Controlling the Launcher software

This documentation describes how to control your USB Missile Launcher

Main Window
Preferences
Keyboard Controls

Main Window

The window below is the main application window, it is presented when the application is started.
Main Window

Connecting your USB Missile Launcher
If no USB Missile Launcher is connected when the program starts up, the "Launcher Messages" window tells you that no launcher can be found. The USB Missile Launcher NZ software supports USB Hot Plug and Play, thus you can connect a launcher while the software is running. You can also connect more than one launcher at a time, the software will control all of the connected launchers. (I've tested two so far!).

Unlock the Launcher
To begin controlling the USB Missile Launcher you much unlock the launcher. The Lock/Unlock slider is a safety feature of the software that is automatically trigged by a timer. You can change the timer in the preference settings.

Launcher Messages
The software provides feedback to you on manual and automatic actions. Read the messages in this window to gain a understanding of what the software is doing.

Video Camera Support
Video Camera support is provided so that if you are in some way able to mount a Firewire video camera ontop of your launcher, you can see on screen what the launcher sees. You can optionally record a video (quicktime movie) of your session. The recorded file is always called "USB Missile Launcher NZ.mov". If you want to change thus, click on the button to "Change Capture File".
If you start the software without the camera connected or turned on, you can turn it on later and click the "Video Window" button.
If you have more than one camera, click the "Video Settings" button which will allow you to change your video source amongst other settings.
Note: the quality of the recorded movie is somewhat better than what is displayed on screen.

Record/Pause/Stop
You can record Missile Launcher quicktime movies by using the buttons provided. After pressing record the button will change to "Pause". You can record/pause as often as you like. When you have finished press the stop button. The program will automatically run Quicktime Player to display the movie.

Launcher Draw

The window below is displayed as a draw under the main application window when the launcher safety lock is released. Controls

Use the arrow buttons to move the USB Missile Launcher in the desired direction.

Test
The test button will rotate the launcher to the top right, back to the middle (verticle Axis) and back to the middle (horizontal Axis) then Fire.

Park (no fire)
The park button will rotate the launcher to the top right, back to the middle (verticle Axis) and back to the middle (horizontal Axis). While doing so the Warning Klaxon will sound.

Abort
This button has limited functionality. Repeadly pushing this may help abort a previous action.

Fire
If you don't know what this does....

Fire 3
Fires all three missiles. A limitation (or safety feature) in the hardware does not permit faster firing.

Video Window

This is what it looks like, complete with gun sight target.
Note: The gun sight is not recorded in the Quicktime movie at this time.
Camera Window

Feedback

You feedback is greatly appreciated. It help with application development and setting priorities for development.
The Feedback window allows you to key in a message to the program developer. Pressing send will cause an e-mail to be sent to the developer. Only the message you key is sent to the author, no other information is sent.

Preferences

Preference settings let you alter the way the application works for you.

General
The General preferences let you control the number of seconds before the launcher will "auto lock" - i.e. enable the safety lock.
If you set the number of seconds to zero, the auto lock will not engage.
Preferences - General

Sound
The Sound preferences let you change the default sounds for "Launch" and "Warning Klaxon".
Note: the sound timing can be sensitive, that is the warning klaxon when played furing the Park sequence is triggered two or three times.
Click the Choose button next to each sound type to select a new sound.
Click the Play button to test your sound.
Sound On/Off is self explanitory (I hope!)

If you really get all mucked up, click the Default button to reset the application to the default sounds as supplied with the program.
Preferences - Sound

Keyboard Controls

With the Launcher safety lock released, the keyboard arrows allow you to control the launcher, additionally th numeric keypad also allows you to control the Launcher.

Left Arrow	Moves the Launcher to the Left
Up Arrow	Moves the Launcher Up
Down Arrow	Moves the Launcher Down
Right Arrow	Moves the Launcher to the Right
4	Moves the Launcher to the Left
8	Moves the Launcher Up
2	Moves the Launcher Down
6	Moves the Launcher to the Right
7	Moves the Launcher to the Top Left
9	Moves the Launcher to the Top Right
1	Moves the Launcher to the Bottom Left
3	Moves the Launcher to the Bottom Right
5	Fire