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Hi everyone,
Sorry if this is a double post - I sent this message last Monday but it
didn't seem to appear on the list. (I think I sent it to the old address).
CarBytes V3 is almost ready for release, maybe this week or next depending
on how the beta testing goes.
There is one small problem though, I have been keeping a list of email
addresses, of interested parties, so that I can inform people when a new
version of CarBytes is avilable. I managed to delete the list (forgot to
save my email address book when reformatting and reinstalling windows) and
so I can't send out the update message.
So.... sorry to ask you to do this again but if ANYONE wants to be on the
CarBytes list and receive updates and info about CarBytes (and ONLY updates
and info about CarBytes) then please just send an email to
paul_blackmore@hotmail.com.
If you have previously sent me information, comments, requests or bugs about
CarBytes and you still have the "most recent sent email" lying around could
you please forward it to me (again) so I can get things back into
perspective, and so I'll know who's who. Also put CarBytes in the subject -
my mail filter will pick it up and add your address to the CarBytes list.
If anyone has *.ald definitions for V2, that they would like to share,
please send in the latest version so I can test the V2 import feature and so
I can include them in the list of available definitions. Also V3 show a
picture of your vehicle, so include a picture (any format) if you can.
Thanks.
Now for the bad news....
I previously stated that I'll keep CarBytes free, this version MAY end up
being shareware or even fully commercial product. The decision is still
pending.
Here's a sneak preview at the new features of CarBytes V3.
- Conversion lookup tables have been implemented.
- Inport/export facility for conversion tables.
- Scale codes (previously called formulas) can now be inverted and/or
reversed. Inverted means to take the reciprocal of the raw value before
calculating the scale. Reversed means subtracting the raw value from it's
theoretical maximum before calculating the scale. The theoretical maximum is
calculated as (2^bits)-1.
- Bit flags can be defined with descriptions for bit=0 and bit=1.
- Enumerations can be defined. i.e. converting numbers into descriptions.
Example: 1="First gear" 2="Second gear" etc.
- Bit flags and malfunction flags can be configured to show up as tick marks
on the charts. Its now very easy to correlate bits being set/reset with
plotted data. i.e. knock sensor can easily be correlated with spark RETARD.
- serial comms have now been integrated into the product - no need for
synchcom.dll
- The RTS/DTR lines can be software selected high/low to drive max232
circuits. Thanks to Doug Hitchens for helping to get the RTS/DTR stuff
tested.
- Mode 4 commands are fully supported, things like set RPM limit, set AFR,
turn on things, turn off things.
- Macros have been simplified and are (I hope) a lot easier to understand.
- Vehicle definitions are exported/imported in XML format. (for once I am
using industry standards).
- A small bitmap of each vehicle may be supplied and is displayed along with
other vehicle information.
- All display colors are user definable (fonts are not).
- A frame counter has been implemented.
- Multiple tables can be requested - so that if the engine data is in table
$00 and the malf flags are in table $01 then both tables can be retrieved on
alternating cycles and CarBytes will process the data correctly.
- V2 import of *.ald files. Although this does require some manual
intervention since there is so much new data to be captured in V3.
- Data is stored in a relational database and the entire database (including
the schema) can be exported in XML format. (It can't be re-imported yet).
- Data entry has been significantly improved.
- All windows are usable on a 640x480 display. (only with small fonts, not
with large fonts).
- Charting has been optimised for speed.
- Charts can now be "scrolled" back through previously plotted data.
- Charts now have a timeline.
- Timing is more accurate (accurate to +/- 2-3 ms)
- The chart inspector now shows all series form all charts simultaneously.
- The aldl, malf and bit flag displays are synchronised with the chart
inspector.
- In fact charting has been given a big overhaul thanks to the efforts of
Robert Meyer who helped out a lot with the design and the look and feel of
the charts in V3. (Thanks Bob).
- A Most recently used list of vehicles is maintained and the last vehicle
to be used is automatically loaded when CarBytes V3 starts up.
- Animation (i.e. plotting charts and displaying values and flags) can be
turned off - so that when using a slower computer more cycles can be
captured per second.
- Two chatter modes are supported - one where chatter is supressed
completely (fast) and one where CarBytes synchronises with the chatter
without suppressing the chatter (slow). The latter mode is how a Tech2
device works.
- Tech1/Tech2 commands can be captured easily and integrated into CarBytes
V3.
- And many more features that I can't remember off the top of my head.
What hasn't been implemented yet, but is planned:
- Printing.
- Modes $02 and $03 (dumping memory) - use V2 for now.
- 160 baud ALDL.
- OBD-II.
- keyboard generated notes.
Thanks for listening...
and thanks to everyone who made suggestions, pointed out problems and helped
with the development of CarBytes.
Paul Blackmore
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