Can't open designs with missing n,k tables or user-defined functions? Check 'Can open designs...' in File.. Configuration.. Preferences. You can then import designs and later repair index values.

Note: Attach your USB Security ID Module after installing FilmStar. This ensures that Windows plug-and-play will find it If you have a very old copy of FilmStar you may need to contact us. Back to top