NAME
WorkBench2
DESCRIPTION
This module allows precise control over a numeric parameter because
Explorer's slider widget, by itself, is insufficient for the task. This
"Current Value", within a user-specified range, can be adjusted with
VCR-like buttons. The buttons allow stepping forward ("F"), backward
("R"), fast forward to the end ("FF"), and fast reverse to the start ("RR")
through the range. The step amount can be adjusted as well. The range
for the numbers can also come from an input lattice in which case it
would be from 1 to the number of grid points along a particular axis. The
axis is selected with the "Axis Info" widget which allows the use of up to
four axes or none at all if a lattice is connected. One possible use for
WorkBench2 would be with modules such as OrthoSlice to control the
slice number.
In addition to this manual control, WorkBench2 also provides automatic
control which can be used as a basic animation system. It is enabled by
pressing the "Fire" button. This steps through the entire range a
number of times specified by the "Repeat" setting. The direction of the
stepping can be controlled by choosing "Forward", "Backward", or
"FlipFlop". When the firing sequence is started, the numbers are just
sent out on the "Current Value" port one after the other. There is no
timer control or anything like that. Although, a module such as
SwitchTimer could be used to create a delay.
This module is meant to replace the WorkBench module which lacks two
necessary features. First, when "Current Value" reaches the end of the
range it loops back to the start on the next step. This essentially
creates an infinite loop if some sync parameter is wired into one of the
VCR-like buttons. It should stop updating "Current Value" when the
end of the range is reached. The second problem is that pressing the
"Fire" button updates the "Current Value" slider, but doesn't actually
send out all the values. For some reason, only the last one goes out on
the port. WorkBench2 remedies these two situations. It also does away
with WorkBench's "Mode" control since the setting of the "Repeat"
slider is all that is really needed to repeat the firing sequence.
INPUTS
Input -- Lattice (Opt.)
(1..4-D).
This is an optional input lattice which can determine the looping range.
WIDGETS
Axis Info -- Option Menu
This is the axis from which to get the bounds of the looping range (from
1 to the number of grid points). This widget is initially hidden if there is
no input lattice.
Start -- Slider
This is the starting value of the looping range. It is also mapped into
the lower bound of "Current Value".
End -- Slider
This is the ending value of the looping range. It is also mapped into
the upper bound of "Current Value".
Step -- Slider
This is the step that will be applied to "Current Value" when it is
affected by incrementing or decrementing button presses.
Repeat -- Slider
This is how many times to repeat the firing sequence.
Current Value -- Slider
This is the current value in the "Start" to "End" range. It is typically
wired to single-value ports on other modules.
Direction -- Radio Box
This determines which way to step "Current Value" through the firing
sequence. "Forward" is from "Start" to "End", "Backward" is from
"End" to "Start", and "FlipFlop" is is a combination of "Forward" then
"Backward".
Fire -- Button
This steps through the loop range specified by the "Start", "End",
"Step", and "Repeat" settings.
FF -- Button
This sets "Current Value" to "End".
RR -- Button
This sets "Current Value" to "Start".
F -- Button
This sets "Current Value" one "Step" unit higher.
R -- Button
This sets "Current Value" one "Step" unit lower.
KNOWN PROBLEMS
If the module is set to fire automatically over a large range of numbers
and/or through many repetitions, it may not be possible to stop it very
quickly. There are no known bugs.
SEE ALSO
Switch, SwitchTimer, WorkBench
-
Hans Vahlenkamp (Hans.Vahlenkamp@noaa.gov)
Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory / NOAA
Princeton University Forrestal Campus
http://www.gfdl.noaa.gov
